Finally, we have arrived at that beloved time of year when we can spend as much time as possible outside with our little ones. The scent of nature awakening, the chirping of birds, and the gentle rays of the sun all awaken children’s inner strength and desire to explore this world. Today, we will share some exciting ideas for active outdoor games for children in the spring.
The best seasonal outdoor leisure ideas for little ones
As the theme of our article is related to the spring season, we have compiled a selection of children’s games for the outdoors that are particularly relevant for this beautiful season. Take a few minutes to pay attention to our recommendations and take note of these ideas!
- Color matching in nature. Spring is the most colorful season of the year, making it a great opportunity to teach your child not only basic colors, but also how to differentiate between shades! Taking a walk around your yard, neighborhood, or local park can be a fun activity for both children and adults. To prepare, cut small cards out of colored paper that you can take with you on your walk. The goal is to match the colors you find in nature to the colors on the cards. This activity will help your child develop attentiveness, broaden their knowledge, and observe the subtle differences in colors and shades.
- Planting flowers. When better to give life to a plant than in the spring? This interesting activity is not only a valuable contribution to your garden’s ecosystem, but also a way for preschoolers to engage in extended outdoor play. Planting a flower is just the beginning – caring for it, watering it, and observing its growth can help your child feel like the owner of their own plantation and develop a sense of responsibility.
- Building a rain shelter. Rain is no reason to stay indoors with your child. Dress your little one for the weather and take them on an active walk, even inviting their friends along. A great option for spring outdoor games for preschoolers is building a shelter from the rain. Going to a forest park area is a great idea – there you can make a mini-house from nature’s gifts! As a parent, it’s best to act as a construction coordinator, while the kids can be divided into teams to each be responsible for their own part of the work. This is one of the best types of active outdoor games for preschoolers, as it not only improves their physical potential, but also teaches cognitive skills, teamwork, and a sense of responsibility.
- Puddle Jumping. Parents usually forbid their little ones from splashing in puddles. But think about it, why deprive a child of such a simple joy in life? After all, children want to explore the world in all its manifestations. Choose suitable clothing, wait for the rainy season, and boldly go in search of puddles! Moreover, interacting with puddles is one of the variations of interesting outdoor games for children. For example, you can suggest that the child jumps along the edge of the puddle, which will strengthen their muscular corset, or you can simply give them the freedom to enjoy their childhood.
- Capture the Flag. The essence of one of the most exciting team games for children outdoors is as follows: first, you need to prepare the requisites. They can be T-shirts and bandanas to use as flags. The brighter the color, the better. Divide the group of children into two teams, if the group of preschoolers is large, you can make more groups. Give each team a requisite, and then give them instructions to hide on their designated territory. Once the game starts, the teams must try to steal the flags from the opposing team and return them to base. Don’t forget to instruct the teams to choose a guard for their base. If during such “chases,” a member of the opposing team touches or marks a player from another group, then the caught player is out of the game. You can find other variations of outdoor group games in our helpful articles for parents.
- Hot Potato. To organize this outdoor game for children in kindergarten, park, or simply in the yard of your house, you will need a ball and a minimum of three people. Start by arranging everyone in a circle and practicing throwing the ball from under your hand. When the game begins, turn on the music or say “Go” and start randomly throwing the ball to each other. When the music stops, whoever is holding the potato is out. In the non-musical version, if you drop the potato, you are out.
- “Classics”. It’s no coincidence that this old-fashioned and fun game is a classic for springtime outdoor activities. Jumping on squares while learning numbers is actually a lot of fun! Let’s refresh your memory that you’ll need chalk to organize the game. Start by writing numbers 1 through 6 on the ground. You can also use simple arithmetic operations based on addition and subtraction to practice a variety of mathematical skills in this fun game. Moreover, jumping will help develop your child’s gross motor skills.
- Water balloon battle. If you’re wondering what to do with your child outside on a warm spring day, think about a water battle! To do this, prepare water-filled balloons in advance and invite the kids to play with the props. Let them throw water balloons at each other or at specific targets. If desired, the kids can also be divided into teams. Whichever group throws more balloons into the target wins!
- Launching a kite. Spring is usually a windy season. So why not take advantage of this option for preschoolers to play outside in the spring? Launching a kite is not only impressive but also educational. Your child will see the wind in action and it’s also a great opportunity to share touching moments with your little one!
These are the active and exciting spring outdoor games for children that we suggest you try this spring. Get ready with the props and take your little ones for a walk to create unforgettable memories!
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