Outdoor Activities and Nature-Based Learning for Young Children
Having to stay inside all day might be challenging for kids who need to get their energy out. For this reason, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of fantastic outdoor nursery activities that promote physical activity, imaginative play, problem-solving skills, and much more! In addition to being a tonne of fun, these nursery outdoor activities are educational and beneficial to the well-being of children on both the physical and cerebral levels. You can undertake these things in your own backyard, walk around the neighbourhood, or on a nature trail—up it’s to you. Even if your outside area is limited, there are numerous activities you can do with your children to make the most of your time in the open air. So, what exactly are you waiting for? Now is the time to get outside with the kids and spend some quality time together playing and exploring these outdoor games for nursery.
The Importance of Outdoor Play and Nature-Based Learning for Young Children
Nature-Based Learning is an educational approach that integrates nature into learning activities, promoting hands-on experiences that foster children’s cognitive, social, and physical development. Research has shown that nature-based learning activities provide numerous benefits for young children, including enhancing problem-solving skills, creativity, imagination, and physical health.
Benefits of Outdoor Play for children
Outdoor play is an essential aspect of childhood development. It provides numerous physical, cognitive, and social benefits, such as enhancing balance and coordination, promoting socialization, and improving mood. Outdoor play also allows children to connect with nature, fostering an appreciation for the environment.
Nature-based learning activities can play a crucial role in promoting outdoor play. Activities such as gardening, nature walks, and animal observation provide children with the opportunity to explore and engage with the natural world. Such activities enhance children’s cognitive development, promoting critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Importance of Outdoor Activities for Children
In today’s digital age, children are spending more time indoors, engaging with screens. Outdoor activities provide a healthy alternative, promoting physical activity and decreasing screen time. Outdoor activities also encourage creativity and imagination, allowing children to explore and experiment in a natural setting.
Outdoor activities also promote independence and self-confidence. Children who engage in outdoor activities develop a sense of autonomy, learning to navigate and explore their environment. Such activities promote self-confidence, encouraging children to take risks and try new things.
Nature-Based Learning and Early Childhood Education
Nature-based learning activities can play a crucial role in early childhood education. Research has shown that incorporating nature into the curriculum promotes cognitive, social, and physical development. Nature-based learning activities can enhance children’s problem-solving and critical thinking skills, promoting creativity and imagination.
Implementing nature-based learning activities in early childhood education can be done in various ways. Activities such as nature walks, gardening, and animal observation can be incorporated into the curriculum, providing hands-on learning experiences that foster children’s connection with nature.
Nature Play and Cognitive Development
Nature play can promote cognitive development, enhancing problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Nature-based learning activities encourage children to observe and explore the natural world, promoting curiosity and exploration. Such activities provide children with hands-on experiences, encouraging them to experiment and problem-solve.
Outdoor Play and Physical Health in Children
Outdoor play provides numerous physical health benefits for young children. When children play outside, they engage in various physical activities, such as running, jumping, climbing, and exploring. These activities help children develop their motor skills, coordination, and balance. They also help strengthen their muscles and bones, which is essential for healthy growth and development.
Furthermore, outdoor play allows children to get a sufficient amount of vitamin D, which is crucial for building strong bones and preventing health problems such as rickets. Exposure to sunlight helps the body produce vitamin D naturally, and outdoor play is an excellent way for children to get this essential vitamin.
Outdoor play also helps prevent childhood obesity, which is a growing concern in many countries. When children spend time outside and engage in physical activities, they burn calories, which helps them maintain a healthy weight. Additionally, outdoor play can help reduce the risk of developing health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure later in life.
Overall, outdoor play is crucial for promoting physical health and well-being in young children. By encouraging children to play outside and engage in physical activities, parents and educators can help them develop healthy habits that will last a lifetime.
The Benefits of Outdoor Learning for Young Children
In addition to promoting physical health, outdoor play and nature-based learning activities provide numerous benefits for young children’s cognitive and emotional development. When children spend time in nature, they have the opportunity to explore, experiment, and engage with their surroundings, which can help them develop a sense of curiosity and wonder about the world.
Nature-based learning activities, such as gardening, hiking, and observing wildlife, can also help children develop important cognitive skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity. These activities provide children with opportunities to ask questions, make predictions, and test their hypotheses, which can help them develop a deeper understanding of the natural world.
