Aug 14

Aug 14 Outdoor play ideas

in collaboration with Wickey

For me nothing is better then to open the backdoor as soon as I get up and I think my toddler Kiki agrees. When she wakes up she runs outside for a little check on her plants and to have a play, a quick go on the swing is a must before nursery and the best start of the day is if we can have our breakfast at the outside table. To have an outdoor space, any size, is magical especially if you are a child. We love exploring our local parks and of course the nearby beach but the best play dates are always the ones in our own back garden.

Since we moved house we have a bit more outside space and I promised Kiki a swing set to ease her into the idea of moving home. It has become the most used item in our house! Our swing has two sets of hooks so I hung a normal swing but also a crochet swing chair. Kiki loves using both but as the seat its suitable for adults you can often find me in it having a little chill :)

There are lots of other items you can hang from your swing hooks too, like a rope ladder, gymnastic rings, a trapeze or a sensory swing (one of those fabric cocoon things). You just have to click these items on the hooks of your swing set so you can create a different setup every day.

Have a look at the Wickey web site for similar swing sets.

A swing, climbing frame and slide is a great go to for play but during the summer holidays I like setting up different outdoor activities too. Something small to do everyday to enjoy the outdoors and keep the little one engaged, teaching her new skills and simple enjoy garden time together.

Some of our favourites are:

-Teddy bear picnic, a blanket on the grass with lots of cushions, her favourite cuddly toys and if needed a parasol for shade. The perfect spot to have your snack, lunch or diner. Made even better when your friends join you. Just keep an eye on that Kermit the dog, he has his eyes on the plate of snacks :D

-Two big tubs, one full of water on one side of the garden and one empty on the other side. It is so much fun bringing the water from one tub to the other using watering cans, buckets, cups and any other kind of container you can find in your cupboard. This is a great alternative for paddling pool play now we have a hosepipe ban and can’t fill up the pool.

-Balancing beam, screw a small piece of thick timber under each end of a longer plank to make your own balance beam. Great to practise balancing on, use as a road to race cars on or make a few and have amazing the floor is lava games.

-Put a blanket or sheet over your swing set to create a little den, perfect for creating shade on hot days too. Make the most of warm summer evenings and put a mattress in the den and sleep outside. Or just look at the stars for a bit and then go back indoors to the comfort of your own bed :)

-Like water balloons but not the plastic they leave behind? Make environmental friendly water ‘balloons’ by cutting up a few sponges in 2 cm thick strips and tie together with a rubber band. Soak in a bucket of water, throw them, soak and reuse.

-On hot days freeze some plastic toys in a bowl of water. Put the ice in an empty tub so your child can excavate their dinosaur toys with a toy hammer, pour water on the ice to free their doll and learn all about hot and cold temperatures and how you can use warmer water to melt ice.

-Rainbow colour hunt, Find something in the garden from each colour of the rainbow. Arrange on the floor to make a pretty rainbow shape. Don’t have many plants in your garden? Put colourful toys in several spots in the garden they can collect.

-Make a flower arrangement by drawing a vase shape on a piece of cardboard, pierce some holes above the vase with a pencil and find flowers in your garden that you can stick through the holes.

-Pick flower petals, leaves and grass, put them in a bowl of water to make a potion, perfume or soup.

-Animal wash, cover some plastic animals in dirt and give your child a bowl of soapy water, a sponge and a towel to get their animals clean again.

-Painting, a bucket of water and a paint brush so your child can ‘paint’ the fence, the paving stones or the back door. This a great activity and with the warm weather the water evaporates quickly so they can keep painting the same thing over and over again :)

-Slide car races, get all your cars out and see which one is the fastest coming down the slide. Turn this into a competition, put bets on which one you think will win. Don’t have a slide? Use a plank propped up against a garden chair or bench or the balance beam from above.

-Treasure hunt, we love hiding things in the garden to find. This can be a stuffed toy, little trinkets but our favourite are finding caterpillars. Little strip of card that are folded like a harmonica and hidden in between the plants for Kiki to find and put in her basket.

It really doesn’t matter if your garden is 2 by 2 meters or if you have an acre of land, children love being outdoors, love playing outside, exploring plants and inspecting bugs and other wildlife. You can create fun activities in the comfort of your own garden just don’t forget the sunscreen.