Busy Blooming Joy

75 Easy Outdoor Activities & Play Ideas For Preschoolers

  • Last Updated: November 23, 2022

By Sarah Peerless

Inside: easy outdoor activities for preschoolers to keep 3-5 year olds busy all summer long! And, if you’re lucky, give you a bit of peace…here’s hoping!  Plenty of outdoor activities suitable for a preschool setting too.

If you’re little, nothing beats good clean fun outside.  Actually, what am I saying, the messier the better! But that’s the beauty of taking things outdoors – getting messy is totally fine and just about every toddler or preschooler’s mission in life (only mine?!)

Here are my favorite outdoor activities for preschoolers aged 3-5 years old; they’ve kept my two (now 3 and 4 years old) busy and happy for several minutes, sometimes hours, at a time.

Many will also be suitable for toddlers, but for outdoor activities specifically aimed at 1 and 2 year-olds, watch out for a post coming soon.

Most are super simple to set-up or even better, no prep, because, you know, life is busy…

But a few of these activities do require a little more time – when I’ve seen something too cool looking to pass up and am procrastinating other important life stuff (probably my finest skill in life).

So I’ve split these outdoor activities for preschoolers accordingly…

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Table of Contents

So what kinds of outdoor activities do preschoolers enjoy (& need)?

There are certain things that little kids gravitate towards – preschoolers AND toddlers.  What’s fascinating is that this love of a certain type of activity (e.g. throwing) is often driven by a skill your child is trying to master. 

So there’s a very real need to give your preschooler the opportunity to practice this skill, in a way that doesn’t destroy your house, garden or other stuff in one way or the other.

The types of things that both toddlers and preschoolers love to do, inside or outside, is pretty infinite.  The list below are some examples.

  • packing (and unpacking)
  • opening (and shutting)
  • move, move, move!*

Most of the preschooler activities listed in this post involve one or more of the above.  And of course, taking these types of activities outside just opens a world more possibilities, for any activity that involves, water, paint or any other type of mess… 

So expect a bunch of these types in this list of easy outdoor activities for preschoolers.

For simple play ideas that allow little ones to practice these emergent skills inside, try this bumper list of indoor activities for toddlers and preschoolers or these dry messy play ideas .  Minimal mess and virtually no prep, they got me through many days of lockdown! 

These are outdoor activities for 3-5 year olds

This post is aimed at outdoor activities for preschoolers aged 3 – 5 years old.  My two, pictured frequently throughout this post, are 3 and 4 years old, the ideal age. 

In fact, many of these outdoor activities were aimed at my 4-year-old, who is a typical boy with plenty of energy to burn and who loves to build and get as messy as possible!  The types of activities he likes the best, need to be outside.

However, we’ve been doing many of these outdoor activities since the toddler years and my two still haven’t tired of them.  So there will be a bit of an overlap between this outdoor activity post for preschoolers and the one for toddlers (coming soon).

If you have more than one kid to entertain set the difficulty level for the youngest – simple is always best!

Importantly – just go with the flow and adapt as you need! And enjoy – it’s got to be fun, right?

Preschool outdoor activities (for preschoolers in childcare)

Not only are these outdoor activities ideal for preschoolers aged 3-5 years old, there are so many that’ll work in a preschool setting. 

Given the lack of schools locally, a few days a week we do “school with Mommy” where I attempt some kind of learning activities with my two, with as many as 4 other little ones.  I’m not professionally trained in this capacity but I’m definitely getting in some experience. And loving it too!

There’s definitely scope to up the ante with several and turn them into preschool outdoor activities with a more specific learning element.  For example by adding in a counting or sorting element or even some number recognition.  I’ve noted some ideas throughout.

In addition, there are two sections with more focus on STEM and other preschool learning concepts:

  • “Outdoor activities for preschoolers who love to build” – there’s lots of STEM in there
  • “Outdoor preschool activities with a specific learning element” with more learning activities and ideas

WATER-BASED outdoor activities for preschoolers

Water provides an abundance of easy sensory activities and is lots of fun for little ones too.  Here are some water-based outdoor activities for preschoolers perfect for the summer.   Good for preschool, good for at home in the garden.

#1 Bubble snakes

Activity supply list: 0.5l plastic water bottle, sock, dishwashing liquid, water

They require a bit of puff from your preschooler but once they get the idea this is an outdoor activity that can keep them busy for quite some time.  It’s also fairly tiring – double win when they feel they need a bit of a rest after!

Quick how-to:

  • make bubble mixture – 1 part water to 1 part dish liquid
  • cut the end off an old plastic bottle and cover with a tight-fitting sock (clean the mouth-piece of the bottle – a clean sock would probably be preferable too)
  • dip the sock end of the bottle into the bubble mixture

For a video tutorial, check this one here .

#2 Aqua limbo

Activity supply list: garden hose

Get the hosepipe out and challenge your little ones to limbo under the stream of water without getting wet. Of course, if your little ones are anything like my two, getting wet will only add to the fun; this is a perfect outdoor activity for preschoolers on a hot summer day.

#3 Water gun target practice

Activity supply list: toy water guns, empty cans, bottles or similar

Set up a row of cans or bottles and with a loaded water gun, your preschooler can have fun knocking them down. Simple, outdoor fun!

(I absolutely recommend these foam water guns over more sophisticated as your preschooler will easily be able to fill it themselves.)

#4 Water transfer with pipettes

Activity supply list: plastic containers, food coloring, pipettes

There are many fun ways for little ones to practice fine motor skills . This outdoor activity for preschoolers will help develop the pincer reflex, simply by transferring colored water (water with a few drops of food coloring) from a large container into upturned bottle lids.

It does take a bit of coordination just to use the pipette – Learning Resources has some large preschooler friendly pipettes which are slightly easier for younger kids or you could swap out the pipettes for 1/4 and 1/2 teaspoon measuring scoops.

The beauty of pipettes is that they don’t hold very much water.  It’s an interesting experiment for a curious preschooler to see how many pipettes one bottle-lid will hold and how quickly he can fill them without spilling!

Plenty of opportunities to play with color mixing too – this is an outdoor activity for preschoolers with a ton of learning!

Preschooler washing her toys as an outdoor activity

#5 Washing trucks, animals or another favorite toy

Activity supply list: water table or large tub, baby shampoo or dishwashing liquid

If you have a little boy that loves his trucks and diggers and is constantly in the sand and mud with them, then they probably need a clean…

But the toy of choice doesn’t even need to be dirty – that can be part of the game. Kids have got such a wonderful imagination at this age they probably won’t need much convincing that “Clover really needs a mane and tail wash, don’t you think?” – as was the case with my 3-year-old daughter above. 

She spent a good half an hour giving Clover the spa day from preschooler heaven!  Of course, for my 4 year old, this outdoor activity was all about getting his fleet of trucks clean.

balls and water - outdoor activity for preschoolers

#6 Scooping, transferring and sorting colored balls

Activity supply list: a few water holding devices, colored play balls, kitchen utensils, colored plastic bowls (optional)

The picture above is not the best since it only shows one tub of water (a cooler box – many ways to improvise if you don’t have a “water table”).  There were actually 3 – another cooler box and a water table.

Dump the plastic balls into one of the tubs of water, then grab a number of different kitchen utensils (ladle, tongs, sieve, jug, salad servers etc) to transfer them with and lastly some colored plastic bowls (optional).

Then let your preschooler enjoy this outdoor activity whichever way he or she chooses!

My son, who’s just 4, absolutely loves order and matching things together – so his mission was to sort the different balls into the different colored bowls…. While my daughter who was 2 at the time, just moved balls from one tub of water to the next, trying out all the different utensils.

#7 Chalk line erase

Activity supply list: chalk, paintbrush, water

Draw a pattern onto your outside paving or verandah with chalk and hand your preschooler a paintbrush and a pot of water to erase the chalk lines…

Easily adapted into a learning game if you draw shapes, letters or numbers and challenge your preschooler to erase the shape, letter or number you call out.

#8 Washing something!

Activity supply list: dishwashing liquid, water, sponge, spray bottle

Not toys this time – if you’ve got small kids then you’re bound to have something outside that actually really needs cleaning.  

Combine this with a preschooler in a phase of being helpful – only if helping is fun of course, but I’ll take it – and who loves using a spray bottle.  That’s pretty much every preschooler, right? You’ve got yourself a no-prep outdoor activity for preschoolers that everyone’s going to love! 

This activity really helps strengthen the finger muscles.  (I’d also recommed trying this simple twist-top board or this puffy paint spider web which works on similar skills.)

More impotantly, it can keep a whole host of 3-5 year old busy for a good half an hour.  I speak from experience!

It’s an ideal preschool outdoor activity too.

#9 Water balloon pinata

Activity supply list: water balloons, string

After the faff and fiddle of filling and tying water balloons, I no longer hand them straight to the kids, because they’re on the floor in seconds (the plastic waste for all of 1.5 seconds of fun does not sit well with me either…)

Instead, hang them up in a tree high up and let them throw things and poke sticks at them to break them.  Ok, so there is a bit more faff to tye them in the tree, but this does keep them entertained for quite a while.  The water normally manages to hit them straight in the face, adding to the fun!

#10 Sponge water bombs

Activity supply list: sponges, water

Again, this saves on the faff, fiddle and waste of water balloons.  Have a bucket of water and a bunch of sponges to throw at, to or with your preschooler.

#11 Frozen tiny toy excavation

Activity supply list: water, small plastic toys, plastic container, freezer space, scoops, salt, pipettes, toy hammers etc

This outdoor activity does require a bit of prep – collect some small toys (think Playmobil characters, plastic cars and animals, pompoms etc) and dump into a freezer-friendly container with lid.

We are all ice-cream lovers in our family and so have an abundance of 2 litre ice-cream cartons, so that was my container of choice.

You need to do the freezing part in stages, to ensure a good sprinkling of toys all the way through the ice.  So put a few toys in, fill the tub about 1/3 full with water and give it a few hours to freeze.  Then put more toys in, more water and so on until it’s full of ice and toys.

Onto the excavating… Depending on how warm it is outdoors, will determine how quickly the ice will melt… So if it’s super hot, cold water and a pipette may be all your preschooler needs to free those toys.

Warm water, some kind of child-friendly hammer and some table salt can speed the melting up – see how you can throw in a little bit of science too!  A perfect outdoor activity for preschoolers on a hot summers day!

#12 Build a “water wall”

Activity supply list: plastic pipes, plastic bottles and other empty plastic containers, push pins, wooden fence to attach to

Simply pin all your plastic to the fence to make a water version of a giant marble run.  Ours did not work out so well but this one from Where Imagination Grows looks a lot more successful.

SENSORY & PROCESS ART outdoor activities for preschoolers 

The beauty of being outdoors is that you have a little more freedom when it comes to the materials you use.  You can be messy without the worry of ruining your house or classroom.  Or need to spend several hours cleaning up. 

So most of these activities for preschoolers are strictly for outdoors. Only if you have an art studio or clear garage would it be wise to try them inside!

Most also have a sensory element and/or artistic component.  However, typically the end result is not important, rather the activity is all about the process.  Hence this is termed process art.  

Hose pipes at the ready – your preschooler is going to love these fun outdoor activities!

If you are looking for some art projects where the end result is important (product-based art) then why not try one of these easy arts and crafts ideas , a Christmas ornament or another easy Christmas craft , or something made from toilet rolls .

life-size painting activity for kids in childcare

#13 Full-sized portraits

Outdoor activity supply list: a large sheet of cardboard, bigger than your preschooler, sharpie, paints & paintbrushes

The trickiest part of this outdoor activity for preschoolers is finding a sheet of cardboard large enough.  If you’ve just bought a new TV, the box it was delivered in should do the trick.

First, have your preschooler lie down on the cardboard and draw around the with the sharpie.  Then simply prop the cardboard against a wall and it’s time for your preschooler to get painting their self-portrait.  It’s such a fun and revealing insight into your childs mind, to see how they paint themself!

Alternatively, they could paint their self-portrait with the cardboard on the floor.  Or you could mix it up, since painting at different angles and in different positions works different muscles.

#14 Make mud pies

Outdoor activity supply list: mud or sand and water, items from nature

We struggle to grow lawn in our garden – there are sandy bare patches everywhere.  Turn the sprinklers on and then there’s mud…. perfect for making mud pies!  Pat and shape them, decorate them with small stones and leaves.  Add sticks as candles and you have a mud pie birthday cake.

#15 Bubble foam cupcakes

Activity supply list: bubble bath, food coloring, water, electric whisk, muffin tins, pompoms, 

Bubble foam is a lovely sensory experience for toddlers and preschoolers and playing with it is such an engaging activity.  This time, for my two I wanted to change it up a little bit so they made bubble foam cupcakes!

I don’t know what it is about pretend baking – I can’t say I do much “real” baking (whatever my best intentions) – but there’s no end to the number of cupcake recipes my two have tried.  Playdough, dyed rice, sand, mud, pompoms….

So bubble foam cupcakes with a pompom cherry have now been added to this never-ending list.

To make the bubble foam, take:

  • equal parts water + bubble bath
  • whisk with the electric whisk (my preschoolers loved the making part two)

I used pink bubble bath, hence the pink cupcakes, but otherwise you can add a drop or two food coloring.

toy painting activity for outdoors at preschool

#16 Painting toys

Activity supply list: washable tempera paint, paintbrush, large plastic toy that’s not too special (it may not be quite the same after

If you have a little girl with a toy horse, paint it pink and turn it into a unicorn! My daughter, aged 3, loved this simple outdoor activity as did my 4 year old, who painted his plane red.  Then they can have fun washing the paint off (preschool outdoor activity number 5…)

I’m not sure the airplane will ever be the same but Clover, the toy horse, recovered very well!

#17 Spray paint artwork

Activity supply list: washable tempera paint, water, spray bottles, paper, painters tape 

This a fun process art that also works those finger muscles.

Simply fill some spray bottles with a few dollops of washable paint and top up with water.  Then tape some watercolor paper or even newspaper onto a wall of the house and hand over to your preschooler.  Just be sure to be clear that the paint is for the paper, not the entire house, otherwise clean-up may be rather lengthy…

Once the paint is finished and your budding artists have finished, remove the “masterpieces”, refill the bottles with water and get your preschooler to clean up the stray paint…

Some great pictures of the finished paintings in this post from Play Ground Park Bench .

process art come small world fun for preschoolers - outdoor activity for sure

#18 Giant small town process art

Activity supply list: see below

This outdoor activity is a real winner!  So much so, picture above is take two.

