Painting outside

Suggestions for where to paint outdoors and how.

Make a bird feeder

Family Fun

Attract birds to your garden with this bird feeder
made from recycled materials

Parachute songs and games

Parachute songs and games are great to do outdoors.
You only need 2 or 3 ideas to keep everyone involved.

Commune with flowers

VISIT THE PLANT NURSERY AS AN EXCURSION
Some plant nurseries are amazing places to wander about and enjoy the flowers and other plants.

As soon as your child can understand not to touch, this is a great outdoor excusion that is free. You do not have to buy a thing and some larger chain nurseries often have a sausage sizzle or a jumping castle to attract customers.

Collect a rainbow

Collect a rainbow

Teaching colours through nature

Puddle play

Play in puddles
There is nothing quite like free play in a puddle



                                                          

Dandelion Clocks

Blowing dandelion clocks.
1 o'clock... 2 o'clock...3 o'clock...
The number of puffs needed to blow the filamentous achenes from a dandelion is supposed to tell the time.
Try again with another dandelion.

Observation

Are you lucky enough to observe animals
in the wild?

Love of ladybugs

Lady bug rhyme, lady bug facts and other resources

for teaching children about these much loved insects 

Observing insects

Resources to help children understand the world around them and encourage them to explore insects in their own garden, woods or nature trails.

Child safe plants

We all want the garden to be a wonderful experience for children.
Here are resources for safe and successful gardens with children.

PLANTS IN YOUR PLAY AREA
Kidsafe 'grow me safely' plants to avoid list when designing and planting in your child friendly garden.

Poisonous plants list, symptoms of poisoning and what to do if someone is poisoned from kids health: the Children's Hospital at Westmead.

Dangerous plants from raising children network

GARDENING WITH CHILDREN
See the top 20 child approved plants at Greening Sam and Avery

Create a lizard garden

Create a special habitat for native animals

10 messy outdoor play ideas

SENSORY PLAY using "stuff" you may already have

Here is a list of my top ten favorite items to encourage sensory play!
1. shaving cream with small plastic rakes
2. soapy water with whisks, bubble wands, and sponges
3.  coloured water with clear pipes and other other tubing materials, funnels, and cups
4.  a mixture of rice and beans with sieves, funnels, and scoops
5.  mud with sticks, leaves, and rocks
6.  dry sand with spoons and bowls
7.  dried corn with empty clear plastic bottles and cans
8.  a collection of leaves, flower petals, & twigs with heavy rocks (or a mortar & pestle)
9.  a tub lined with butcher paper, marbles, and squirt bottles of paint
10.  ice cubes that melt are marvellous science.

OF COURSE ALL THESE IDEAS REQUIRE ADULT SUPERVISION especially if the children are under 5!