I'm a little late this week with Weekly Wanderings but I hope you find some outdoor inspiration and ideas as I share a few of last week's home day care play based learning activities.
I picked up these curvy pots recently at a $2 shop and they have been the resource of the week I must say. We have been using them to stack together in the sandpit (they sit on top of each other) and collect treasures and they have been a fantastic solution for the younger children that can get a little overwhelmed in the large sandpit.
On this day we found a nice shady spot and every child had their own little pot to play with as they wanted. There was sand, water to pour, animals to add and cars to drive. This was a marvelous example of child led play and they all happily enjoyed their own little spaces.
It must be so satisfying to just sit and create and enjoy the outcomes of one's work. Children are no different to adults in this way!
Some cups and spoons and a little more water in a large tub for collecting and pouring extended the activity yet again.
The next day I had an older group of children in care so I put the pots up onto a table and added various gems, crystals and treasures. I also filled a small bucket with sand and spoons.
This led to a tea party and yet more water play…it has been so hot and humid here recently!
There were muddy feet, cups of tea and grass seed and flowers to water with jugs, watering cans and cups!
Children always have so much fun with real life treasures found in the op (thrift) shop and this day was a fine example as teapots, cups and saucers and silver jugs emerged as special toys for work and play.
I set up some lovely chiffon type material on the teepee to provide a little shade and the children made it into the perfect scene for the extension of their tea party. It's amazing what adding a little material to the outdoor play area can achieve.
I loved being a witness to this magical little world.
Friends working together to achieve a shared goal….
There was lots of action in the garden and opportunities to explore nature and communication as we discussed the grass seed growing and how we need to take care of it as well as the vegies in our vegie garden.
There were lots of tiny red tomatoes to investigate and pick with little hands….
And of course there was a little sensory exploration….the favourite of the week was coloured shaving foam with shaving brushes. Easy for little hands to hold and the perfect activity for a multi age group.
There were pictures and patterns created on the table and a little colour mixing to form new and exciting colour combinations.
Ruby decided we needed to add the flyswatters to do a little painting with as well. Slapping the flyswats onto the table challenges different muscles due to the angle of the arm.
And there is always the opportunity for a toddler's favourite activity – fingerpainting.
Balloon painting and the sponge paint pads were also a hit this week. When they grew tired of stamping they pressed their hands into the sponges and made some beautiful hand prints.
There were dress ups hidden in the ball box to explore and try on.
And ‘scrolls with icing ‘were made outdoors on a table in the shade with some new playdough and some offcuts of coloured wool.
A truck area with various loose parts was set up as an invitation to play one day under the teepee….
Our balance planks became roads and bridges as offcuts of pipe became tunnels and the zoo animals waited to be transported to other lands.
And every afternoon for the entire week we watched storm clouds close in and turn the sky dark…an opportunity to discuss thunder, lightening and hail as we continued to watch from the safety of the verandah!
Or you might like to visit my Pinterest board Outdoor Fun and Gardening with Kids
Why not join my Empowered Educator Facebook Community for more ideas and inspiration!
What a lovely post. My son would especially love all those diggers and dumpers 🙂 We would love it if you would link up to the outdoor play party with this post. Check out my blog for the linky xx
thanks Leila, I do love the outdoor play party, will have to start getting there again!!
Oh my word, that all looks like SO much fun! Those darling kiddies are so fortunate to have such a creative and inspiring place to play. All I can say is WOW!
Thanks Sherri, we are getting there!
It’s lovely to see so much team work going on – the den was a great idea for their tea party and the balloon painting is such a unique idea. Thanks for linking up and sharing with Country Kids, I’m sure your posts will inspire lots of fun outdoor play.
love the loose parts play area, and the balloon painting – and everything really!! looks like lots of fun!
That tea party looks amazing!! now thats my kind of fun!
Oh my what an amazing area you have created. I love those curvy pots so much. It is lovely to see some sunshine as we enter Winter. Thanks for linking up to the Outdoor Play Party xxx
I really enjoyed your post, you have such a great outdoor set up. I’m featuring you tomorrow at the Outdoor Play Party. Thanks, Hannah
love that truck area and the line of seats – oh for summer again when we can leave things outside.