Furthermore, outdoor play and nature-based learning activities can also help children develop important social and emotional skills. When children play outside, they have the opportunity to interact with others, share experiences, and build friendships. This can help them develop social skills such as communication, cooperation, and empathy.
Research has also shown that spending time in nature can help reduce stress and anxiety in children. When children are surrounded by natural environments, such as trees, flowers, and wildlife, they tend to feel calmer and more relaxed. This can help them develop emotional resilience and coping skills, which are essential for navigating life’s challenges.
Top three outdoor nursery activities that involve water
Bubble snakes
Once the toddlers get the hang of this activity, it’s a great outdoor pastime that may keep them occupied for a long time. It’s also quite exhausting, so it’s a win-win situation for those who feel like they need a break afterward! The following is a step-by-step guide:
Mix 1 part water with 1 part dish liquid to create a bubble mixture
Make a tight-fitting sock from an old plastic bottle’s mouthpiece and cover it with a sock of the same material.
Add bubble mixture to the bottle by inserting the sock end into the bottle.
And blow.
Target shooting with a water gun
As one of the outdoor nursery activities for improving focus, set up a line of cans or bottles, and let your preschooler have some fun with a water gun by slamming them down. Foam water cannons are superior to more complicated models since your preschooler can easily fill them up.
A piñata made of water balloons
We recommend that you don’t hand water balloons directly to children since they’re usually on the floor within seconds after all of the fuss of filling them up and tying them. Let the kids break the balloons by hitting them. Even though it takes a bit more effort to tie them to the tree, they’ll be amused for quite some time.
Top three arts and crafts outdoor nursery activities
Spray painting artwork
This is one of the best outdoor nursery activities to exercise your fingers while having a lot of fun. Add four to five drops of washable paint to a couple of spray bottles, then top them off with water. Tape some watercolour paper or even newspaper to a wall in the house and let your preschooler enjoy. Just be sure to clarify that the paint is only for the paper and not the entire house, or else cleanup could take a while. Refill the bottles with water and have your preschooler clean up the splattered paint once the paint has dried and your budding artists have done their “masterpieces.”
Painting on a cardboard box
Using a cardboard box is a great way to have fun, break it up, decorate it, and even paint it. If you swap out the paints for crayons and stickers, this is a great indoor project. If you are looking for nursery indoor activities in Dubai, check out our nursery activities page.
Paint an old piece of wood
If your preschoolers are past the period of painting their hands and the table, you can use any form of paint. Painting on wood is another surprisingly interesting outdoor nursery activities, and three and four-year-olds really enjoy this. They can display their pieces of painted wood in their rooms.
Top three outdoor nursery activities for toddlers in building
Design and construct a gigantic marble run
This can be time consuming to set up, but preschoolers can have a great time playing with it for days.
Tin can fortresses
As one of the most exciting outdoor nursery activities, toes will not be hurt if you use completely empty cans! A fun idea is to make a triangle wall of cans and have fun throwing or kicking balls at them to knock them over, or you can build tall towers.
Mud bricks
Your preschooler can use an ice cube tray to construct “bricks” out of brick-like materials. Once they’re dried, they can start building. This is one of the most enjoyable outdoor games for nursery class.
Sensory bins outdoor nursery activities
A little bit of imagination may go a long way in helping toddlers learn in sensory bins, and it’s always a good idea. Use a small tub, sand, and seashells to make your own little beach. Adding a pail of water and a few shovels is the last step. Excavation tools and small trucks are provided in a large bin. Add some toy animals to a puddle of mud to entice children to imagine.
Conclusion on outdoor nursery activities
Outdoor play and nature-based learning activities are essential for young children’s overall development and well-being. By providing children with opportunities to play outside and engage with nature, parents and educators can help them develop important physical, cognitive, social, and emotional skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.
At The Little Dreamers Nursery, we understand the importance of outdoor play and nature-based learning for young children’s development. As the best nursery in Dubai, we are committed to connecting children with nature through a range of activities, including gardening, outdoor exploration, and nature walks. Our experienced educators are dedicated to providing a safe and nurturing environment where children can learn and grow, both indoors and outdoors.
There are many outdoor nursery activities to choose from this summer, so I hope that this list has given you some inspiration! In our nursery in Dubai, we use the best nursery outdoor equipment and safest nursery outdoor play areas for your kids that will provide them a lot of fun alongside proper education. For more information, feel free to give us a call or click on the book button below.
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