Out and about bingo
Have a chat with your little one about the things they might see whilst out walking, out in the garden (if you have one) or simply by looking outside through the window?
Then, create a simple grid with squares and draw the things onto each square.
It can be as easy or as hard as you like.
Now, see if you can get ‘Bingo’ by spotting all the objects!
Freezing nature
We love this idea from Naturally Learning.
On your next walk encourage the children to collect leaves, seeds, flowers, pebbles or anything that catches their eye.
Then, when you get back, put all the ‘nature treasure’ on a tray to explore and talk about it. Next, fill a tub with water, place the items in the water and freeze!
Once it’s frozen, bring the block back out and talk about what has occurred.
Then, as the ice begins to melt, talk about what’s happening.
Why not add spoons or a little more water? How does the ice feel – cold, wet, slippery?
Happy exploring!
Hairstyles in nature
When you’re next out and about, why not try this simple but funny activity?
Before you go out, draw a face onto a piece of cardboard (the inside of an old cereal packet will do), cut it out, then when you are having your walk encourage the children to put it up against different backgrounds to create ‘hairstyles in nature!’
How many different styles can they make?
Happy hairdressing!
(With thanks to Family Days Tried and Tested for the inspiration and the photos)
Nature bracelet
Next time you’re out for a walk try making a nature crown or bracelet.
This is really simple and fun.
Cut out a piece of card (perhaps from an empty cereal packet) the right size for the children’s head or wrist. Join the ends together to make a crown or bracelet. Cover the card in double sided sticky tape, or if don’t have that, just use bits of normal sticky tape formed into loops.
Then, when you’re out and about on your walk, let the children collect small pieces of nature to stick on it (like small sticks, leaves and flowers).
When home, you could talk about what you’ve collected.
With thanks to Little Hearts, Big Love for this idea.
Happy collecting!
Rainy day scavenger hunt
Rain, rain, go away…we love this rainy-day scavenger hunt from the Crazy Outdoor Mama website!
Taking time to talk about the weather is also a great way to introduce new vocabulary.
Why not encourage your little one to help you check the weather before getting dressed each morning?
They can then choose their outfit for the day.
We hope your little one enjoys being a mini meteorologist!
Sink or float
This is a fun indoor or outdoor activity using a saucepan, some water and interesting toys or objects. It can also be done in the sink, or even in the bath if it’s likely to get very splashy!
Fill up the container with water.
Then, ask your little one to guess whether they think the objects will sink or float before they plop them in!
If outside, perhaps try a range of natural objects as well as some of your little one’s smaller toys.
With older children, you could also sort the sinking and floating objects into two groups and look for anything that’s the same or different about them.
Nature’s TV
When you’re next outside on a walk, why not take a cardboard stencil or frame with you and watch “nature’s TV?”
Using an old cereal packet, encourage the children to cut out a frame or a shape as a stencil, and then place it in different spots.
How different things can look, depending on where it’s been positioned!
Happy watching!
(With thanks to Forest Explorers for the images)
Twig hunt
When you are out and about next, can the children spot any fallen twigs or sticks?
Who can find the largest, shortest, thickest, spikiest, roughest, tickliest or smoothest?
If you are somewhere where there are lots of trees around you, why not lie on the ground and see how many sticks it takes to make a circle around you (tip for the grown-ups – this is a very crafty way for you take a lie down and be still, or vice-versa).
Have a twig-tastic time!
Nature wands
When is a stick not a stick? When it’s a nature wand!
All you need to do when you are out and about, is to remember to take a roll of sticky tape with you.
Then, as you walk along, find a stick. A ‘just right’ sort of stick, not too big, not too small, not too spiky – a stick that’s perfect!
Once THE stick has been found, wind some tape, sticky side out, around it (we used masking tape).
Then, once your wands have enough tape wrapped around them, begin collecting nature treasures by pressing them to the sticky tape: feathers, leaves, flowers, seeds, grass, pebbles. Before long you’ll have a beautiful nature wand!
With thanks to Sun Hats& Wellie Boots for the lovely idea, which not only encourages children to explore outdoor spaces and create nature-based art, but also provides a great way to develop imaginative play and storytelling.
Get Sticky!
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Early Years Alliance is the trading name of the Pre-school Learning Alliance. Registered as a limited company in England and Wales (no. 4539003) Registered as an educational charity with charity number 1096526 Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority VAT Registration Number: GB 830 472 251
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