This is art come imaginary play on a grand scale – an outdoor activity for preschoolers that involves painting the truck wheels and then driving them on paper to make tracks.  I can’t even say I can take much credit, it was all down to my 4-year old and his amazing imagination.

Anyhow, you need:

  • one heck of a large piece of paper – or lots of small ones, as I used above – with a decent weight (I used 60 gsm weight paper)
  • some bits and bobs to make up your town or countryside – we had foil as a river and then some strips of cereal boxes as a bridge, because you can’t possibly have a river without building a bridge or two to cross it, right?!
  • painters tape to stick paper to table, river and bridge to paper etc
  • paint and painting implements to paint the roads, farm tracks, fields, car parks etc. By implements, anything will do really; brushes, rollers, sponges, hands even…. (The latter was my 3 year-olds “implement” of choice, hence the random handprints…)

This particular town and country work of art was so popular and provided a ton of play opportunity and stayed taped to the table for several days. If you’re looking for an outdoor activity that’ll keep your preschooler entertained again and again, this one’s an absolute must.

#19 Window painting

Activity supply list: washable tempera paint, paintbrushes, dry erase marker, a window  

Painting on a vertical surface works the wrist and forearm muscles – quite a different skill to painting on a horizontal surface.  If you don’t have an easel or even if you do and want to mix it up, window painting is a fun outdoor activity for preschoolers.

Another good one if you want to introduce some learning – draw some shapes, letter or number outlines on the inside of the window and let your preschooler paint on the outside.  You just need to be clever at drawing the mirror images of letters and numbers…(If you draw them on the outside, your preschooler will inadvertently wipe them off…)

#20 Paper mache castle

Activity supply list: large sheet of sturdy cardboard, lots of smallish empty boxes and cartons (cereal boxes, toothpaste boxes, other packaging, toilet rolls, tin cans, milk cartons etc), newspaper, flour, water, paint, paintbrushes

This would fit equally well on the list of outdoor activities for preschoolers into building… if your little one is into construction AND into stickiness AND painting this is sure to be a win.

You’ll probably have to lend a hand in the first stage but after that, there will be several hours of quiet, spread over two days, as your preschoolers will be very busy.  I mean, look at that concentration!

How-to as follows:

  • position the various boxes, toilet rolls, tin cans etc into a fort structure, ontop ot the large sheet of cardboard
  • stick down and together with painters tape
  • make up your paper mache mixture (flour and water until it’s a rather revolting gloopy consistency)
  • tear newspaper into strips
  • “plaster” the castle by dipping newspaper strips into the flour gloop and sticking onto and all over the castle
  • allow to dry – around 24 hours

frozen painting outdoor activity perfect for preschool

#21 Frozen painting activity for outdoors

Outdoor activity supply list: paint, dish soap, water, ice cube trays, popsicle sticks

Here’s a fun process art activity best taken outdoors that preschoolers are going to love.  It’d be fun to include as a party activity for a summer birthday celebration for little ones.. Mix up paint, water and dish (1/4 paint, 1/4 dish soap and 1/2 water) and pour into ice cube trays. Stick a craft or popsicle stick in as a handle and freeze.  

Not only is this outdoor sensory activity nice and cool, ideal for summer, there are no paint tins to knock over or palettes to accidently lean over…. Bonus!

For the full tutorial, check out the post from Taming Little Monsters .

#22 Cardboard box painting

Activity supply list: cardboard box (larger the better with as little marketing print as possible), paint, paintbrushes

Never waste a cardboard box….you can play in them, smash them, decorate them, paint them.  My preschoolers love them too (!)

Switch out the paints for crayons and stickers and this makes a wonderful indoor activity too.

For more indoor activities, check out:  39 simple & sanity-saving activities for toddlers & preschoolers to do at home (minimal prep, minimal mess)

sidewalk chalk art - fun outdoor activity for preschoolers

#23 Homemade sidewalk chalk paint

Activity supply list: cornstarch, water, food coloring, paintbrushes

I was so surprised, firstly, that this paint came out so well and, secondly, it kept a 3 year old, 4 year old, 5 year old, 8 year old and an 11 year old busy for so long!  (My two preschoolers, their friend on a playdate and my two neices.)

3 ingredients:

  • food coloring

Simply mix the ingredients together to a fairly runny consistency and let your preschooler paint your verandah, paving stones, sidewalk etc… Since this paint is taste-safe, it’s ideal for young toddlers too who may prefer to paint with their fingers rather than use a brush.

This paint does dry very pale and pastley, so you need to go as deep with the color as possible when mixing.

For deeper, more vibrant chalk paint, check out this tutorial from Simple Fun For Kids which uses chalk sticks mixed with water.

Or if you’re short of time you could buy some baby-safe paint , like this washable tempera . 

outdoor painting activity for preschoolers and toddlers

#24 Paint an old piece of wood

Outdoor activity supply list: random old piece of wood, any type of paint if your preschooler had outgrown the stage of painting his hands, the table etc…

Another surprisingly engaging outdoor activity for preschoolers – my 3 and 4 year old still have their random pieces of painted wood proudly displayed in their rooms, for this reason it’s one up from painting a cardboard box, which never survives more than a day or two (thank goodness).

#25 Water balloon painting

Outdoor activity supply list: water balloons, paints, large sheet of paper

Here’s another outdoor activity for preschoolers that extends the life of those pesky water balloons. Here, they’re used as the vehicle to put paint to paper.  You’ll need to explain that to your kids before you get started, and they’re thrown them and broken them already!

Start by squirting blobs of paint onto the paper. Then your preschooler can use the balloons to move the paint around and create their masterpiece.

frozen sand sensory outdoor activities for 4 year olds

#26 Frozen sand sensory bin

Outdoor activity supply list: sand, water, small plastic toys, large plastic tub that’ll fit in freezer, spoons, bowls, cups

A fun sensory bin and activity that toddlers and preschoolers will love playing with outside, particularly when it’s hot. Start by filling the tub with the sand and burying the toys.  Then fill with water and freeze.

Once frozen, it’s time to play! Your preschoolers can pick away at the sand with the spoons, dig out the toys and experience the changing texture of the sand as it melts…

For some themed sensory bins and activities, why not check out these Christmas sensory activities or these fake-snow sensory bins .

Outdoor activities for preschoolers who love to build (STEM & ideal for preschool)

There has to be a whole section of outdoor activities for preschoolers who love to build and create things, particularly machines and vehicles of transport, because, well, my 4-year-old is into building, big time!

Some great learning in these ones too with plenty of STEM & STEAM concepts.  These ones are ideal outdoor preschool activities. 

For little ones that love cars, trucks, planes and trains, these fun transportation crafts for preschoolers  should be your next port of call.

#27 Build a giant-sized marble run

Activity supply list: cardboard tubes (inner tube from cling wrap, paper towel, baking paper etc, empty Pringles tubes, toilet rolls etc, wood glue or hot glue gun, wall/fence you can stick to

This proved a lot more taxing than I first thought – we lost a lot of marbles in the process but it was a fun project to do with my preschoolers who played with it for days…

#28 Paper serviette parachutes

Outdoor activity supply list: paper serviettes, string, painters tape, small toy

Tape string to each corner of a paper serviette, knot the string together and then tape to a toy – this is “Ken” from my daughters Playmobil camper van.

They are a little bit fragile, no surprise there, but fly really well!

#29 Paper airplanes

Activity supply list: paper, patience!

These do work well indoors, but to get them flying higher and further, heading outdoors is the way to go.

Here’s a video tutorial for an easy paper airplane if you’re a novice like me. That was about the only tutorial I could follow with an impatient 4 year old breathing down my neck! Trust me, don’t look at any other tutorials that say they’re “easy” unless you’re on your own or an origami expert!

#30 Tinfoil and egg box carton boats

Activity supply list: half dozen egg carton box, tin foil, wooden skewers, paper

Here’s another preschool outdoor activity with lots of fun and learning. 

After the classic “sink or float” experiment we made these boats simply by wrapping the bottom half of the egg box with aluminum foil.  Short wooden skewers became masts and rectangles of paper attached with tape, the sails. 

(Totally the wrong positioning for all those in the know about boats – my father would be most unimpressed!)

How strong are our boats? Let’s see how many stones we can load into them without letting any water in, which makes the egg carton very soft and eventually causes the boat to collapse…

How can we make them sail quickly? My two instantly went to blow the boat, rather than the sail…

#31 Build (and knock down) tin can towers

Outdoor activity supply list: tin cans

Empty cans if you don’t want squashed toes!  You can suggest building tall towers or build a triangular wall of cans and have fun throwing or kicking balls at them to knock them down.

ball run fun outdoor activity for preschoolers

#32 Giant ball run

Activity supply list: balls, old drain pipes + anything else balls can run along or through, chairs and stools as support structures

Of the whole list, this is probably THE absolute favorite outdoor activity for my preschooler.  We have made soooo many different versions (it does help that my husband is a builder so we always have things lying around at home perfect for the job!)

An outdoor play activity perfect for your budding engineer and a creative activity for children of so many different ages.  It’s definitely not limited to 3-5 year olds.

#33 Mud bricks

Activity supply list: ice cube trays, mud

Using an ice cube tray your preschooler can make mini “bricks” with some dampish mud.  Allow them to dry and “bake” in the sun and then build.

Some good pictures in this post from Play Teach Repeat .

#34 Build a fort

Activity supply list: garden or backyard with a little space, some good hidey holes in and amongst bushes, sticks and branches

I remember building forts in my grandparents garden with my brother when I was little, making tent-like structures with all sorts of random sticks, logs, dead leaves or leaf-covered fallen branches.  Our garden isn’t quite as ideal for fort building but we’ve had a good go – another fun outdoor activity for a preschooler who loves building!

NATURE-INSPIRED outdoor activities for preschoolers

A few of these may be best avoided if you have a really smart garden since.  There’s a fair amount of foraging for plants and leaves – several are well suited to Fall and appear among this list of Fall activities .

Of course, I’ve long since given up on our garden, what with two preschoolers, two puppies and very little time!

If you have a decent back yard and play area at preschool or your childcare setting, most of these will work really well to engage several 3-5 year olds.  

nature pictures preschool outdoor activity for 4 year olds

#35 Make faces out of nature

Outdoor activity supply list: area fit for foraging, something to collect things in

Ok, so this outdoor activity started out as an attempt to make a face out of bits and pieces collected from the garden. The above didn’t look much like a face to me, but then my 4 year old told me he’d made a tree instead. It makes a much better tree! And who am I to argue if he’s happy?

This one would make a fu

#36 Paint with nature

Outdoor activity supply list: toddler-friendly scissors, a garden you don’t mind being trimmed!

Use leaves, petals and sticks as paintbrushes.  A simple outdoor activity for preschoolers that’ll encourage experimentation and creativity and may even produce a little piece of art. 

nature collage activity for preschoolers outdoors

#37 Make a nature collage

Activity supply list: contact adhesive, painters tape, bits and bobs from the garden

Makes a cute keepsake or gift for a loved one too.

With the painters tape, secure the contact adhesive to the table, sticky side up.  Then have your preschooler decorate it with bits and bobs from the garden.  My two decided theirs were birds nests, so i cut out a paper bird for them to stick on too.  Then cover the top with another sheet of contact paper.

Not only is this a fun outdoor activity, but a rather lovely craft for the Fall season .

#38 Make a simple bird feeder and watch the birds

Outdoor activity supply list: pine cone or empty toilet roll, peanut butter, bird seed

You can make a bird feeder by covering a pine cone or empty toilet roll in peanut butter and rolling it in bird seed. Then hang it in the garden and wait and see who comes along.  Here’s a more detailed tutorial from Two Pink Peonies .

If you have a bird book to hand you can try to identify them in the book.  A good outdoor activity for preschoolers with a considerable element of learning as they compare and contrast the different colors and markings of different birds.

You may also be able to show them that males and females of the same species can look very different.  Small details that can fascinate a nature-loving preschooler.

#39 Leaf matching scavenger hunt

Activity supply list: different leaves from the garden

This one is a great outdoor activity for getting some wiggles out while practicing observation and matching, double win!

Forage for a few different leaves in the garden, out of sight of the little ones if possible. Collect 5 or 6 types of leaf, 2 of each if you’re doing this for 2 kids, 3 of each for 3 kids etc.

Give each preschooler the first leaf type and send them off looking for a leaf to match.  I was amazed how many plants have quite subtle different leaves (I’m not much of a gardener). 

Talking about how the leaf your child found is the same or different to the one you gave them is great communication practice.

#40 Make plant soup

Activity supply list: bowls, pots, pans and other old kitchen implements to “cook” with, preschooler scissors, a garden you’re not too precious about!

First, collect your ingredients – this is best done under supervision unless your preschooler is very trustworthy with scissors and/or there are some plants that are a definite no-no for trimming.

So scissors and bowl (our rule is scissors in the bowl when walking from plant to plant) and allow your preschooler to snip different leaves to cook with.  You can also gather a few flowers and seed pods or other things that interests.

Take back to your “kitchen” – like for our mud kitchen activity, we use a small white plastic table and old pots, pans and implements.

Cook and enjoy being served up delicious plant soup.  Loads of fun for everyone!

#41 Playdough nature printing

Activity supply list: playdough, things from the garden (flowers, dried leaves, seeds, sticks, small stones)

If your preschooler loves playdough (which don’t?) then this is yet another outdoor activity they’re going to enjoy.  Forage around the garden for some interesting objects – seed pods, pebbles, sticks etc.  Then let your preschooler experiment with the shapes and textures they print onto playdough.

You could also try this with salt dough and create some nature-inspired ornaments for Christmas .  

nature bracelets - fun outdoor activity for preschoolers

#42 Make a nature bracelet

Activity supply list: duck tape, preschooler friendly scissors and more items from your not-too-precious garden

Firstly, more snipping and gathering of leaves and petals from the garden.

Then, cut a short strip of tape and fasten it around your preschoolers’ wrist, sticky side out.  Then, like those nature collages, your little one can make their bracelets with the petals and other things they’ve foraged.

Simple and so cute!

