Spring has sprung! Here are some ideas on ways to enjoy being outside with your kids using bubbles, water, or the beauty and space your neighborhood provides.
Bubble games
- Pop bubbles with fingers/hands
- Pop bubbles with toes/feet
- Catch a bubble on the wand and hold the bubble out at various locations to be bubble. Hold it up high to be popped by fingers during an overhead reaching while possibly going up on tippy toes or hold it at knee level to be popped by feet requiring time balancing on one foot while the other kicks.
- Have your child get into a crab position and present a bubble to be popped with one hand or one foot
- Have your child get into a bear position and challenge them to do the same (pop a bubble with one hand or one foot)
- Have your child get into a bridge position and pop a bubble by lifting or lowering their bridge
Water games
- Have your little one help fill up their favorite water table or bucket: fill their personal bucket, cup, or bowl and have them walk it over to a larger one to fill. Start with having them hold a small container that is not all the way full and increase the challenge by using a larger container or filling it more to the top.
- Spray bottle challenge: fill a spray water bottle for your child to use to hit targets such as balloons, through hula hoops, water bottles, or a target made out of painter’s tape. You can incorporate letters, numbers, math, or shapes by labeling or shaping the targets.
- Sponge foot pass: use a large sponge filled with water to set up a few challenges for your child. You can have them carry the loaded sponge while trying to not squeeze or lose the water before getting it across the yard to a designated location or have them lay on their back and use their feet coming together to grab a hold of the sponge to pass along to you, a sibling, or a friend.
- Water balloon toss/catch or roll: if your child is younger, rolling or handing off the balloon is a great place to start. If your child is a little older and working on catch/toss, start close distance and gradually work back.
- Painting with water: this one is great for a warm, dry day. Use paint brushes or paint rollers to “paint” the cement, driveway, or any area you deem acceptable with the water “paint”.
Nature walk
- Go on a spring themed nature walk. Make a list or put together a series of pictures of items to look for when you are out on your walk.
- Make it a movement nature walk. Make a list or chart of movement-based tasks such as walk fast/slow/backwards/sideways, walk up/down stairs, jump down from the curb, jump over cracks in the sidewalk, skip, gallop, hop, run/jog, etc. Include any movements you think your child would enjoy and try doing it alongside of them!
- Check out our Yoga Nature Walk!
Chalk obstacle courses
- Get out the sidewalk chalk and let the creativity flow! Work together to come up with an obstacle course using chalk markings. Some great ideas are hopscotch, long jump, an “X” marking the place to do 10 jumping jacks, a maze or winding path, bunny hops, and basketball shot.