Children need movement and outdoor play. The great outdoors provides a nourishing space for children and adults alike. Sand and mud have always inspired creativity in children with world over. Here are some ideas to help get children out of the house and playing or working happily in the fresh air:
1. Hot Potato - Supplies Needed: boom box; bean bag or at your outdoor picnic, use a real potato! Players stand in a circle, and a parent or teen starts the music. Players pass the potato around the circle until the music stops. Whoever is holding the potato when the music stops is out. Play continues until one winner is declared.
2. Hula Hoop - Contest Supplies Needed: Hula hoop for each child Great for a small group of children. Play music to make it more fun. At the 'Go' signal, players begin 'hula hooping' as long as they can. If the hula hoop drops or players touch it with their hands, they're out!
3. Outdoor Scavenger Hunt - Supplies Needed: printed list of nature items for the hunt; a
location where nature items such as rocks, bugs, leaves, etc. can be gathered Give players or teams the printed list of nature items to find. Some suggestions are rock, leaf, bug, pine cone, twig, something red, yellow, orange, or other color. The first player or team to report back with all of their items wins the prize.
4. Water Balloon Toss - Supplies Needed: balloons filled with water. Divide group into teams of two players and give each team a water balloon. Line the teams up an equal distance apart. Players toss the balloon to their partner; and, then, everyone steps back one step. Keep tossing the water balloon and taking a step back, until one team is left with an intact water balloon.
You will also find some nice ideas at Kikram Kinderkram.
Toys and games for motor skills:
http://www.kikram.de/shop/index.php/cat/c4_Motor-Skills.html
Outdoor marble track:
http://www.kikram.de/shop/product_info.php/language/en/info/p83_Holz-Hoerz-sandbox-marble-track---wooden-toys.html/XTCsid/crv4fbt6so364fpsvf99jsu0o0
Experimental Experience:
http://www.kikram.de/shop/index.php/cat/c15_Experimental-Experience.html