#43 Make a maze out of sticks and rocks

Outdoor activity supply list: rocks, pebbles and sticks

We’ve yet to try this one, but my 4-year-old loved making a maze inside on the carpet out of craft sticks.  It took up a significant proportion of the lounge and no one was allowed to pack it away for days… (You’ll see it in the toddler indoor activity post ) So I know this outdoor version of the activity will be a winner for any maze-building preschooler.

Start by collecting rocks and sticks, then arrange them to create a maze with an entrance and plenty of dead ends.  

cutting the lawn - fun outdoor activity for preschoolers

#44 Mowing the lawn

Activity supply list: preschooler-friendly scissors

More scissor skill practice and a good few minutes of peace… A simple and very effective outdoor activity for preschoolers that love to snip, snip, snip… 

#45 Hunt for bugs

Activity supply list: bug viewer or large magnifying glass

All kids are fascinated by creepy crawlies! So this is a great outdoor activity for preschoolers allowing them to explore all sorts of creatures up close and personal. 

They may be a bit reluctant to touch them and pick them up, this is where you can lend a hand.

All the other extreme: they’re rough and want to squash and flatten them.  Get in there quick and try to save the bug!  Once they’ve got the hang of it, this is one your preschooler should be pretty happy to do independently…

Outdoor play activities for preschoolers that love to PRETEND

Pretend play is such a valuable way young children develop social skills, practice everyday tasks they see others accomplish as well as work through emotions.  There’s no end to the number of pretend play scenarios you can think of.

You’ll likely see your preschooler coming up with their own pretend play games without any prompting.  But here are some outdoor play activities for preschoolers that definitely need a bigger space, would make too much mess inside or just work better outside.

#46 Make fairy houses

Outdoor activity supply list: leaves, acorns, seeds, small sticks and pebbles, pine cones, moss and anything from the garden 

The idea that fairies live outside in little houses made from natural items and move around as and when they please is really quite fascinating for little ones.  Your preschoolers are sure to love making miniature houses for any visiting fairies .  This is even more so the case when their teeth start to fall out!

Making fairy houses makes for a fun outdoor activity and can keep a preschooler or two busy for an age.  They can make pretend fairies too or put their favorite toy characters in.  But remember, leave the house empty at night for a real fairy to enjoy! 

#47 Setting up camp

Activity supply list: the garden/backyard, your preschoolers’ wonderful imagination

During lockdown our Saturday night family fun was camping in the garden, setting up camp, cooking on the fire, warm bucket bath for the kids and then all sleeping in our 2 man tent (well not quite “all” of us – I normally crept back into the house at the earliest opportunity…)

Now out of lockdown, this has come to an end, but the kids love re-living every part of the camping experience.  A pile of stones becomes the fire, a stick to stir the pots, imaginary plates and food, an imaginery tent… You get the picture?!

#48 Coffee shop fun

Activity supply list:old teapot or coffeepot, old whisk, dishwashing liquid, ladle/spoon, sand/mud from the garden, water

Similar to mud kitchen, but this outdoor activity where your preschooler gets to play at being a coffee shop barista!  Mud/sand and water is the coffee, then they whisk up the frothy milk (water and dish liquid) and serve up their lucky clients a delicious coffee.

#49 Go on a bear hunt

Activity supply list: the garden/backyard, toys to hide, homemade binoculars (optional)

Or a dinosaur hunt or toy car hunt…. hide whatever type of toy you have a few of (plastic dinosaurs or stuffed teddies in our case) and get your preschooler to hunt for them around the garden. 

If you’re kids are a fan of “We’re going on a bear hunt” then they’re sure to love re-enacting the story.  A perfect preschool outdoor activity.

erupting volcanoes - fun outdoor activity for preschoolers

#50 Dinosaur world with volcanoes

Activity supply list: sand, plastic dinosaurs or other toy animals, tea light holder or similar, bicarbonate of soda, white vinegar

This is the classic bicarbonate of soda and vinegar experiment with a little twist – pretending it’s a volcano in dinosaur world…

Setting up the dinosaur world totally adds to the fun of this only-to-be-done outdoors, activity; damp sand to make a muddy mountain, leaves, grass and plant trimmings as vegetation and finally the dinosaurs and some random over-sized insects.

For the volcano, place your tea light holder in the top of the sand mound.  Then heap a generous scoop of bicarb inside and pour vinegar on top – you do need to be generous on both to get a decent-sized eruption where the lava makes it all the way down the side of the mountain, as in the picture above.

For more fun ideas for dino-lovers, try this list of fun dinosaur activities for preschoolers . 

#51 Have a teddy’s bear picnic

Activity supply list: teddies and soft toys, pretend cups and sauces and toy good, blanket

You can have a teddy’s bear picnic indoors, but it’s so much fun to turn this into an outdoor activity for your preschoolers and let them set everything up in the garden.  They can spend a lot of time packing all the supplies needed, transporting them all and then setting the picnic up. 

A classic game that never tires.

Outdoor MOVEMENT activities for preschoolers 

Not only do preschoolers have bucket loads of energy they need to burn, but they need change to develop their gross motor skills.  Hence these movement activities ideal for outside.

Lots need very little explanation.  This list of outdoor games and physical activities to get your preschooler moving is fairly short and sweet…

For a giant list of movement games for inside, check out these indoor gross motor activities . You can never have enough ideas to get the endless wiggles out!

#52 Paper plate ring toss

Outdoor activity supply list: paper plates , tin cans

Grab out those empty tin cans and arrange them outside on the floor in a triangle shape (like you’d set up bowling pins). Alternatively, you could use paper cups but a breeze could knock them down.

Next, you’ll need to cut out the middle of some paper plates, to turn them into hoops.  Then it’s a case of throwing the paper plate ring onto a tin can.  It’s such a fun outdoor activity for preschoolers.

You could easily extend this activity and add in a different learning element.  For example by placing a fridge magnet letter in each. Throw the hoop on the can and sounds the letter inside. 

#53 Junior version of “Egg and spoon”

Activity supply list: water ballons, salad server

Another one which uses water balloons but preserves them for quite a long time… great to set up as a relay up and down the garden if you have a few kids to entertain.  This is an ideal outdoor activity for preschool.

water cup running races activity for preschoolers

#54 Water cup racing

Activity supply list: plastic cups, water, plastic bowl/bucket/container

Run with a cup of water to a bucket without spilling it, pour in the bucket and run back again refill and so on…

You can see how much my 3-year-old loved this one; she’s definitely got a competitive streek.

#55 Sack race

Activity supply list: old pillowcases

Don’t save the sack race for birthday party games . It’s a classic outdoor activity for preschoolers that will never lose its appeal!  

#56 Visual treasure hunt 

Activity supply list: camera or smartphone, toys

Take photos of different areas of the garden or the outdoor area your utilizing.  Then place a toy at each location.  Then the challenge for your preschooler is to figure out where the photo was taken and retrieve the toy. 

This outdoor activity is easy to adapt for preschoolers of different ages.  For older kids, you can make it trickier by zooming in more and taking pictures that are harder to decipher. For little ones, you can be a lot more obvious!

This would be good to do at home but would also make a good outdoor preschool activity. 

Balance beam outdoor activity

#57 Balance beam & obstacle course

Activity supply list: plank of wood, something sturdy to lean it on (we used a car ramp in the picture above), alternatively your balance beam doesn’t even need to leave the ground, just lay the plank on the ground

We combined our balance beam activity with color sorting balls – doubling the concentration needed to balance on the beam while holding the ball.

As for more lengthy obstacle courses, it’s all about getting creative:

  • hop from one stepping stone to the next (alternatively use hula hoops lying on the ground)
  • use pool noodles to jump over or limbo under
  • peg a cargo net to the ground to crawl under
  • turn a large cardboard box into a tunnel by cutting holes in each side

Plenty more ideas in this post from Happy Toddler Playtime .

#58 Wheelbarrow races

Preschoolers are not too little to try wheelbarrow races – expect about 2 or 3 steps in the beginning but once their arms get used to it and grow a little strength, expect lots of giggles and some tired preschoolers!

#59 Hide and seek

You can have fun with this one indoors from the toddler years.  It’s one of many fun and simple activites for 18 month olds that the twis have started to enjoy. 

But the appeal of this old classic lasts way beyond the preschooler years so why not take it outside. It never fails to keep kids of all sizes and ages occupied.

#60 Blow bubbles

Activity supply list: bubble solution and wand

I keep wondering when my two will grow out of this fascination for bubbles!  Not anytime soon it would seem…

#61 Tin can stilts

Activity supply list: empty tin cans, string, drill, paper, crayons, tape and stickers to decorate (optional)

Another classic that my 3 and 4-year-old just about managed but I had to help them a lot to get going – this was a lot harder for them than I thought it would be.  Definitely, one to try again in a few months time.

#62 Race around the house

Activity supply list: access all the way around the house, preschoolers with too much energy!

This one never fails to amuse – it’s a regular outdoor activity when I’m hosting playdates at ours.  “Let’s go – I’m going to catch you, quick around the house… 10 times” that’s all it takes.  Keeps me fit too.

#63 Learn some gymnastics

Activity supply list: internet & TV to research and a large outdoor space to practice

I’m not a gymnastics expert, but this video from Coach Meggin has some basic moves that even I could manage and my kids love it!

#64 Bean bag balance race

Activity supply list: bean bags

The simple act of balancing a bean bag on your head is pretty challenging. Even more so for a 3-5 year old! Great for posture and balance. If you’re doing this outdoor activity with preschoolers in childcare, then this is easily turned into a relay race.  Race up and back and pass the bean bag to the next team member.

Simplify this one for younger preschoolers or if you want to make it more energetic and have them run carrying the bean bag.  Pass it to the next team member or throw it into a bucket.  Oh, the versatility of a simple beanbag! A definite must for entertaining and keeping toddlers and preschoolers moving.

#65 Chalk obstacle course

Outdoor activity supply list: chalk, large verandah or similar

Rather than lugging chairs, poles and other things outside to make an obstacle course, draw one on the ground in chalk.  You can make different shapes mean different movements are required. 

Here are some ideas:

  • Draw a line of squares – your preschooler must hop on their right leg from each one to the next
  • Draw a line of circles – your preschooler must hop on their left leg from each one to the next
  • For numbers – clap your hands as many times as the number (when you get to a 1, clap once etc)

A great outdoor activity for preschoolers in childcare as there’s plenty of opportunity to practice shape and number recognition, whilst getting those wiggles out!

Outdoor preschool activities with a specific LEARNING element 

To reiterate, kids love to play and it’s through playing that they learn. So all these outdoor play activities for preschoolers will invite so much learning.  But here are some with a specific learning element or focus. 

These are educational activities for outdoors that are perfect for 3-5 year olds in childcare as well as those at home.

leaf sorting outdoor activity to do at preschool or childcare

#66 Nature sorting and graphing

Outdoor activity supply list: garden/outside for foraging, small wheelbarrow, sack or large bag

Sorting is an important pre-maths skill.  Start by foraging for various items from outside, like leaves, seeds, sticks, stones, feathers etc and then sorting them into groups.  

Then you can choose something to create a visual graph. You could do lots of different leaves or pebbles of different sizes. Group them into different types and then line them up to create a visual bar chart.  

#67 Listening walk

Outdoor activity supply list: a listening preschooler (ha ha, I hear you say…)

So far there’s been so much emphasis on keeping hands and bodies busy.  Now it’s time to use those ears! 

This is fun to turn into a listening walk scavenger hunt activity.

  • Start by discussing all the sounds you might hear
  • Write a list
  • Go outside, listen and see how many you can tick off
  • Try this activity another day at a different time and listen for different sounds

Plenty to discuss and a great outdoor activity for preschoolers in a childcare setting.

#68 Beginning sound nature hunt

Outdoor activity supply list: garden or backyard

Whether you do preschool activities at home or in a childcare setting, there’s normally a letter of the week.  This emphasizes letter recognition and the sounds that letter makes.  A good way to do this is to hunt for items with that beginning sound.

This is a great outdoor activity for preschoolers.  

What can you find outside that has the sounds “b” at the beginning. And so on.

outdoor activities for preschoolers AGED 3-5

#69 Colors in nature tic-tac-toe

Outdoor activity supply list: paint chips in various colors, scissors, tape

This is another scavenger hunt around the garden, backyard or park. This time it’s all about hunting for colors that match the paint chips . Cut holes in each color to create a little window to view flowers, leaves and other items outside.  When your preschooler has got a match they can tick it off. Find 3 in a row to complete the tic-tac-toe.

For more details check out the tutorial from Homan At Home .

#70 Make a windsock

Outdoor activity supply list: construction paper or card, stapler and crepe paper 

With a roll of construction paper and some crepe paper streamers you can make a very simple windsock. Hang it outside and you can start to explain to your child simple weather concepts.  A fun craft come outdoor activity to do at preschool or home.

Sadly I’m unable to find our windsock pictures but  I Heart Crafty Things has some good ones.

seed planting activity for summer outdoors toddlers and preschoolers

#71 Plant runner beans and measure them as they grow

Outdoor activity supply list: runner bean seeds, cotton wall, clear container (we used the bottom of a 5L water bottle cut off)

Runner beans are quick to grow and not too fussy about conditions (aka if you’re not green fingered this should still work!)  So this little gardening project makes an ideal outdoor activity for preschoolers.

Start by lining a clear plastic container with cotton wool soaked in water.  Scatter the beans over the top and wait for them to germinate and sprout little shoots.  This is why it’s better to use a clean container so you can see underneath and through the sides to watch for the shoots.

Once they’ve sprouted, remove the seeds and replace the cotton wool with compost, then replace the seeds. Then it’s time to nurture the bean plants and watch them grow!

To up the learning, start a simple chart to record the growth every day.  My 4 year old loved this outdoor activity as did the other little ones! The recording and measuring are right up his street. 

This is an ideal outdoor activity for preschool or for preschoolers in a childcare setting.  We did this in “school with Mommy”.

#72 Make letter shapes with things from nature

Activity supply list: garden/outside for foraging

Another good outdoor activity for letter of the week at preschool. Simply gather items from outside and make the shape of the letter of focus.

nature discovery outdoor activity for preschoolers

#73 Nature discovery or mystery bags

Activity supply list: garden/outside for foraging for items from nature & old pillow case

Blindfolded discovery and mystery bags are tons of fun. They encourage and help develop communication skills and vocab.

