Children have a natural affinity for science and the outdoors. They delight in taking in all that nature has to offer, including its noises, smells, and sensations. And summer is the best season to encourage kids to study outside.
The world outside your door is a treasure trove of educational opportunities. I\’ve compiled a list of 9 fun outdoor activities that your kids are sure to enjoy.
The Ant Hunt Begins:
Have you heard that an ant can heft twenty times its own weight? Amazingly synchronised behaviour and sophisticated survival strategies of ants fascinate young minds.
Kick things off by showing a clip from Children Learn About The Ant or a similar video. Watch as zoologist Jess examines an active ant colony, complete with a queen and countless worker ants.
Talk over the main takeaways from the video, then step outside to look for ants.
Amazingly Pretty Butterflies:
Children\’s curiosity and awe about the world can flourish when they participate in outdoor learning activities. You won\’t have to scour the horizon for long before you see a butterfly. Butterflies are beautiful to watch as they flit from flower to flower during their life cycle.
Observe butterflies in the wild. Inspire your children to record their experiences through photography or artwork.
Compare and Contrast: Night and Day!
What\’s up next? This outdoor pastime doesn\’t even require a garden! The sky is the limit when it comes to the knowledge you can gain. Inspire your amateur astronomers to keep an eye on the sky and report any changes they see.
Connecting with Earth and Space Sciences, this outdoor activity has youngsters keeping an eye on the sky and landscape over time.
Aesthetics of the Shadows:
Do your children enjoy playing with light and shadow? The use of toys to cast shadows in one\’s own backyard is a brilliant one. This outdoor exercise for kids is a great way to introduce them to the wonders of science. And it\’s wonderful for practicing hand-eye coordination!
Explain to your children that light moves in a straight line as you all have fun with this game. Light cannot travel around or through an opaque object. Thus, darkness is produced. Next, investigate how the movement of the sun affects shadows.
Growing and Planting:
The time to start growing and planting is now. Remember that gardening is a wonderful outdoor hobby for children, whether you have a cress head or a more daring green thumb. Plant some seedlings and watch them expand.
Taking Stock and Making a Count:
Mathematical understanding and jargon are fostered through the use of hands-on (or concrete) items in the classroom. Pebbles, shells, seedpods, and sticks, among other things, can stand in for plastic counters.
Encourage young students to sort their natural things into pairs as a fun and easy task for the early years. Next, have them practice skip counting by 2s and write down the results.
Don\’t forget that learning about addition and subtraction can be done in a variety of contexts.
Painting on a Leaf:
The outdoors is a never-ending source of inspiration for artistic pursuits. Painting and adorning leaves is a fantastic concept.
Create a pattern with a black marker first. The next step is to add splashes of color with acrylic paint with a small paintbrush. If you\’re like that sort of thing, you can even incorporate Aboriginal Art into the classroom\’s curriculum.
Make Your Own Tiny Compost:
Constructing a little compost pile is a fun outdoor activity that also teaches kids about environmental care. Your family will learn about composting and have fun doing it together with this activity.
You\’ll require:
one really big glass jar
the dirt, grass clippings, and leaves that have accumulated in your garden.
outdated newspaper
veggie and fruit waste
One cup of rainwater
A pen with a permanent marker.
Making a Tiny Composting Bin:
Fill your jar almost all the way by alternating layers of soil, newspaper, and organic food scraps.
Put a lid on the jar and fill it with one cup of rainwater.
Drill a few holes in the top for ventilation.
Fill the glass to the brim by drawing a line.
Put the jar in direct sunlight and watch the transformation unfold!
Erect a Stick-Built Structure:
Sticks are an irresistible toy for children. What could be more fun than spending the afternoon learning about architecture, engineering, and equilibrium?
Outdoor pursuits like these test your resourcefulness and determination.
You\’ll agree with me that now is not the time to make students study at their desks all day long. Plus, it\’s a great way to encourage youngsters to spend more time in the great outdoors.