Question:
outdoor activities
SNOW/SAND ANGELS
Who doesn't remember this great winter activity. Of course, you need to be in a climate where snow is available, however, I wonder if there are such things as sand angels? Lie down on your backs in fresh, powdery snow and make snow angels. Swing your arms up and down and your legs back and forth. Get up carefully, and look at the imprint in the snow made with your body. See the wings?
ROLLING LOGS
This is a great outdoor activity in the summer or the winter! Either find a soft grassy area or a spot with new snow on the ground. Have your kids lie down like logs with their hands at their sides. Roll around, keeping your body in a straight line. What designs do you make in the snow (grass)? Who can roll the fastest? Is it easier to roll on a flat ground or down a hill?
FINDING NATURE IN THE CITY
A wonderful sense of interconnectedness can be nurtured… even in the city. With a little preparation, a simple trip to the park provides your child with the opportunity to feed small animals (birds, squirrels and chipmunks) and observe their preparations for the winter.
PET ROCK
Create your own pet rock by collecting a few well-shaped rocks and gluing them together. When dry, paint your new creature, and add features with markers, bits of felt or fabric, pipe cleaners, etc. These make great paperweights to give as a gift, and if you use permanent marker they are great in the garden too!
FISH POND -
Great for birthday parties. Make your own fish pond by covering a very large cardboard carton with a sheet and decorate by attaching cut-out paper fish to the sheet. You can usually obtain a large appliance or furniture box, which would be ideal for this purpose, at a furniture store. If you can't get a box just hang a decorated sheet over a doorway. Use a fishing rod or a stick or yardstick with a string tied to it would do. Tie a clothes pin on
the end of the string. Have a helper sitting in the fish pond (cut out top and back of box to allow him to sit in it to attach favors to the clothes pin when each child goes fishing. I use leftover scraps of gift wrap to wrap the little surprises. Children love to unwrap prizes!
OBSTACLE COURSE
This obstacle course provides experience for a wide variety of gross motor movements and skills. Select a number of things the kids can do in any order, and make an obstacle course in your yard.
1. Make a balance beam with a 2x4 piece of wood.
2. Climb up on a chair and jump off.
3. Jump through a hoola hoop, feet together.
4. Crawl under a table.
5. Swing on a rope and jump off. (best if done Outdoors)
6. Jump over a box onto a mat. (be sure the mat grips the floor and will not slip.)
7. Crawl through a tunnel or under a chair on your tummy.
Kid Frequently Asked Questions
How can I make an easy costume?