They’re especially good with a group of kids, making this an ideal preschool outdoor activity.  They’re also fun to do at home with one or two kids. 

Blindfold your preschooler, then pass them something from outdoors to explore with their hands. Alternatively, you can fill an old pillow case with things and have your preschooler feel in the bag without looking.

First, can they guess what it is they’re touching?  Why do they think it’s that particular thing? Can they describe it? What do they know about it?  This can create great hilarity from little friends and siblings when they’re totally wrong!

Then pull the object out of the sack or remove their blindfold and talk about it.

#74 ABC letter hunt

Activity supply list: foam or fridge magnet letters

Hide the letters outside and then the activity is to find each one and sound it out when found. A fun and simple outdoor activity to practice letters and sounds and also gets preschoolers moving.

#75 Sink or float

Activity supply list: large water table or paddling pool, items from garden/outdoors

Here’s a classic preschooler learning activity that can be done successfully inside, but if you take it outside, you can be more adventurous with the size of the items tested.  Which will sink – that huge log or that small stone?  A fascinating experiment for budding scientists.

Just be sure not to leave the water unattended so there’s no risk of drowning.

#76 Dirt inspection

Activity supply list: magnifying glass, handfuls of dirt

Simply grab a handful of dirt and examine it under the magnifying glass. What can you see? Where did it come from? How was it made?  A fun activity, with plenty to explore and discuss.

So many outdoor activities for preschoolers to choose from!

I hope that’s given you a good few outdoor activity ideas for your preschooler.  Whether they’re for outside in your backyard or garden at home or for at preschool or a childcare setting, there should be plenty to keep you busy outdoors this summer.

Got any to add? I’d love to hear from you. Please comment below.

__________________________________

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outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

20 amazing things to do outdoors with your preschooler

Balloon tennis, Listening Lions, ice painting, treasure hunts – and more... We've 20 fun-filled outside-play ideas for preschoolers

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

  • Tara Breathnach
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Your 3 to 5 year old loves getting outdoors for active play – and there are lots of fun games you can play together in the garden, the backyard or the local park without too much prep or faffing around for materials.

We've pulled together here some of our favourite preschooler games for playing outside – from making a nature table to playing Avoid the Crocodile to balloon tennis, mud painting, making teepees and hunting for dinosaur eggs.

Here's our pick of 20 amazing outdoor games to play with your preschooler...

1. ride to the number.

Your child will need a ride-on toy, balance bike, micro scooter or trainer bike for this one. Make a number of chalk circles on on a driveway, patio or pavement and chalk a different (simple) number inside each one. Call out 1 of the numbers and see how fast your child to zoom, scoot or pedal their way to it. Repeat, with a different number – for as long as you and your child like. If your child's not old enough to recognise numbers yet, you could chalk colours inside the circles instead.

2. Colour in chalk shapes

Drawing chalk mathematical shapes

Use some masking tape or parcel tape (or sticky tape) to mark out simple geometric shapes (triangle, square, rectangle, quadrilateral) on your patio, fence, shed or wall. Give your child some coloured chalks and get them to colour in the shapes in different colours – it won't matter if they go over the edges. Then peel off the tape together to reveal the perfect shapes – and talk about the names for the shapes you can see, and which ones are bigger and smaller, and so on.

3. Play Float or Sink

Fill a washing-up bowl with water and give your child different items to place on the water in turn – to see if they float or sink. Help your child to group the items into 2 piles: those that drop to the bottom and those that stay on the water. What do the items that sunk to the bottom all have in common?

More like this

4. find and hatch dinosaur eggs.

Frozen dinosaur eggs looking

This one needs a little prep the day before with some balloons and a freezer (see our step-by-step guide to making dinosaur eggs for all the instructions you'll need). But it's so worth it for the sheer thrill on your child's face as they discover the nest in your garden or backyard. And, once the eggs have been found, your child can have fun slowly pouring warm water from a bowl or jug – or even squirt warm water from a squeezy bottle or meat baster – to slowly melt away the frozen egg casings and reveal the dinosaurs inside.

5. Build a toy teepee

Help your child find a handful of sticks to tie together at the top with string. Drop a tea towel or two or over the top to make a tepee for your child’s toys. Enjoy the pretend-play that follows: who knew Teddy was so bad at going to sleep properly?!

  • Rather buy a play tent instead? See our pick of the best kids' teepees and play tents

6. Create arty bark (or coin) rubbings

tree bark with toddler hands

All you need to make great rubbings are chunky crayons and large sheets of paper – old newspaper is fine. Put the paper over a lovely gnarly bit of tree bark and then rub with the crayon to produce a print. If you can't find any suitable trees in your garden or park, your child could make rubbings, in the same way, with coins from your purse. The finished rubbings make great wrapping paper for birthday presents – a lovely way to show off your child's artwork.

7. Do some mud painting

Find a patch of dry earth. Fill a bowl or jug with water and let your child pour it onto the earth to make a little mud puddle. Or, for a slightly less messy alternative, you could add the earth to the bowl and mix your mud in there. Lay out a large piece of paper on the ground (you can weight it down with stones at the corners) and let your child paint with the mud – either using their fingers or paintbrushes or even nearby twigs.

8. Play the Spotting Game

spotting list game

Download and print out our free 'Today I have seen' template and take it with you as you and your child go on a walk round your neighbourhood. What can you spot while you're walking? Can you tick off any of the things on the list?

9. Make your own ice lollies

What makes an ice lolly even more lovely than usual? When you've made it yourself. And your child can do just that – with a little help from you. Put some squash or fruit juice into a jug and show your child how to pour it out gently into separate plastic cups or (empty) yoghurt pots or shop-bought moulds. Add small slices of banana or strawberries, if you like, stick a teaspoon in each one (unless your mould has a 'stick' included), pop in the freezer – and stand impatiently in the kitchen until they frozen enough to eat.

  • Looking for lolly moulds? Here's 10 we really like

10. 'Blow out' dandelions

girl blowing dandelions

This is such simple thing but it's a source of endless preschooler joy – and a lifesaver if you're pegging out the washing! Pick some dandelions and show your child how to blow on them and send the fluffy seeds flying. If they have difficulty grasping the idea of blowing (rather than blowing raspberries!), you could try giving them a straw to blow through at first. Once they've got the idea, you can challenge them to see how few blows it takes them to blow all the seeds away.

11. Play the balloon toss game

Fill a few (uninflated) balloons with a few spoonfuls of rice (use a funnel or a thin cardboard tube to make this easier). Knot one end of a longish piece of string or ribbon around the balloon neck. Now make your 'targets': chalk a few biggish, separate circles on a pavement, backyard or driveway. And then, a little distance away, draw a 'launch line' for your child to stand on. Hand your child a rice-filled balloon to hold by the end of the string or ribbon and see if they can toss it so it lands in a target circle.

12. Make a nature table

child gathering nuts and seeds

From pieces of fallen-off tree bark, twigs and flowers to leaves, bird’s feathers and plain old pebbles, there’s loads of natural treasures to find and collect when you and your child go exploring together. Give your child a bowl to collect things in and then, when you're both home, set up a little table to display found treasures on – and help your child label them with sticky notes. Add to your table over several weeks, even as the seasons change, and encourage your child to show off their finds to visitors with a little show-and-tell session.

13. Make leaf and grass art

For a slightly different twist on nature-collecting, gather up all of one day's collected petals, grass, leaves, flowers, seed pods and twigs, find a big piece of paper (or 2), and let your child glue their nature treasures into a picture collage.

14. Hatch a butterfly

Find a caterpillar that you can watch turn into a butterfly or moth. June and July are the best months to for finding them: don't pick up one from the ground – you need to find one on a leaf, so you know what to feed it (most caterpillars only eat 1 type of plant). Once you’ve found your caterpillar, put it in a large plastic container with holes punched in the lid, and add in a few stems and leaves of the plant you found it feeding on. Feed it every day with the same plant type. Once it’s in its chrysalis (for butterflies), or cocoon (for moths), it’ll take a month or so to hatch out. When it hatches, you and your child can release it in the same spot you found it – and watch it flutter away.

15. Play Listening Lions

grassy

This take on the classic children's game Sleeping Lions is great way to calm down after lots of running around. Lie down on your back and get your child to do the same. Tell your child you're both sleepy lions who need a rest, You're both going to close your eyes and see you can be still for the longest – no fidgeting! Play the game this way a couple of times so your child gets the idea – then introduce the twist: next time, you'll both close your eyes and lie still for 30 seconds and listen to the sounds around you. When the time's up, tell each other what you heard.

16. Play Nature Circles

Take a piece of string, tie it in a medium-sized circle and place it on the grass. Then get your child to lie face down and talk about what they can see within the circle. Move the circle to different area of grass – can they see anything the same? Anything different?

17. Do some ice painting

Fill a bowl or plastic crate with ice cubes. Put some red, yellow and blue paint into (separate) squeezy bottles, with a little water to make the paint a bit more fluid. Let your child squeeze some paint from 1 of the bottles onto the ice cubes and watch them change colour. Then they can squeeze another colour in – what happens to the colours in the crate of ice? Repeat with the 3rd colour. By this time, your ice may be melting: but that's fine – time for some (colourful) water play!

18. Play Avoid the Crocodile

Tear newspaper into sheets and arrange them randomly around outside to make stepping stones. In the middle of your stepping stones, arrange several sheets to make a larger island. Tell your child their challenge is to jump from 1 stepping stone to the next until they've visited them all but, when you shout 'Crocodile!', they have to jump back to the island as quickly as possible.

19. Play balloon tennis

little girl playing with balloon

Blow up a balloon and show your child how to pat it up in the air and over towards you – for you to pat back. See how long you can keep your balloon 'rally' going. You could even use your washing line as a 'net', if you like. If your child gets really into the game, you could even make 'rackets' – using 2 wire coat hangers and a pair of tights. Cut the legs off the tights, bend the coat hangers into a diamond shape (and squash the hook down into a short handle, then, holding the 'handle', push the rest of the coat hanger down the leg of the tights, so that the nylon stretches over the wire, knot the rest of the tights legs around the handle, pad with cotton wool and secure with sticky tape. Your serve!

20. Hunt for treasure

Treasure hunts are super-fun for preschoolers. Give your child simple picture clues to find or write short clues that you can read out, such as ‘Look under a plant pot’ or ‘Find the next clue under a yellow flower’. Don't forget to make sure that the last clue leads to a little prize!

  • Free downloadable treasure hunt clues (they're mostly Easter-themed but 'toddler' clues are also great for preschoolers – and work all year round)
  • Amazing outdoor games for toddlers
  • Outdoor games for babies
  • Indoor games for preschoolers

Tara is mum to 1 daughter, Bodhi Rae, and has worked as Content Editor and Social Media Producer at MadeForMums since 2015

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Outdoor activities for preschoolers have numerous physical, social-emotional, and cognitive benefits and promote an appreciation for nature. When it’s time to play outside, these preschool outdoor activities will keep children engaged in inspiring new ways.

  • brightwheel
  • 20 Educational Outdoor Activities for Preschoolers

Educational Outdoor Activities for Preschoolers

Children need time outdoors to run, jump, and play to release some of their energy, but outdoor activities can also be meaningful educational opportunities. When educators can tie outdoor play to preschool learning objectives, children can learn in an engaging way while spending time connecting with nature.

child kneels outside in the dirt and scoops dirt into a toy truck

According to a survey by Outdoor Classroom Day, 88% of teachers reported that children were more engaged in learning when taking lessons outdoors. There are also numerous physical, social-emotional, intellectual, and mental health benefits for children that are linked to outdoor activities. 

The health and educational rewards that come with outdoor learning are compelling reasons to prioritize outdoor activities for preschoolers. In this article, we will share creative ideas for preschool outdoor activities to try with your children and corresponding learning objectives for each. 

Check out our free guide to studying the natural world with young children  (fall edition)!

The importance of outdoor learning activities

Learning outdoors has physical, social-emotional, and cognitive benefits for preschoolers.

Physical benefits

  • Children who spend time learning outdoors spend less time interacting with screens, which can lower their risk of nearsightedness and obesity .
  • Being outside encourages more physical play such as climbing, running, and jumping which strengthens children’s hearts, lungs, and muscles .
  • Safe exposure to sunlight helps children produce vitamin D , which helps them absorb calcium to promote healthy bone growth.

Social-emotional benefits

  • Playing outside helps children learn to interact with one another through things like sharing play equipment and taking turns, and helps them form healthy relationships.
  • Exploring outdoors can improve children’s sleep and moods .
  • Learning to care for plants, animals, and insects in nature fosters a sense of responsibility and independence.

Cognitive benefits

  • Spending time outdoors gives children opportunities to apply what they’ve learned in the classroom. Children are able to connect concepts to practical, hands-on experiences and understand their place in the world. 
  • Outdoor play encourages children to use their imaginations and develop problem-solving skills as they discover properties of natural materials.

How to incorporate outdoor learning activities for preschoolers

With a tool like brightwheel , you can create custom lessons and lesson plans in minutes. Easily add specific milestones to lessons, track progress, and share with families. As you prepare your curriculum, follow these tips below when incorporating outdoor activities.

Get out in nature regularly

You don’t have to take your children to a special location to experience nature. Children can experience the benefits of the great outdoors by playing in a school playground, taking a walk around the neighborhood, or visiting a local park. Even something as simple as bringing storytime outside can be an opportunity to expose your children to the natural environment around them. 

Use your children’s interests as a guide

Incorporating outdoor activities that reflect your children’s interest will get them excited about outdoor play. Most classroom activities can be adapted to an outdoor setting . For example, if your children love arts and crafts, there are plenty of ways to use natural materials like twigs and leaves in art projects.

Encourage safe exploration

It’s important for children to have access to safe and age appropriate outdoor playground equipment. Remind your children of ways to play safely, like using play equipment in the intended way (e.g. going feet first down a slide) and how to be respectful towards nature. Have children wash their hands before and after outdoor activities. Check your local forecast before going outside, so children can dress appropriately.

Engaging ideas for preschool outdoor activities  

Engaging and interactive outdoor activities are crucial for children's development, as they encourage exploration, creativity, and physical exercise. Whether it's a nature scavenger hunt, sensory play, art projects, or water fun, this next section offers a variety of exciting outdoor activities that will captivate the imagination and keep preschoolers entertained.

