We love being out and about in the countryside because it is so relaxing, so inspiring and so enjoyable. I take my children outside every day with the only exceptions being for extreme illness or dangerous weather. Other than that, it's wellies on and off we go.
As a home educating mum the time outside provides me with respite, a moment to centre myself and clear my head ready for he next learning activity. For the children it means exercise, discovery and time to let off steam. Getting outside during the day enables us to re-focus and makes the day run a whole lot more smoothly.
Being an outdoorsy bunch means that we have amassed quite a few good ideas for having fun in the open air over the years. I thought that I'd share some of our activity ideas with you, I hope that you like them.
Here we go:
1. Building a shelter/den.
This requires an adult or an older child. It can be tricky so it is one to do when you have plenty of time to fill. You need to find a long, strong log to form the central pole and then four other main branches which need firmly sticking into the ground. The four outer branches need to be attached to the central pole at the top ( see picture). After this is done the children need to collect lots and lots of branches to slowly build up the outer skin of the den. You need to tie horizontal branches to the vertical poles with string or similar ( something bio-degradable). We are still building our den and plan to insulate the whole structure with dry grasses. For us it is an ongoing project based on our Stone Age research, it could just be a few branches laid against a tree trunk though. The fun is in the building.
2. Climbing.
All children love to climb. My boys have climbing games to add an extra bit of fun to it. They climb separate trees and spy on each other, they shout messages to each other as if in the crows nests of ships, they find the best tree for eating in, the best tree for sheltering in, the best tree for seeing other people from and they find out who can climb the highest. Tristan has a special tree which has he refers to as 'his throne' and it is where he imagines that he is the King of the Forest.
3. Forest Hide & Seek.
We set boundaries before we begin to prevent losing anyone. We play the normal rules but it is so much more fun in the woods! Camouflage clothing is an added advantage of course.
4. Big Bad Wolf.
The boys leave their hats in the den, run off and hide. I play the wolf and guard the den. The boys have to retrieve their hats before I catch them. It is great fun and results in hysterical laughter on most occasions.
5. Sword/ wand/ wizard staff making.
Twigs and sticks provide hours of entertainment. The right stick can transport children to an imaginary world where they are a powerful wizard fighting an evil troll or a sword fighting hero.
6. Swinging.
The boys love finding places to swing from on trees. Finding a good strong branch at just the right height is harder than it sounds and can keep kids busy for quite some time.
7. Playing Bats.
This involves hanging upside down in a tree for as long as possible. Theo plays this with a few of his friends and thinks it's great. They play on the lower branches of a tree so that there are no injuries should someone tumble.
8. Archeologists.
I enjoy this as much as they do. We rummage around looking for evidence of old dwellings or wells. We know where the old air raid shelter is and have come across all sorts of old walls hidden in the undergrowth. We invent scenarios about who may have lived there and what may have happened to them. A great game for firing up their imaginations.
10. Leaf Boat Races.
This is so simple. Everyone finds a leaf and sets them adrift on a puddle. The first leaf to reach the other side wins.
11. Leaf art.
The boys enjoy making patterns from leaves, twigs or even in mud. It is wonderfully fun to make woodland art and it really inspires creativity. Plus, leaving something beautiful behind for another person to find is rather lovely.
12. Tree Decorations.
The fabulous Nature Detectives website inspired us to do this a while ago. The boys made stars from twigs and hung them in their favourite tree. They are still there.
13. Woodland trails.
Leaving arrows across the forest floor is such fun. The children leave their carefully laid pathway wondering if anyone else will follow it. Another great activity for igniting the flames of imagination.
We do so many other wonderful things too including scavenger hunts, animal spotting, 'monster in the swamp', racing, collecting, pond dipping and stream walking. I will share more of our outdoor adventures with you again soon.
Above all I think that just being there with them, encouraging them to take a few risks, getting muddy and being willing to have a good game of chase with them makes being outside really enjoyable for everyone.
There is so much to see and do - its' so much more fun than the telly.
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