10 fun, free things to do outside today
Aug 4th, 2008 by Alicia
Magical Mud Pies: 10 fun, free things to do outside today…
1. Cut an old sheet into large wings, have the kids color it with markers, and pin or stitch it to an old shirt. Have the kids run around as butterflies.
2. Designate a corner of the yard as theirs and let them dig it up, hose it down and joyfully play in the dirt. Set up a wading pool or hose as a clean up station before they get to the back door.
3. Pick dandelions and make crowns, jewelry or collages on the grass. Take apart the flowers to see the developing seeds inside. If you find some already seeding, try drawing a single airy seed.
4. Grab an ID book and go looking for birds, bugs, trees or whatever strikes your fancy. Keep a journal of the ones you spot and set a goal for how many to see today, this week or this month.
5. Have an ice melting contest. Give the kids one ice cube each and have them write down their guesses for how long it will take to melt. Let them do whatever they like outside to help their ice cube melt “on time” — move it to the shade, blow on it, whatever they can think of to help it speed up or slow down the melting to match their predictions.
6. Go for a leisurely walk around town. Let them lead. If you like, bring a bag to collect treasures like pine cones and rocks.
7. If you have any spent flowers, let them do flower magic by stripping the petals and throwing them up in the air. They can make wishes or say prayers for people, or just have glorious fun.
8. Gather up two long sticks or pieces of wood, a hat and an old shirt. Let them make a scarecrow. Wind some rope to fasten the sticks into a t shape, with the shorter piece used as the arms. Stick it into the ground, top with a hat, shirt and pants or skirt. Then give her or him a name.
9. Use a permanent marker to draw faces on smooth rocks & let the kids make a rock band. When they’re finished playing with them, give them as a gift to someone who appreciates silliness.
10. Make mud pies, of course! Gather up disposable pie tins or other shallow dishes and give the kids some dirt, a spoon or stick and a container of water. Let them mix up mud and plunk it into the tins, then decorate with pebbles, grass, wildflowers or a sprinkling of brown sugar– I mean sand. <G> Bake in the sun and serve to hungry dolls and bears.