1. Nature color hunt

This activity provides a great nature-filled sensory experience as the children learn to identify colors in nature.

Instructions:   Give the children a list of colors to find as they walk in nature. They can identify the color of the nature item and draw a picture under the corresponding color.

For an added sensory lesson activity, have the children collect a few items and have a discussion during circle time about the color, texture, smell, and sound of the nature item.  

Learning objective: Children will learn to match and identify colors in nature as well as use sensory-related vocabulary. 

color hunt worksheet

2. Nature memory game 

This next activity, a large-scale memory game, is inspired by Growing Book by Book . The children will have fun playing a familiar memory game with a physical and outdoor twist. 

Instructions: Print large matching nature images (with the corresponding name of the nature item) and glue them to paper plates. Place the plates on the ground outdoors face down and have children take turns turning over two plates to see if they match. As they are turning over the plates, the children can say the names of the items. If the child does not select two matching items, the plates are placed face down and the next child takes a turn. If the child turns over two plates that match, they earn a point.  

Learning objective:  Children will practice memory and concentration skills while learning nature-related vocabulary. 

3. Birdwatching and other nature observations 

The best part of outdoor activities is the spontaneous learning that can happen. With a pair of binoculars and a sunny day, your children can spend their day outside letting their observations and curiosity guide their questions about nature and their learning. 

Instructions:   Take children on a nature walk with a few observational tools: binoculars, magnifying glasses, sketch pads, and pencils. Allow the children time to find birds by listening to birdcalls or using their binoculars. Children may also look for other living creatures such as insects and squirrels. Encourage the children to sketch their findings.  

Learning objective: To develop children's observation skills and understanding of animals and their habitats. 

Young girl outside looking up to the sky through a pair of binoculars.

4. The letter and number race 

This letter and number recognition game was inspired by Inspirational Laboratories . Children will have fun sorting numbers from letters while staying physically active and enjoying the sensory experience of dipping their hands in a bucket of water, sand, or water beads. 

Instructions:   C hildren race between water-filled buckets to sort letters from numbers (or try using sand or water beads in cooler weather). Add plastic or foam letters and numbers,  or print letters and numbers on card stock, cut to size, and laminate. 

Learning objective: Children will practice letter and number recognition while practicing sorting, an early math concept. 

child is kneeling outside on the grass, grabbing green letter cards in a blue bucket filled with water

5. Sight word soccer

Sight word soccer combines literacy and physical skills. This outdoor learning activity allows older children to practice their sight words while running and kicking. For younger children, turn it into a fun letter recognition game. 

Instructions:   Write sight words on an index card and tape them to small cones. Call out a word and have the children take turns kicking the ball to the corresponding cone. 

Learning objective:  Children will learn their sight words while practicing their eye-foot coordination. 

6. Nature patterns

The variety found in nature offers great opportunities for sorting, making patterns, and creating designs, supporting early math concepts and artistic expression. 

Instructions:   During a nature walk, have the children look for leaves, rocks, and twigs on the ground. Collect them, sort them by color or size, and create a pattern design on the side of the walking path. Leave the design on the ground for folks passing by to enjoy.  

Learning objective: Children will learn how to create and recognize various patterns while practicing their fine motor skills. 

7. Spray the flower letters

This fun activity was inspired by Happy Toddler Playtime . Children can practice letter recognition while "watering" the flowers with their spray bottles. 

Instructions:   Draw flowers on pavement with sidewalk chalk and write a letter in each. Older children can support with this first task. Once the flowers are completed, give each child a spray bottle filled with water and call out a letter or sound of the letter (for a challenging variation). Have the children find the letter and "water" the flower by spraying it. 

Learning objective: Children will learn to identify letters (or sounds) while also practicing their fine motor skills using the spray bottles.

child draws the letter F on the sidewalk with yellow chalk

8. Journey stick

This nature activity was inspired by Growing Family . A journey stick is an educational craft that can be done while exploring nature.

Instructions:   While on a nature walk, have children collect items such as varying leaves, flowers, and sticks. Then, attach the items to a stick (such as a branch, paper, or a piece of cardboard) to create a keepsake of their walk. As an added bonus, children can share what they choose to add to their journey stick and why. 

Learning objective: Children will exercise their curiosity by discovering and learning about various elements of nature and also identifying shapes found in nature. 

young child gathering sticks

9. Outdoor dramatic play

Dramatic play is often an indoor activity, but taking it outdoors can put a fun spin on it and allow children to role-play outdoor scenes.

Instructions:   Provide dramatic play materials and furniture for children to  dress up, and act out familiar roles (i.e., teachers, doctors, parents) and activities (i.e., restaurant, store, house, picnics).

Learning objective: Children will practice creative storytelling, problem-solving skills, and expressive and receptive language skills as they develop and negotiate the storyline and assign roles.  

Child pretend playing on picnic blanket

10. Leaf printing 

With this activity, children can appreciate and learn about the diversity of leaves: color, shape, size, parts, and structure. 

Instructions:  Children can collect a variety of leaves from the ground and select leaves with the most intricate shape and vein structure in the back. Take a sponge and blot some paint on the side with the vein projecting out and place that side down on a piece of paper to discover the leaf print. 

Learning objective: Children will learn about the parts of a leaf and practice fine motor skills as they blot paint and print the leaf. 

11. Nature letters 

This outdoor activity, inspired by Sprouting Wild Ones , uses items in nature to teach children to identify letters.

Instructions: Have children create the letters of the alphabet using leaves, rocks, sticks, and other items they find outdoors. Children can find items that resemble letters, such as a round rock that resembles the letter “O,” or create letters using items they find, such as using two sticks to create the letters “T,” “V,” or “X.”

Learning objective: Children will learn to identify and create letter shapes.

A collage of letters made of objects in nature.

12. Tree bark imprints

This creative project by I Can Teach My Child uses crayons and a tree trunk to create art prints.

Instructions: Wrap a sheet of large easel paper around a tree trunk. Secure the paper to the tree trunk with packing tape. Remove the labels from various crayons. Have your children color the paper with different colors. The tree bark will leave impressions on the paper, creating unique patterns. After your children have completed their drawings, ask them to explain what they have drawn and identify the colors they used. 

Learning objective: Children will strengthen their fine motor skills and identify colors.

Child coloring with crayons on a piece of white paper wrapped around a thick tree trunk.

13. Color hop

This activity by ABCDee Learning helps children learn to identify colors and encourages them to get moving.

Instructions: Use different colors of sidewalk chalk to draw large circles on the ground in a circular formation. Say a color and have the children hop onto the circle of that color, then have them say the name of the color.

Learning objective: Children will strengthen their listening, color recognition, and gross motor skills.

14. Alphabet obstacle course

This activity by The Educators' Spin On It helps children recognize letters and learn alphabetical order.

Instructions: Cut a pool noodle into 26 pieces. Use a permanent marker to write a letter of the alphabet on each piece. Stick a craft stick into the foam of each pool noodle. Stake the pieces in the ground in alphabetical order, three to five feet apart from each other, to create an obstacle course. Have the children run through the obstacle course and identify the letters as they pass them.

Learning objective: Children will learn to identify letters and strengthen their motor skills.

15. Chalk counting garden

This activity by Fantastic Fun and Learning helps children learn to recognize numbers.

Instructions: Draw circles on the ground with sidewalk chalk. Write a number in the center of each circle. Have your children identify the number in each circle and draw the corresponding number of petals around the circle to create flowers.

Learning objective: Children will learn number recognition and counting skills.

Flowers drawn on the sidewalk with a number drawn in the middle of each flower.

16. Hopscotch

This classic playground game is a great way to teach children to recognize numbers. 

Instructions: Draw a hopscotch grid on the ground with sidewalk chalk and teach your children to play hopscotch , throwing a small rock into one of the grid squares and hopping from one square to another, in order, until they reach the rock. Have your children name the number in each square they hop into.

Learning objective: Children will strengthen their balance, gross motor skills, and number recognition skills.

17. Chalk painting

This activity inspired by Days with Grey is a great way to teach children to identify colors.

Instructions: Make chalk paint using cornstarch, baking soda, red, yellow, and blue food coloring, and vinegar. Pour the chalk paint into squirt bottles. Have the children squirt the paint onto the ground and identify the colors. Encourage them to mix multiple colors to create secondary colors. 

Learning objective: Children will learn about color mixing, strengthen their gross motor skills, and identify colors.

18. Maple seed dragonflies

This nature-inspired craft uses sticks and leaves to create adorable dragonflies.

Instructions: Help your children find twigs, large maple seeds, and small maple seeds on the ground. If you don’t have maple seeds in your area, you can substitute with large and small leaves. Have children paint the maple seeds using craft paint. Once the maple seeds have dried, they can glue a small maple seed or leaf to a large maple seed or leaf to create their dragonfly’s wings. Next, glue a twig onto the wings to create the dragonfly’s body.

Learning objective: Children will learn about insects and practice their fine and gross motor skills.

19. Acorn shapes

This activity teaches children to identify and draw shapes.

Instructions: Use a stick to draw simple shapes in the dirt or use sidewalk chalk to draw simple shapes on the sidewalk. Have your children identify the shapes and place acorns or small rocks along the outline to recreate the shapes. 

Learning objective: Children will practice their fine motor skills and learn to identify and create simple shapes.

20. Nature faces

This activity by Make and Takes helps children learn to identify parts of their body as they explore their creativity.

Instructions: Help your children gather natural materials outside, such as pine cones, acorns, rocks, grass, sticks, and leaves. Draw circles on the pavement with chalk to create heads. Have your child create a self-portrait in their circle using natural materials to make eyes, a nose, a mouth, ears, and other facial features.

Learning objective: Children will practice their fine motor skills and learn to identify their facial features.

Get outside

When great weather days abound, preschoolers have the chance to fill their days with outdoor play. Being outside helps children with their emotional development while also encouraging their curiosity.

Outdoor activities are a pivotal part of a child’s early education, helping them develop cognitive skills, gross and fine motor skills, language skills, and a special appreciation for nature.

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Toddler Approved

Toddler Approved

Simple hands on activities for busy parents.

Outdoor Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

How do I entertain my two year old outside? What are some outdoor activities for preschoolers? I've collected 45+ outdoor activities for toddlers and preschoolers that you will love!

Outdoor movement ideas, simple outdoor action art ideas, outdoor sensory play ideas, outdoor water play ideas, outdoor science activity ideas.

I love to have a list of simple outdoor activities that I can pull together pretty quickly on days when the weather is nice. All of these outdoor activities are easy to set up and use materials you probably already have around your house (or you could get easily).

Easy Outdoor Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Nothing makes me happier than an organized themed list! These outdoor activities are organized into five different categories so that you can scan the list and find the type of idea that you're looking for.

  • Movement activities
  • Simple action art
  • Sensory play
  • Science activities

Scroll down to the activity that looks interesting to you and click on the title to head over for the full tutorial! I gathered activity ideas from many of my favorite creative friends for this awesome list of outdoor activities for toddlers and preschoolers!

These outdoor movement ideas get kids moving, learning, and building their muscles!

RELATED: Want a simple plan filled with toddler activities? Check out our Year of Play ebook with 12 activity calendars for kids!

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

Nature Hunt by Toddler Approved

Obstacle course by Toddler Approved

Sound Hunt by Toddler Approved

Family Jogging Club by Toddler Approved

Chalk Outdoor Game by Days with Grey

Driveway Shape Maze by Creative Family Fun

Ride Around the Alphabet by Toddler Approved

Toddler Color Hop by Learn Play Imagine

Art doesn't have to involve fancy materials or a lot of prep. These quick to set up art ideas help kids explore new materials and processes!

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

Paint with sticks by Toddler Approved

Splat painting by Toddler Approved

Jackson Pollock Painting by Toddler Approved

Paint with water by Toddler Approved

Paint with water balloons by Toddler Approved

Spray Art by Toddler Approved

RELATED: Love to paint? Try these other creative ways to paint with toddlers.

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

Outdoor Toy Paint by Busy Toddler

Bounce Paint by Days with Grey

Fly Swatter Painting by Play Teach Repeat

Bubble Wrap Foot Stomp Painting by Sunshine Whispers

Window Painting by Mess for Less

Squirt Gun Painting by Toddler Approved

Sensory play helps kids learn through exploring their five senses. There are so many cool materials that you can introduce to your kids! Here are a few of our favorites.

RELATED: Need more easy summer ideas ? We've got so many you'll love!

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

Jumbo water beads by Toddler Approved

Outdoor Sticky Mural by I Can Teach My Child

Magic potions by Toddler Approved

Sand volcanoes by Toddler Approved

Trucks and rocks by Toddler Approved

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

Color Lab by Toddler Approved

Outdoor Tree Bark Rubbings by I Can Teach My Child

Backyard Mud Cafe by The Crafting Chicks

Oobleck Drip Painting by Views from a Step Stool

LEGO I-Spy by Toddler Approved

Make a Giant Foam Sensory Bin by Toddler Approved

Water is one of the absolute best play materials! There are so many fun ways to play with water. Here are a few creative ways to use water!

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

Spray the LEGO by Toddler Approved

Hunt for Gold by Toddler Approved

Water the Alphabet Garden by Toddler Approved

Water Table & Pom Poms by Happy Toddler Playtime

Paint Dyed Water by Busy Toddler

Washing Dishes Water Play by Twin Mom Refreshed

Painting with Water by Happy Hooligans

Alphabet Bug Spray by Toddler Approved

RELATED: Love water activities? Here are 10 more awesome water ideas for toddlers.

Science projects are always big hits for toddlers and preschoolers. Take science outside and explore using bubbles, ice, natural materials, and even the sun!

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

Race Ice Boats by Toddler Approved

Bubble Snakes by Toddler Approved

Make Bubble wands by Toddler Approved

Fizzy Ice Cubes by The Play Based Mom

Giant Bubbles by Happy Hooligans

Frozen Lego by Happy Toddler Playtime

Sink or Float Science by My Bored Toddler

What Melts Ice Faster by Hands On As We Grow

RELATED: Need more easy science ideas? These simple science projects are fun all year long.

Your kids will love these amazing outdoor activities for toddlers and preschoolers! Do you have any other favorites we should include on our list? Tell us in the comments below.

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

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The Year of Play is a simple ebook filled with a year of hands-on playful learning activities. It is created for kids ages 2-6 years old and includes 12 monthly calendars and 48 weekly activity plans!

