Outdoor Play Ideas
I Spy
- Play “I Spy” with children. Tell them that today you will only spy things related to construction. Encourage children to spy materials, tools, and machines, and guide them when needed.
- Start the game by saying, “I spy with my little eye something brown.” Children look around and give suggestions until someone says wood.
- Add a physical component by having the child who spied the object perform an action, such as sliding down the slide or throwing a ball to the child who guessed correctly. The child who holds the ball may spy the next object.
Balance Beam
- Place a 2" x 4" or wider length of wood on a flat, secure surface.
- Invite children to follow the leader or to take turns doing various activities, such as walking along the board, jumping off the board, and jumping over it.
- Some children may be able to balance on one foot or hold other poses while standing on the board.
Variation: Children can toss beanbags from about five feet away, trying to throw them beyond the board, or to see who can throw one closest to the board.
Windows and Doors
- Children form a large circle by holding hands at arm's length. The spaces between the children are the windows and doors.
- Choose a child to start the game. That child starts running, trying to go through the windows and doors. Children in the circle try to stop the child from going through by lowering their arms while still holding each other's hands.
- When the child finally sneaks by the other children, he or she joins the circle and another child takes a turn.