Need some fresh ideas to get your littles exploring outdoors? Here are 25+ that have kept our members’ families very, very busy this week! Whether you’ve got only a handful of minutes or a few hours to kill, there’s something for everyone…
If you have 10 minutes…
- Play drive-by black jack. Sit on your stoop. How long will it take to see 21 cars?
- Run around the house five times. Bring along a stopwatch for added fun!
- Try the secret bucket trick.
- Play Red Light, Green Light around the block.
- Make mudcakes in the backyard. For less mess, try a mobile mud truck: Fill a wagon with dirt/water – instant sensory bin!
If you have 20 minutes…
- Host a chalk drawing contest. Invite neighbors to guest judge!
- Play Tic Tac Toe with sticks and rocks.
- Go for a rock hunt. Fill up an empty egg carton with 12 favorite found stones!
- Enjoy sidewalk hopscotch.
- Climb a tree.
If you have 30 minutes…
- Try nature portraits. Create a face by arranging found nature objects on a paper plate or cut-out circle.
- Make sun prints. Secure leaves and nature objects to a piece of construction paper. Leave out in the sun for the afternoon and enjoy an evening surprise!
- Take a penny walk. Bring a penny to flip. Heads: turn left! Tails: turn right!
- Bury a time capsule.
If you have 45 minutes…
- Go for a nature scavenger hunt.
Craft a slingshot with found sticks and a rubber band. Tree archery, anyone? - Build a fairy garden in the backyard.
- Try birdwatching. Grab a local guide from the library and see how many species you can spot!
If you have 60 minutes…
- Tour a new-to-you park. Keep an ongoing list and rate each as you go!
- Take a photo walk. Bring along a phone or camera and challenge everyone to take pictures of the same items (street signs, flowers, etc) for later comparison!
- Plan a picnic.
- Stargaze. How many constellations can you spot?
- Build a fort. See what kind of structure you can create using only what’s available in the woods.
If you have 2 hours…
- Play tourist. Research the best hot fudge sundae in town, or the tallest slide, or the coolest museum. Try out the top picks – do you agree with the experts?
- Pitch a tent. Backyard counts!
- Host a leaf boat race at a nearby creek.
- Visit a community garden. Rate your favorite flowers!
p.s. Want more? Our bestselling Nature Pack is less than a buck! Happy adventuring!