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The EYFS Outdoors: 38 Activities for Outdoor Learning

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In a rush? Here's the quick run down.

  • Taking early learning and the EYFS outdoors has been regularly cited as one way to reduce transmission during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • But the benefits to learning outdoors go far beyond just that, as Sue Asquith explains.
  • You’ll also get to read 38 different ways you can follow the EYFS outdoors, with each idea attached to a different key area of learning.

The activity habits that we develop in early childhood matter. What children learn about healthy eating, physical exercise, our relationship with the outdoors – they all form the basis for a child’s whole lifestyle, in the short- and long-term.

But is that all that outdoor play and learning is about in the Early Years? Not exactly. As well as providing the perfect backdrop for physical activity, spending time outdoors has been shown to positively affect your mood, lower stress, blood pressure and heart rates.

We’ve known about many of these crucial benefits to outdoor learning in the EYFS for some time now. But there’s one slightly new reason why it might be time to brush up how you’re approaching the EYFS outdoors…

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

Why are we focusing on outdoor learning now?

Covid-19 has led to more than one drastic change to the way we do things in the Early Years. A pivot to more outdoor learning may just be one of the most positive.

But that’s not all. Department for Education (DfE) guidance suggests that we risk-assess activities and resources and ‘keep windows open as far as possible to ensure ventilation and…use outdoor areas as much as possible”

All in, it’s time we start planning to be enabling a significant deal more of the EYFS outdoors.  

Planning more fresh air fun

Of course, there are many things to take into consideration when planning for outdoor learning, including the fickle UK weather. Most importantly though, we need to consider how we provide opportunities and teaching possibilities to cover all seven areas of learning and development outdoors, as well as opportunities for children to build those all-important Characteristics of Effective Learning skills for life too .

These are present as children actively learn through applying their own ideas and first-hand experiences of the world, show curiosity, play and explore, as well as take chances to create and think critically about the outdoor area (and the world) they’re exploring.

With that in mind, here are 38 ideas, broken up into the different EYFS areas, to help you plan for bring the EYFS outdoors.

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

1. The Early Years outdoors: Personal, social, and emotional development ideas

  • Try low-level experiences for babies and young children, like using old tyres as a sturdy base for investigations – they could be a holder for a washing-up bowl for water play or a planter for herbs to investigate with their key person.
  • Wind chimes and windsocks, old CDs, and other objects suspended from a tree branch make interesting things for babies and young children to watch and adults to key into cues.
  • Parachute games can help form good relationships as children play with others.
  • Construction with crates, loose parts, planks, large blocks, and other natural materials are great for physical development and problem-solving.
  • The outdoors is also a great opportunity to build relationships in key person groups too.

2. Outdoor Early Learning: Communication and language ideas

  • Provide small reading nooks for children to explore books independently or for storytimes in small groups.
  • Children love songs and rhymes and they work just as well inside as outside – try them out in your new environment.
  • Make print available outdoors – laminated words reflecting children’s home languages or perhaps a ‘recipe sheet’ or ‘menu’ for your mud kitchen!
  • Listen to the sounds – birds, bees, aeroplanes, cars, and emergency service sirens- and talk about what is making them. Conversations about the weather are a fantastic opportunity to extend language, talking about the wind ‘blowing’, ‘swishing’ and so on.
  • Make puppets and use them, thinking about how you will provide role-play outside like a garden centre or car wash, for example.
  • Sometimes providing a narrative can help support learning in nature, talking about what children are doing “jumping up and down” or “splish splash” (as they jump in puddles).

Get 50 free EYFS activities

the eyfs activity library is 50 years old

3. Outdoor play in the Early Years: Physical development ideas

  • Consider how babies can safely explore outdoors. For example, you could use a large sheet to facilitate tummy time, and chances to learn to crawl, creep and walk. Don't forget your risk-assessments!
  • Make instruments or have ‘Wake up shake up’ sessions to further explore movement, giving children free rein to move and dance. Dance with ribbons and scarves to encourage gross motor skills, crossing the midline and bi-lateral movements.
  • Provide natural resources for the children to help build an assault course outside.
  • Sweeping brushes and other tools can help develop more physical skills. Large-scale mark-making can be done with chalks or water and large brushes on the floor or a large piece of paper.
  • Consider nooks and shaded areas for play and rest too.

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

4. The EYFS Outdoors: Literacy ideas

  • Share your favourite books and stories in a new setting.
  • Watch the clouds, talking about the various shapes you can see (like a dragon or The Gruffalo). Add to the children’s word bank by talking through the different types of clouds and their shapes.
  • Make your own stories – try a ‘magic carpet’ where each child adds something to the story and you recap as you go. For example, they can choose characters, where they are going, what adventures they will have and so on. This can be done with a large piece of paper too so that the children can draw, practise their emergent writing and you can scribe to capture their thoughts.
  • Try sound or sensory walks as you explore your outside space.
  • First-hand experiences of the weather, seasons and world are in abundance outdoors. Factual books might extend this too!
  • Children could write for a purpose, taking orders from customers in their café, or you could display open and closed signs to promote print in the outdoors environment.

5. Outdoor learning and play: Amazing mathematics ideas

  • Try out the same songs and rhymes that cover important mathematical ideas from indoors.
  • Provide items in a range of sizes, weights and textures. Talk about the size of things such as a “big book” or “small book”. You can try providing treasure basket and heuristic play outdoors on a dry day too. Great for fine-motor skills too!
  • Collect natural treasures to count (pine cones, leaves, shells, and rocks), sort into sizes, even or uneven groups, divide to share them with a friend, categorise, sequence – the list is endless!
  • Large dice can be rolled to explore numbers, add spots from two dice, decide which is the largest or smallest number (or perhaps they are “the same”?)
  • Explore volume and capacity – try making a weighing scale using a coat hanger and small buckets – and then provide objects and resources to weigh so children can hypothesise how many lighter objects it will take to weigh the same as a heavier object? Explore how many small cups of water might it take to fill a bucket or other experiments with volumes.
  • Use large 2D shapes on the floor, and let children interact with them – can children jump from a triangle to the square, for example?

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

6. EYFS outdoor activities: great ideas for understanding the world

  • Laminate photos of children and their families, perhaps babies and toddlers can select photos of their own family from a small collection to have in the outdoor space.
  • It might be possible for small groups to go for walks in the local community, perhaps to fruit pick or learn more about the local shops, places of worship, road signs and other environmental print. You can take photos of the different types of print you see to make a display or book too!
  • Explore the seasons by planting seeds, growing food in planters or grow bags, and talk children through life cycles and other important natural processes.
  • Provide windmills and bubbles and see how they interact with the changing world outside.
  • Bug hunts or treasure hunts are a great idea – How many natural objects can they find to fit into a small box? Can they find something starting with ‘sssss’?
  • Discuss your shadow – Why does your shadow look small sometimes and longer at others? Is your shadow in front or behind you? Draw around your shadow at different times of the day and see if the children can track the time.

7. EYFS Outdoor learning and play: Creative ideas for Expressive Arts and design

  • Create story boxes and story sacks to spark creativity.
  • Create a stage (this could be a chalked or taped off area or made from decking or crates) for children to recreate stories, make up plays or puppet and dance shows.
  • Provide an arts area for children to explore various media – the outdoors brings a hue of natural colours for extra inspiration.
  • Provide clipboards and pencils to inspire children to write and draw plans (Maybe they want to use them in the construction area or you might be planning to create a Bugingham Place or Nectar Café)?

The big ideas

download pdf

Official Danish Government Reopening Advice

Guidance from the Danish Health Ministry, translated in full to English.

Picture of a Guidance document

UK Nursery Covid-19 Response Group Recommendations

The full recommendations from a working group of over 70 nursery chains in the UK.

Please note: here at Famly we love sharing creative activities for you to try with the children at your setting, but you know them best. Take the time to consider adaptions you might need to make so these activities are accessible and developmentally appropriate for the children you work with. Just as you ordinarily would, conduct risk assessments for your children and your setting before undertaking new activities, and ensure you and your staff are following your own health and safety guidelines.

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

Sue Asquith

Sue is an award winning international early childhood consultant and published author, supporting the early years sector to provide quality care.

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March 24, 2017

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

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outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

The Empowered Educator

Inspiring ideas, training and resources for early learning.

Community Inspiration – Outdoor Play Environments

by The Empowered Educator 5 Comments

Community Inspiration – Outdoor Play Environments

Planning and creating engaging outdoor play areas for children is one of my favourite things to do – another is inspiring other early years educators to get creative with their own outdoor play environments. There is no need for big budgets or fancy materials, just a little outside the box thinking and commitment to upcycling and recycling! Some projects require a few basic handyperson skills but others anyone can do with a little hard work.

Outdoor play areas that draw children in to explore, experiment and build upon are those that usually have a mix of fixed spaces as well as lots of opportunities to access loose parts and open ended materials that they can move around, rearrange and add to the spaces in different ways to extend upon their play.

In my Empowered Educator Community on Facebook we have many hard working members who regularly share their outdoor play areas and projects with us and each month here on The Empowered Educator website we feature a collection of some of the wonderful ideas that have inspired us in the community – and I hope by sharing they also inspire you to perhaps try something different in your early childhood environment or backyard.

Most of the projects and spaces I'm sharing below are fixed areas but they also provide many opportunities to add open ended materials and you will notice lots of natural and recycled materials being used. Keep in mind that everyone has a different space, skillset and budget to work with and the idea is not to feel overwhelmed with what others have created but to come away with a few basic ideas and a little inspiration to create something that might work for your play area in a different way.

So let’s take a wander through this month’s Community Inspiration Topic which  is Outdoor Environments . I can’t wait to share some of these inviting spaces and ideas with you!

Ideas for Outdoor Play Areas

Outdoor kitchens.

Outdoor kitchen areas encourage  role play , imagination, investigation, problem solving and group games. They can be made up of one piece of equipment or many but all invite play!

Love the many ways wood has been incorporated in this little corner of a family daycare yard. Shared by Renata…

A huge collection of ideas for creative outdoor play areas shared by early years educators. Try them in the backyard or daycare spaces!

A few concrete blocks, an old sink and recycled pallet came together to create this inviting space perfect for toddlers! Shared by Erica…

A huge collection of ideas for creative outdoor play areas shared by early years educators. Try them in the backyard or daycare spaces!

I bet the children love using the old oven in this wonderful outdoor kitchen and how sweet is that table and chairs?! Shared by Marina..

A huge collection of ideas for creative outdoor play areas shared by early years educators. Try them in the backyard or daycare spaces!

Now that's a kitchen to explore, create and get messy in! Shared by Divina..

A huge collection of ideas for creative outdoor play areas shared by early years educators. Try them in the backyard or daycare spaces!

Such a sweet little space for children to let their imaginations and role playing take over. Shared by Heidi…

A huge collection of ideas for creative outdoor play areas shared by early years educators. Try them in the backyard or daycare spaces!

Milk crates and pallets are a precious resource in an outdoor play area – this is so simple but invites so many opportunities for play! Shared by Josi…

A huge collection of ideas for creative outdoor play areas shared by early years educators. Try them in the backyard or daycare spaces!

Another simple pallet kitchen you can try – Lots of pebbles to add to the ‘cooking'! Shared by Karen…

A huge collection of ideas for creative outdoor play areas shared by early years educators. Try them in the backyard or daycare spaces!

This space looks like it gets lots of love and play – adding a floor is a great idea to define the space and the kitchen tools help it feel like a real kitchen. Shared by Kristi…

A huge collection of ideas for creative outdoor play areas shared by early years educators. Try them in the backyard or daycare spaces!

A kitchen in the sandpit always invites lots of messy, sensory play! Shared by Jenny…

A huge collection of ideas for creative outdoor play areas shared by early years educators. Try them in the backyard or daycare spaces!

Sensory Invitations

Materials and spaces can invite children to explore, investigate and create using their senses. And the best part of these spaces being outside is that children can get as messy as they like!

A clever sensory racetrack for the cars made with a few simple materials and trays turned over. Shared by Ursula…

A huge collection of ideas for creative outdoor play areas shared by early years educators. Try them in the backyard or daycare spaces!

Sensory trays and pebbles to add to the outdoor play in different ways invite exploration and imagination. Shared by Divina…

A huge collection of ideas for creative outdoor play areas shared by early years educators. Try them in the backyard or daycare spaces!

This sensory exploration path was created using wooden blocks lined up to form squares. Easily moved around for another day's play! Shared by  Renata…

A huge collection of ideas for creative outdoor play areas shared by early years educators. Try them in the backyard or daycare spaces!

A mini water wall built using an old frame and mounted at the bottom of steps – clever use of space and water play is always a favourite! Shared by Helen…

A huge collection of ideas for creative outdoor play areas shared by early years educators. Try them in the backyard or daycare spaces!

Can you see the guinea pigs in their special garden? Lots to explore with the senses and talk about here. Shared by Sally…

A huge collection of ideas for creative outdoor play areas shared by early years educators. Try them in the backyard or daycare spaces!

Water, rocks, mud, bowls and tins…so much to explore and engage the senses in this creative water wall space! Shared by Kristi…

A huge collection of ideas for creative outdoor play areas shared by early years educators. Try them in the backyard or daycare spaces!

Love this little car track made with a few pavers and lots of stones to add to the play. The outdoor mural brightens up the fence beautifully too! Shared by Natalie…

A huge collection of ideas for creative outdoor play areas shared by early years educators. Try them in the backyard or daycare spaces!

Natural materials and a large outdoor tray provide the perfect sensory space for a dinosaur land…or perhaps something different tomorrow! Shared by Tamara…

A huge collection of ideas for creative outdoor play areas shared by early years educators. Try them in the backyard or daycare spaces!

Obstacle Courses/Planks/Stumps

Add some tyres, wood offcuts, planks and stumps to your outdoor area and you have obstacle courses and building activities ready to happen! The educators below found some clever ways to create spaces that challenge fine and gross motor skills, balance, coordination, problem solving and also invite teamwork and communication. Best of all they are budget friendly!

A colourful obstacle course to explore using simple materials that can be moved each day to create new challenges! Shared by Jenny…

A huge collection of ideas for creative outdoor play areas shared by early years educators. Try them in the backyard or daycare spaces!

