Six Inside & Outside Activities for Children to Enhance Learning
Children are always learning about the world around them, whether they are inside or outside!
As a caregiver, there are ways both big and small you can embrace this exploration. Check out these resources to encourage little ones to engage with the world around them, no matter where they are.
1. Counting Outdoors: Memory Match
Spending time outside can set the stage for children to explore and play; outdoors is also a great place to promote learning, specifically numeracy. In the game Counting Outdoors: Memory Match, children can use “nature number” cards to practice their counting and apply this skill while exploring the outdoors. (I see 1, 2, 3 ladybugs!)
2. Look Up, Look Down
As children explore the world around them, they make many observations. The storybook Look Up, Look Down focuses on ways little ones can pause and discover different elements of the outdoors. Whether watching clouds or counting stars, children can tap into their senses to appreciate the many different parts of nature.
3. Focus & Observe and Learn & Grow: Inside, Outside, on the Go
Children love to play no matter where they are. While playing inside might pose certain limitations, it’s a wonderful opportunity to tap into imagination.
The activities Focus & Observe and Learn & Grow encourage children to build new and exciting inventions using their creativity and everyday household items. Children can make binoculars, stoplights, forts, and more to hone a wide array of different science skills, all while playing inside!
4. A Walk Around the Block
A Walk Around the Block with little ones is a great way to exercise, explore your neighborhood, and enhance outdoor learning. Through observing letters on street signs, collecting differently shaped rocks, or watching how plants grow and change, a walk is an easy and healthy way to guide children through your community while developing their skills.
5. Inside, Outside With Bert & Ernie
While being inside or outside can make a difference on what children to learn, it doesn’t have to change how they learn. For example, children can sort any item by color — from socks in the laundry basket to leaves on the ground. The game Inside, Outside With Bert and Ernie explores the many different ways to practice matching, sorting, gathering, and more… inside or outside!
