Summer is a time when kids have a lot of energy and lots of options. The warm sun is shining, and the great outdoors is calling. Now is the perfect time to do fun and educational things with kids. Getting kids outside keeps them busy and lets them explore nature, learn new skills, and make memories that will last a lifetime. In this post, staff from a preschool in Potomac, MD, offer 10 of the best outdoor summer activities for kids to keep them happy, busy, and entertained all summer long.
When children are outside, they have the room they need to play, stroll, and swing. They can play catch, ride bikes, climb trees, and crawl beneath bushes. Staff at a preschool in Potomac, MD, share that children not only get the exercise they need from playing outside, but it’s also an excellent way for them to build their self-esteem.
No matter how big or small your outdoor area is, getting fresh air can make you feel better and help your kids sleep better at night. More than any other reason, going outside is just fun! And it’s great to have fun outside with the whole family.
Let their imaginations run wild with art projects outside. Give them a board and some paints, chalk, or even things from nature, like flowers and leaves. They are free to let their imaginations run wild when they are outside making art.
You may have seen the “stained glass” geometric sidewalk chalk art pieces. Painter’s tape and outdoor chalk are all you need. With your kids, tape off your driveway or path into geometric shapes. Then, let everyone use any color they want to fill in the blanks. Or, let them draw whatever they want to make their own unique art.
Scavenger hunts can help kids develop their sense of excitement and curiosity. They also help people work together to solve problems and give them a chance to learn about nature.
You can make the scavenger hunt as hard or as easy as possible. Print out or draw detailed clues and send your kids outside with general directions to find treasures and bring them back. Give the kids a brown paper bag, small basket, or bucket to put their finds in, and give them binoculars, a flashlight, or a magnifying glass to help them look. This will make the hunt feel a little more serious.
You can adapt the scavenger hunt to your child’s age and level of growth to help them learn skills and ideas outside of school. Little kids can hunt for things based on color, shape, feel, size, or first letter alone. For older kids, make the hunt more challenging by adding extra jobs.
Water play is a great way to cool off and have fun when it’s really hot outside. For hours of fun, set up a small pool, throw water balloons around, or buy a slip-and-slide. Doing things in the water cools you down and helps your balance and motor skills.
Grab a couple of blankets and pack up some of your kid’s favorite lunch foods, then go to a nearby park for a picnic. Enjoy the outdoors and tasty treats while you play games or just chill out. It gives the family a chance to spend time together and enjoy the easy things in life. Don’t want to head out; you can still enjoy a picnic in your backyard.
Plan a camping trip for the whole family to get away from your everyday life. Kids can get close to nature when they go camping, whether it’s in your own backyard or a nearby park. Teach them how to camp, include them in the planning portion, and show them how to pitch a tent and start a fire. Get the s’mores ingredients out and assemble around the fire! Singing campfire songs, grilling hot dogs, and telling stories are ways kids can have fun in a campground or in their own backyard.
Gardening with kids can help them develop a love of nature and a sense of duty. Let them help you pick out plants, dig holes in the ground, and water the garden. They can learn about the climate, patience, and the joys of growing something from a seed to a flower this way. You can set aside an area in your yard for an inground garden or try your hand at container gardening.
Have your kids gather rocks during your next family hike or other outdoor activity. They can use stickers, paint, markers, glitter, and other art tools at home to make the stones look cool. Show off your finished projects around the house, use them as paperweights, or give them to family and friends!
You can add some magic to your yard with a fairy garden, which includes tiny houses, paths, and doors on trees. To keep the cost of this activity low, tell the kids to get creative with things they can find in the yard and around the house. For example, this cute entry is made from pebbles, scrap wood, and a push pin.
Instead, you can turn a part of your yard into a magical fairy ring where the kids can play and dream all day. Let your kids help you plant lots of flowers, and then add fun things like lanterns, garden figures, and a small table to finish.
With a projector, moving family movie night outside is easy by putting up a white sheet screen. It’s a great idea to put down a blanket and some pillows to watch your best movies outside under the stars.
Pool noodles are not super expensive and can be used for many fun tasks with kids. By driving pencils or dowels into the ground and rolling the noodles over them, you can turn them into an obstacle course the kids must get through.
Parents and caregivers at a preschool in North Potomac, MD, know just how priceless it is to watch children discover new things, go on adventures, and make memories that will last a lifetime. You may encourage them to develop a passion for nature, encourage them to be physically active, and increase their cognitive and social development by having them participate in these ten of the finest outdoor summer activities.
MCCA has been recognized by the Maryland State Legislature for its commitment to Montgomery County issued a quality programs and special needs child care Proclamation in 2016 to MCCA for its commitment to Montgomery County child care for more than 50 years. MCCA was also selected as a 2018 nonprofit finalist for a MOXIE Award for boldness and innovation
MCCA is the oldest nonprofit licensed child care provider in Montgomery County and started its work in 1968 as a Community Action Project of the War on Poverty. Recognizing the need for quality child care programs in their neighborhoods, a group of local activists formed an association to establish centers in Montgomery County that would serve a diverse population and establish high standards for child care. Now, more than 50 years later, MCCA’s dedicated and expertly trained staff continue their tradition of providing high quality child care and play-based education for children.
Families with school aged children who can afford their child care expenses during the school year often struggle to afford the all-day programs they need when school is out for the summer. The Richard Krampf Summer Adventures Scholarship Fund was established to help provide children a safe and stimulating place to spend their weeks when school is out. Please contact an MCCA Director for details on how to apply.