The simplicity of  a few planks and tyres is encouraging play in different ways for the children in this group. Shared by Lani…

A huge collection of ideas for creative outdoor play areas shared by early years educators. Try them in the backyard or daycare spaces!

Pipes, stepstools and planks of wood provide a budget friendly obstacle course to explore, tailored to suit a multi age group! Shared by Nat…

A huge collection of ideas for creative outdoor play areas shared by early years educators. Try them in the backyard or daycare spaces!

Never underestimate the appeal of wooden offcuts and building materials in the outdoor area – children will always find a way to play with these sort of materials if they are provided! Shared by Kristina…

A huge collection of ideas for creative outdoor play areas shared by early years educators. Try them in the backyard or daycare spaces!

Wooden stumps and planks can be used so many different ways in outdoor play areas as shown by Renata who has a wonderful natural outdoor environment for children to explore. She shares a few of her ideas in the projects below…

A huge collection of ideas for creative outdoor play areas shared by early years educators. Try them in the backyard or daycare spaces!

Don't fall in and let the crocodiles get you! Adding props and incorporating music into outdoor play can provide a new twist to balance and climbing activities. Shared by Olivia…

A huge collection of ideas for creative outdoor play areas shared by early years educators. Try them in the backyard or daycare spaces!

A wonderful climbing space to challenge, climb, crawl and hide! Shared by Peta…

A huge collection of ideas for creative outdoor play areas shared by early years educators. Try them in the backyard or daycare spaces!

Sand, Digging Areas & Loose Parts

Even if you only have a small outdoor space I encourage you to create a digging, dirt or sand area if you can and don't forget to add some loose parts for extending the play!

Bamboo, logs and loose parts for weighing and climbing – lots to explore in this colourful outdoor space. Shared by Jenny…

A huge collection of ideas for creative outdoor play areas shared by early years educators. Try them in the backyard or daycare spaces!

Two different digging and sand spaces with lots of natural materials to get messy, build, transport and explore. Both shared by Renata…

A huge collection of ideas for creative outdoor play areas shared by early years educators. Try them in the backyard or daycare spaces!

Love the decking around this sandpit as it provides more spaces to build creations and cook up some sandy delights. Shared by Divina…

A huge collection of ideas for creative outdoor play areas shared by early years educators. Try them in the backyard or daycare spaces!

Using natural materials as open ended tools to engineer, problem solve and get creative! Shared by Kristina…

A huge collection of ideas for creative outdoor play areas shared by early years educators. Try them in the backyard or daycare spaces!

A lovely open space children can use to transport their sand to where they need it to build upon their play in different ways. Shared by Lani…

A huge collection of ideas for creative outdoor play areas shared by early years educators. Try them in the backyard or daycare spaces!

Going Up – Using Walls & Fences

Using walls, fences and gates can be a way to save space and hide climbing hazards! They also provide a different angle for children to use and explore materials.

I'd certainly want to draw in the sunshine on this huge chalkboard wall! Shared by Divina…

A huge collection of ideas for creative outdoor play areas shared by early years educators. Try them in the backyard or daycare spaces!

Water wall fun using budget friendly pool noodles and funnels – simple and quick to construct. Shared by Tennille…

A huge collection of ideas for creative outdoor play areas shared by early years educators. Try them in the backyard or daycare spaces!

Turn those plastic bottles from the recycle bin into a hanging garden for the children to look after! Shared by Divina…

A huge collection of ideas for creative outdoor play areas shared by early years educators. Try them in the backyard or daycare spaces!

Another hanging garden this time using recycled tins painted by the children and planted out with herbs. Shared by Chantelle…

A huge collection of ideas for creative outdoor play areas shared by early years educators. Try them in the backyard or daycare spaces!

Music banging wall and vertical gardens made using old pallets. Love the teepee made from sticks too! Shared by Kristi…

A huge collection of ideas for creative outdoor play areas shared by early years educators. Try them in the backyard or daycare spaces!

Lots of sustainable practice occurring along this wall – hanging planters made from plastic bottles, worm farms, tyre gardens, gumboots and old doors used as a frame. You don't even notice the fence! Shared again by the clever Renata! 

A huge collection of ideas for creative outdoor play areas shared by early years educators. Try them in the backyard or daycare spaces!

Simple boards on the fence are just as inviting to those wanting to draw or paint in a little corner of the yard. Shared by Lani…

A huge collection of ideas for creative outdoor play areas shared by early years educators. Try them in the backyard or daycare spaces!

Secret Spaces

Secret spaces in outdoor play areas can be large or small but are usually tucked away in areas of the yard that still allow for supervision but help children to feel safe to make up their games or take some time out without prying eyes and adults interfering in their play. You might use plants, pots, fencing, screening or trees to divide and create spaces.

Don't you just want to explore the secret cave in this area? Shared by Jenny…

A huge collection of ideas for creative outdoor play areas shared by early years educators. Try them in the backyard or daycare spaces!

Enclosing an area like this with shrubs, tyres and stumps helps to create a magical little space to just be busy! Shared by Renata…

A huge collection of ideas for creative outdoor play areas shared by early years educators. Try them in the backyard or daycare spaces!

Also shared by Renata is this simple quiet space made with a wire arch and some bamboo screening.

A huge collection of ideas for creative outdoor play areas shared by early years educators. Try them in the backyard or daycare spaces!

Secret spaces can be small and invite little people to just sit and create in their own little world surrounded by nature.

A huge collection of ideas for creative outdoor play areas shared by early years educators. Try them in the backyard or daycare spaces!

This lovely tree and its branches provide a secret swinging space in the corner of a yard to explore. Shared by Marina…

A huge collection of ideas for creative outdoor play areas shared by early years educators. Try them in the backyard or daycare spaces!

Not really a secret space for the children but I thought a clever way of screening off the space that houses the air conditioning units at this centre!  Shared by Sally…

A huge collection of ideas for creative outdoor play areas shared by early years educators. Try them in the backyard or daycare spaces!

And finally….who wouldn't want to escape to this gorgeous little space hidden under the tree? Pallets and stumps – always a treasure in outdoor play! Shared by Teagan…

A huge collection of ideas for creative outdoor play areas shared by early years educators. Try them in the backyard or daycare spaces!

Feeling inspired to try something different in your own outdoor play area? Make sure you start with a small idea first and then build from there – get creative and work with what you already have available. There is no need to feel pressure to create something similar to those areas above – just take a few ideas you like and modify to suit your space, budget and abilities. The children will love whatever you create – make sure to involve them in the process as well!

If you are looking for even more outdoor play area inspiration click on the links below to read about some of my own favourite projects shared previously here on the blog.

Recycled Pallet Cubby

Build a pallet sink tutorial

Build a recycled pallet market stall

Music banging tree and stick teepee

Building a Bushrock Sandpit

Toddler Rock Quarry

How to build a hill slide 

Musical Spool Table

Join educators from all across the world sharing support, ideas and inspiration like the photos above in our Empowered Educator Facebook group. 

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

A Little About Me

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

Jodie Clarke is an early childhood professional supporting educators who want and need to stay passionate about the work they do! She has 30 years hands-on experience in the early childhood and human services sectors across many different roles.

Jodie is mum to 3 in Australia and has already helped thousands of educators with their work through her popular blog posts, activity ideas, online training and e-books.

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03/05/2017 at 4:01 pm

Awwwhhh… the pictures are so lovely. It is amazing, so many beautiful ideas. We prefer the outdoor kitchen. It´s so cute 🙂

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08/05/2017 at 1:29 pm

Love outdoor kitchens!

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25/09/2019 at 12:37 am

Wow! This collection is amazing and inspiring! Thanks for all of the great ideas, they look so fun!

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12/03/2021 at 2:03 pm

I am trying to create a fun outdoor area for my children, the pictures gave me some great ideas for my children, to have fun and explore the nature of outdoors. Thank you

24/03/2021 at 3:42 pm

So glad to hear you now have some new ideas and a little inspiration to move forward with when creating your outdoor area Tonya – I’m sure your children will love it!

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Easy Outdoor Games and Activities for Kids

These classic outdoor games are fun for groups of kids or just your family

David Hanover / Getty Images

When you have a group of kids over for an outdoor birthday party or play date , it's handy to have some activity ideas up your sleeve. That said, outdoor games and activities for children don't have to be complicated to be fun. And because they're outside, your kids will likely be running around and burning off lots of energy and getting exercise while playing. Children need 60 minutes or more of  physical activity  each day, and what better way to get it?

Just about any open outdoor space will do for these activities, including parks, schoolyards, playgrounds, backyards, beaches, or meadows. Simple, easy-to-understand instructions for kids of all ages can encourage hours of active play . That means more time spent outside with their friends, enjoying the sun and fresh air—and giving you some time to enjoy your adult company, just catch your breath, or join in on the fun.

Fun Outdoor Games and Activities for Kids

The following list highlights classic, fun games that don't require a lot of components or setup. If the weather doesn't cooperate , many of these games, such as the dress-up relay race or obstacle course, can be easily transferred indoors to a basement, large living room, community center space, or gymnasium. Party on!

The object of this ball game is to run as far and as fast as possible from the person who is throwing the ball and to dodge the ball when it’s thrown at you without moving your feet.

Be sure to use a very soft ball, such as a foam ball, which is specifically made to be thrown at people without hurting them.

How to Play

  • Start with a person in the middle. That person is the thrower, or "it." Everyone else should stand within arm’s reach of the thrower.
  • The thrower tosses the ball straight up into the air. As soon as the ball is released, players begin to run away from the thrower. When the thrower catches the ball on its way back down, they yell, "Spud!" at which point players immediately freeze where they are.
  • The thrower then tries to tag a player with the ball. The frozen player can try to dodge the ball but is not allowed to move their feet. If a player is hit, they will get the letter "S" and move to the middle to be the next thrower.
  • If the thrower misses, then the thrower repeats steps 2 and 3.
  • The game is played until a player gets all four letters "S-P-U-D," which means they are out of the game. The game continues until there is only one player left. That player is the winner.

Rainbow Challenge

Charles Gullung / Getty Images

For this game, kids are challenged to find as many items in different colors as they can. It's ideal to play in a park, garden, or large backyard. Simply set a timer and encourage the players to run around and collect things in every color in the rainbow. When the timer dings (you can make this a shorter or longer activity depending on the space and attention span of the kids), have the children come together to present their bounty.

For little kids, you can simply have them collect items and then work together to sort them by color. To add challenge for older children, task them with finding as many items as they can within one color, such as looking for multiple shades of green or yellow.

Red Light, Green Light

This is a simple and fun outdoor game that doesn’t require any setup or accessories. It’s great for a small or large group of kids.

  • One person is designated as the "stoplight." The stoplight stands with their back toward the other players, who stand about 15 to 20 feet away from them.
  • The stoplight calls out "green light!" which signals the players to begin moving toward them. Then, the stoplight yells, "red light!" and turns around. If any player is caught moving when the stoplight turns around, that player is out.
  • The game is over if all the players are out before anyone reaches the stoplight or if someone tags the stoplight. If a player reaches the stoplight, that person gets to be the stoplight in the next game.

This game is essentially a reverse version of hide-and-go-seek.

  • One person who is "it" hides and everyone else looks for them.
  • Each player that finds "it" joins them in the hiding place.
  • As the players find "it," one by one, they all crowd into the hiding place and end up packed together like sardines in a can (hence the name of the game). The last person to find the hiding place is the next one to be "it."

Sidewalk Chalk

Stephen Simpson / Getty Images

Hours of fun can be had with sidewalk chalk, for small or large groups. Simply buy a package of sidewalk chalk and watch their creativity bloom. Pick a theme, say spaceships and aliens, underwater world, or flowers and fairies—or simply encourage them to draw or write whatever comes to mind.

Four Square

You don’t need much to play this popular game. All that is required is:

  • A ball that's good for catching and bouncing (such as a soccer ball or volleyball)
  • Sidewalk chalk
  • Space on asphalt or another hard surface on which you can draw lines and bounce a ball

The concept and rules are simple: First, draw a large square, about 8 to 10 feet long on each side. Then, divide the square evenly so that you have four equal-sized quadrants and label each from 1 to 4 in clockwise order. The first square is "king," the second is "queen," the third is "jack," and the fourth is "ace."

  • Each child stands in a square.
  • The child in square 1 is the server and bounces the ball to any of the other squares. The child in that square must then hit the ball into another square without letting it bounce more than once in their own square.
  • If they miss, or if the ball bounces more than once, that player is out (which is a good way to rotate in other kids if there are more than four children playing).
  • If there are more than four players, the extra kids form a line to enter the game once someone gets out.
  • If there are only four players in the game, then the child who missed the ball has to go to the fourth, or "ace" place. The object of the game is to be in the “king” spot the longest.

Obstacle Course

Rolf Bruderer / Getty Images

Kids invariably love running through obstacle courses. You can do this activity as a race, timing who gets through the course the quickest, or just for fun. Anything can be used to create the course, from play tubes and cardboard boxes to step ladders and bean bag chairs. Simply line up items for kids to navigate over, under, or around.

Review the obstacles with them before they run the course so they'll know what to do. For added complexity, you can add extra elements, such as doing jumping jacks or a summersault, at various points in the course.

Here’s an oldie but a goodie. Kids love the thrill of chasing and being chased, which is why variations of tag are so popular.

  • Have two kids be "it" for a party of 10 to 12 kids. (For larger groups, assign three or more kids to be "it.") Set up boundaries if you are not in an enclosed yard; use trees or park benches, or other objects as markers.
  • When the people who are "it" call out "Go!" the other kids scatter in different directions.
  • The people who are "it" will try to tag the players. Any player who is tagged will freeze. They can only be unfrozen and run again if another player who has not yet been tagged touches them.
  • The last people who are not frozen become "it" in the next game.

Crayon Rubbings

baobao ou / Getty Images

Most adults have done a crayon rubbing or two as kids themselves. This makes a game out of an art activity and doesn't require too much effort on the part of parents.

Make the Crayon Rubbings

It's best to show kids how to make one before they begin their hunt. Peel the paper off of an old crayon, set a piece of paper on a leaf or something with an interesting texture, just for demonstration purposes, and rub the crayon over the paper until the texture or shape outline starts to show through.

