From playing on computers to watching television, children seem to be spending less time outdoors and more time in front of their screens. Yes, learning games and educational TV shows do have their advantages, but nothing compares to learning outdoors and using all of their senses.
Outside children can explore, get messy, splash in water and spot all kinds of wildlife. Without even realising it, children are learning outdoors whilst getting exercise and having fun.
To help you discover the benefits of outdoor learning, here are five outdoor activities suggested by an independent school in Hertfordshire…
- Explore insects
Discover the fascinating world of insects! Using a magnifying glass, let your child study insects up close, watching their behaviour and exploring their homes. Where do they live? How many can they count? Help your child to record their observations in a ‘bug diary’. You will soon see their appreciation of insects grow as they learn more about this magnificent miniature world.
- Grow vegetables
Growing a vegetable patch is a great way to teach your child about where food comes from. It is also an ideal way to encourage more healthy food in their diet. By growing your own vegetables your child can explore seasonality, as well as germination. They will enjoy watching their vegetables grow and then they will have the pleasure of picking and eating their very own produce!
- Feed the birds
Build a bird feeder with your child to encourage different types of birds to visit your garden! Making a bird feeder is a really quick and easy activity. All you need is some bendy wire, string, raisins and some chopped up apple and cheese. Simply chop the apple and cheese into small cubes and then carefully thread these cubes, along with the raisins onto the wire like a necklace. Make a loop at the top to hook it up and that’s it! Once you’ve created your feeder, sit back and observe the wonderful species it attracts.
- Try Geocaching
Geocaching is a fantastic activity for all the family. Participants use GPS technology to search for containers, called “geocaches” or “caches”, at specific locations marked by coordinates. One of the key benefits of geocaching is that it involves being physically active. It also requires children to use their problem solving skills to locate and open the caches.
- Go camping
If you want to spend some quality time outdoors, what about a camping trip? Developing a love and respect for nature is incredibly important for children and camping is an excellent way to encourage this. During a camping trip your child will also learn about survival skills, map reading and how to make a camp fire. It is also a great opportunity for your child to take a break from technology!