In response to the Get Outdoors challenge, a number of readers have asked me for suggestions for engaging their child in outdoor play. One of the simplest ways to begin is to take what they love playing with inside, outside 🙂 Yesterday we took some playdough and figurines outdoors and before long small stones and shells were added to create a magic beach and a margarine container (from the sandpit toys), matchsticks and bottle top (with rocks and seed pods) to form a desert campsite. I suggest that you start with where your child is – what do they love to play with? What are they interested in? And consider, is there is a way to extend this passion by taking it outdoors? Set things up on a table, picnic rug or directly on the grass, step back and see what happens. Hopefully the change of environment will lead their play in new directions and incorporate elements of the outdoor space.
Keep a watch for more helpful tips, ideas and inspiration during Get Outdoors month at Childhood 101.
What have you been playing this week?
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Christie Burnett is a teacher, presenter, writer and the mother of two. She created Childhood 101 as a place for teachers and parents to access engaging, high quality learning ideas.
I really the idea of Get Outdoors Month. We’re trying to do a Green Hour everyday. It’s an hour of unstructured play outdoors everyday. This afternoon I think we might take a neighbourhood scavenger walk and see what we discover. The rain has finally stopped and so there should be some nice creepy crawlies out and about.
I really *like* the idea of Get Outdoors Month 🙂
I’ve been doing some conference presentations on outdoor play and creating an outdoor classroom. I put a linky on my site for folks to share their outdoor play space inspiration and activities. (I often use those link ups in my presentations!) Thanks for offering the challenge and for sharing so many great ideas!
Playdough outside would be lots of fun 🙂
We’ve been going to the park a fair bit, or just enjoying unstructured play outside.
This is a great idea and exactly what we’ve been doing as well. Spring has come, and it’s awesome to stay outside and draw, read or fiddle with sticks. Tomorrow I will get our playdoh out too – thanks for an inspiration!
Your campsite has it all, to the tiniest details. Great work!
What a great idea, taking their play time outside with things they love. The magic beach looks so cool! My son would love it.
Also, thanks for hosting!
Yep, we love taking our “inside” play outside. Works particularly well for my daughter, who isn’t really into traditional “outdoor” play (namely gross motor play). We do most of our art and craft outside too – avoids mess inside for mummy to clean.
Hey – it’s better than playing in mud! Well, at least better for mom. 🙂 Thanks for hosting the link up for us. Such an inspiration!
We have a tiny outside space – so as soon as it’s bright and dry enough we take our inside out too! Your lovely play dough sculptures remind me of when my two children went through a phase of always making shell grottos (or ‘gwottos’) every time we got out the play dough. Even if I didn’t put our shells out, they would always ask for them!