5 outdoor play ideas!
Spring has finally arrived, bringing with it the warmth of the sun, the vibrant green of new grass, and the joyful sight of tulips blooming in a riot of colors. The importance of outdoor play cannot be overstated—not just for children, but for adults as well. Sunshine is our natural source of Vitamin D, essential for bone health and our immune system, and plays a vital role in ensuring a good night's sleep. Experts recommend that children engage in physical activity for at least an hour daily, and what better place to do this than outdoors? Here are five creative outdoor play ideas to enjoy with your child:
Go On A Scavenger Hunt: Kickstart your adventure with a neighborhood scavenger hunt. Whether it’s spotting different types of birds or collecting unique leaves, create your own list or find one of the many free, printable options online for a day of exploration and discovery.
Create Art With Nature: Inspired by a creative idea from someone in our Claymates community, gather natural treasures like leaves, twigs, and stones during your walk. Transform these finds into whimsical art pieces or imaginative creatures, bringing a piece of the outdoors into your home in the most creative way.
Have A Family Field Day! Embrace your inner child with water balloon tosses, sack races, tug-of-war, obstacle courses, three-legged races, and egg and spoon races. And maybe end the whole day with a family game of Capture the Flag. Popsicles for all at the end, of course.
Bring Your Toys Outside. From Claymates to Legos, pack them up along with a picnic blanket and head outside. The change of scenery might spark some new creativity with your toys!
Lava Monster Tag - This game can be played in a playground or in your backyard. Grown-ups, get ready to be named the “Lava Monster.” The "monster" tries to tag or catch other players. In some versions, certain obstacles like wooden platforms are off-limits to the "monster," or they may only touch objects of a specific color. The "monster" navigates across structures, such as playground slides, monkey bars, and ropes courses
Enjoy our options for outdoor activities. Some of our very best memories from childhood were long days spent playing outside in nature with family and friends. So go outside, have fun, and make memories.
Loved these ideas or have some of your own? Share your favorite outdoor play activities and memories with us on social media @claymates.usa. Let’s inspire each other to get out and enjoy the beauty of nature this spring!