  • Once the group knows how to make a crayon rubbing and a table is set up outside with paper and crayons, ask the kids to run around the yard to make crayon rubbings of as many different types of leaves as they can in 10 to 20 minutes.
  • Encourage them to look closely and find leaves of varying shapes, sizes, and even leaves that have special features (like tears, bug bite marks, etc.). To save your landscaping, tell them that the leaves must already be lying on the ground.
  • The child that comes back with the most crayon rubbings of different types of leaves is the winner.
  • To continue playing, kids can go back out to make as many crayon rubbings as they can of different tree trunks, rocks, or anything else they find with an interesting surface.

Dress Up Relay Race

Relay races make great outdoor party games for many reasons. They get kids moving and active, they inspire teamwork, and they satisfy kids' love of competition. This game adds a fun twist that has kids put on dress-up clothing as part of the race, which adds a fun and festive extra step.

The dress-up relay race is a fun outdoor party game and can easily be tailored to fit the theme of a party by having kids dress up in pirate, sports, princess, or other outfits and accessories.

Set up an obstacle course with items from the dress-up theme. Divide the kids into teams and have them race through the course and put on a dress-up item (such as hats, shoes, jewelry, tops, dresses, bags, skirts, or fairy wings) at each marker. Then, they go in reverse and replace items at each marker. The first team to have each player go through the course wins.

Water Balloon Toss

Onfokus / Getty Images

Here's an awesome outdoor game for any gathering. Because it involves water balloons, you may want to dress kids in their swimsuits . It's the perfect way to have fun on a hot summer's day!

There are many ways to play with water balloons. The simplest version is to line up the kids in pairs and have them toss a water balloon back and forth until it breaks. The last pair with an intact balloon wins. Another option is to throw the balloons at each other with the intention of popping them, which is particularly fun on a hot day.

You can use different variations of games with water balloons that don't involve combat, too. These include tossing balloons at a target rather than each other. These games help develop motor skills and coordination.

Yellow Dog Productions / Getty Images

Kickball is a blast to play with a larger group and is fun for all different ages and athletic abilities. All you need is a large rubber ball, which is sometimes called a four-square or playground ball. The game can be played on a baseball diamond. Or you can use a makeshift field by using any grassy or paved area. If so, you'll want to roughly mark four bases at the corners of a "diamond."

  • Divide your group into two teams.
  • Like in baseball, you'll have a pitcher who rolls the ball on the ground rather than throws it to the player who is "up" at home plate. The rest of the defensive team will be stationed at the 3 other bases as well as in between then and in the outfield.
  • When the ball is rolled to home plate, the player who is up kicks it into the field. If successful, they run the bases, attempting to get to a base before getting tagged by the ball, which can either be carried by an opposing team member or thrown at the runner. If they are tagged when not on a base, they are out. If they are safe, they get a chance to run again and try to make a run by reaching home base when their next teammate kicks the ball. If they miss their kick or it goes foul (outside of the field), they get 2 more chances or are declared out.
  • After three outs, the teams switch sides. You can decide to play for a set time period or number of innings. Whichever team has the most runs at the end of the game wins.

Nature Photo Scavenger Hunt

Scavenger hunts can be great fun at parties or with larger groups of kids. There are many types of scavenger hunts, but if the weather allows, take your hunt outside and  look for items in nature  to get kids active and exploring in the fresh air. Plus, a nature-based theme helps to inspire a love of nature and the outdoors.

By focusing on nature, you’ll make this outdoor activity a great green game that's perfect for kids today. They will be learning about nature and developing their cognitive skills while having fun.

Scavenger hunts take a bit of prep work, as you'll need to decide on the items to find ahead of time. The great thing with a nature scavenger hunt is that you don't need to put out or hide anything. Instead, simply take a walk in the designated play area and note what you see. Then, use these plants or animals in your list of things for kids to find. (Although, you can certainly place specific items with or without clues for your group to find if desired.)

  • Decide on your teams. This game can be played as one or several teams.
  • Hand out (digitally or on paper) the scavenger hunt list to each team and provide cameras (or cell phones), as needed.
  • Let kids know what the boundaries are for the hunt.
  • Send them out to find and photograph the items (with proper supervision, of course, depending on the participants' ages).
  • The first team to find all the items wins.

mixetto / Getty Images

Ring toss is a simple but addictive game that can be played solo or in groups. You'll need rings to toss and a standing stick to try to toss the rings onto. Ring toss game sets are available for purchase or you can use any rings you have with a stick or post secured in the ground. Alternatively, if you don't have rings, you can modify the game by designating an area on the ground where children attempt to throw bean bags or other items.

This game builds on hand-eye coordination, patience, and tenacity—and is loads of fun. Essentially, kids take turns throwing their rings to see how many they make on the stick (or designated spot on the ground). Whoever gets the most rings on the stick wins.

Steal the Bacon

Flashpop / Getty Images

Steal the Bacon is a fun outdoor party game that's perfect for grade-school-age kids. This classic outdoor party game will encourage kids to listen and pay attention, sharpening kids' reflexes while having fun!

This game is played in a large field or backyard. Divide your group into two teams. Each team gets one "side" of the play space. Place two objects, such as balls, bean bags, or hand towels, in different colors in the center of the field. Decide on a safe area at opposite edges of the field for each team to have as their home base.

For each round in this tag-based game, each team seeks to "steal" their object ("the bacon") and get it back to their home base without being tagged. If a player gets tagged while holding the bacon, the other team gets a point. If they get the item back to their home base without being tagged that team gets a point. The team with the most points wins.

Balloon Stomp

Catherine Delahaye

Balloon Stomp is a raucous game that will get kids moving as they try to stomp their way to victory. Between the laughing, screaming, and popping of balloons, this outdoor game will be one loud and happy party event .

Each child has two balloons attached to their feet with a string and, as in musical chairs, they walk around a circle until the music stops. Once the music stops, they try to stomp each others' balloons. (Be sure your group is wearing sturdy shoes and is instructed to watch out for each other's toes.) The last child with an unpopped balloon wins.

Fun Beach Game Ideas

ArtMarie / Getty Images

If your group is going to be on the beach, try these entertaining beach activities for kids. Children can have lots of fun at the beach just by splashing in the waves, digging holes in the sand, or burying each other or their parents in the sand. When the kids are looking for something else to do or you've got a larger group to organize, try a bucket relay race where you can only use your hands to transfer water from the waves to fill your bucket.

Beach volleyball is also a blast. It's loads of fun for parents, too! You can fly kites and compete to see who can send their's aloft the fastest or highest. Or you can have a sand sculpture competition. You can also give them a beach-themed scavenger hunt to collect shells and pebbles.

Ivan Pantic / Getty Images

Badminton is an easy-to-learn game that kids of all ages can enjoy. To play an official game, you'll need rackets, birdies (also called shuttlecocks), and a net. However, you can definitely have fun even without the net by just designating a line to hit the birdie over back and forth with a partner or groups of players.

  • Divide your group into teams and decide how many points you will play until—or set a time limit.
  • Begin by having one person serve the birdie over the net.
  • The other team tries to hit the birdie back over the net to the other team before it drops to the ground. Multiple hits are allowed.
  • Play continues until a team misses the birdie and it touches the ground. When that happens, the other team gets a point.
  • Whichever team reaches the designated score (such as 10 points) or has the highest score when the time runs out wins.

fstop123 / Getty Images

Grounders is an entertaining twist on the game of tag. It's played on a playground or play structure, which adds an extra element of complexity that older kids will enjoy.

  • Decide on who will be "it." Just like in traditional tag, the person who is "it" attempts to tag one of the other players. If tagged, they become "it."
  • However, the twist in grounders is that the other players must stay on the play structure.
  • The person who is "it" can be on the ground with their eyes open but if they go on the play structure they need to keep them closed. Supervision may be needed for younger kids, as they need to slowly and carefully navigate by feel and hearing while pursuing players on the play structure.
  • If "it" senses that a player is on the ground, they yell, "grounders," and then open their eyes to see if they've caught anyone. If so, that person becomes "it."

Running Races

FatCamera / Getty Images

Set up a course for kids to have a running race. You can choose to either have them do sprints or a longer run depending on the age and interest of the children. If you have a group of various ages, you can stagger the kids, with the younger children closer to the finish line. Then, yell, "ready, set, go," and they are off!

Piercy KL, Troiano RP, Ballard RM, et al.  The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans .  JAMA.  2018;320(19):2020–2028. doi:10.1001/jama.2018.14854

O'Connor L.  Implications for Learners-Dyspraxia .

Yıldırım G, Akamca GÖ.  The effect of outdoor learning activities on the development of preschool children .  S Afr J Educ . 2017;37(2). doi:10.15700/saje.v37n2a1378

By Katherine Lee Katherine Lee is a parenting writer and a former editor at Parenting and Working Mother magazines.

What to get my…

The Best Way To Find Unique and Great Gifts For Those you Love and Care About

Outdoor Activities for 3-5 Year Olds

WhatToGetMy Instructional Article

  • Outdoor play and physical activities are good for the healthy development of children, especially as they grow up at the ages of 3, 4, and 5 years old.
  • The trick is always finding the right mix of outdoor activities that will both fascinate and interest them, are safe, and still have a lot of health benefits to it. And that is what our selection of 28 Fun and Exciting Outdoor Activities for 3 – 5 Year Olds promises to deliver on. You and your 3 to 5-year-old will have a blast with all of the children outdoor activities in this article.

According to a 2014 survey of 69 parents by the Journal of Leisure Survey , a good majority of the parents let their children outdoors to play for at least 1 hour every day.

How Much Time On Average Per Day Does Your Child Spend Outdoors In Free Play At Home (U.S., 2014, 69 Parents). Source: Journal of Leisure Research

How Much Time On Average Per Day Does Your Child Spend Outdoors In Free Play At Home (U.S., 2014, 69 Parents)

This is a good practice that is good for a child’s growth and development. Outdoor play is vital and important for early childhood development and extends to adulthood as well. According to a 2019 finding by the Washington Post , persons who spent at least an hour every day in nature, were 35% more likely to be happy and in good health than persons who do not spend any time out in nature.

Increased likelihood of reporting happiness and good health for people who spend time in nature, relative to those who don’t spend any time in nature at all (2019). Source: Washington Post

Increased likelihood of reporting happiness and good health for people who spend time in nature, relative to those who don't spend any time in nature at all (2019

It is therefore important that as much as parents buy toys for their children or allow them screen time in front of the television and smart devices, they also spend quality time with their child engaging in children’s outdoor activities with their 3, 4, 5-year-olds. And in this article, we list fun and engaging outdoor activities that you can engage in with your 3 to 5-year-olds. This article will also be useful for caregivers of preschoolers and also lists outdoor physical activities for preschoolers .

Check out our related articles on 

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Gift for kid who loves art

  • Astronaut toys for preschoolers

Outdoor Activities For 3, 4, 5 Year Olds .

Table of Contents

The right mix of outdoor activities for 3 – 5 year olds is important if they will be motivated to engage in it and reap the health benefits it comes with. According to a 2009 survey by Scholar Works , children enjoyed outdoor activities like playing football and biking.

Children’s Favorite Outdoor Activities (U.S., 2009 1,437 Interviewees). Source: Scholar Works ​

Children's Favorite Outdoor Activities (U.S., 2009 1,437 Interviewees)

Here are good 3, 4, 5 year old activities that would make for fun outdoor play for 3, 4, 5 year olds. Most of them have been listed in the chart above and will be expanded upon.

Outdoor Activities For (3, 4, 5) Year Olds.

outdoor  activities for kids

Source Link: https://whattogetmy.com/outdoor-activities-for-3-5-year-olds/

1. Nature Walks.

As the survey by the Washington Post indicated, going out in nature and taking nature walks can promote good health and happiness. To make your nature walk with your 3 – 5 year old even more exciting and something for them to look forward to, you can incorporate the following into your nature walks:

Bug hunts will allow them to learn more about nature and the little guys who live on the soil/ground. Buy them a good Bug Catching Kit for Kids and this National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Bugs to teach them about the types of bugs that they should be on the lookout for. You can take this book along on the hunt so that when they catch a bug, you can look for it together in the book and watch how excited they will get that they caught a real-life bug.

Rock Painting.

Intrigue them with stones and rocks by incorporating rock painting into your nature walk. Challenge them to pick as many different sized stones and rocks, as they can, while out on the walk, and then settle down with them once you get home, to paint the rocks with a good Rock Painting Outdoor Activity Kit for Kids . The whole exercise will keep them engaged and intrigued

Biking is both a good physical fitness activity and fun activity as well. A good tricycle is a good place to start in getting your 3 – 5 year old to start learning how to ride a bicycle. A tricycle is better because it is safer for them to use without getting injured. As they get older, you can then ease them into bicycles. You can take your nature walks with them on their tricycle while you walk. You can even decide to race them with their tricycle while you are on foot. They’ll love it very much.

2. Swimming.

Knowing how to swim is an important life skill for everyone, and it is also fun at the same time. With swimming, it is always good to start as early as possible to teach a child. Why not make it one of their outdoor activities if they haven’t started swimming yet. Not only does this help them learn, but it also helps you stay fit and in shape.

You can incorporate some fun into the swimming once they know how to swim, with a Water Blaster Soaker Gun for shooting water at yourselves while in the pool or Reusable Water Balls . This will make it more fun and exciting for both you and them.

3. Flower Gardening.

Get them interested in the greenery around them by introducing them to flower gardening, especially your 3 – 5 year old daughter, or general gardening for both your little boy and girl. Little girls tend to get fascinated with flowers at a very early age in life, and you can be sure that she will be taken by the pretty petals of the different flowers she sees around her.

If you prefer to ease her into it, you can start with an artificial Flower Garden Building Set while she is still 2 – 3 years old. This artificial flower gardening set gives her the chance to start learning how to arrange a flower bed the way she likes. And from there, you can have her start doing the actual thing by buying her a Kids Gardening Set to play with outdoors.

4. Outdoor Camping.

Camping is another exciting outdoor activity that children of all ages love very much. Make the camping extra thrilling and exciting by starting with your 3 – 5 year old setting up their camping tent with this Camping Tent Set Toys .

You can then make it fun outdoor campings to always look forward to by making it a 2 to 3-day outdoor camping experience, with a camping itinerary that looks something like this:

Day 1 – Scavenger Hunts combined with Hide and Seek.

Use this Scavenger Hunt Card Game to plan your scavenger hunt and set up exciting things to find in the hunt. Combine it with an element of hiding and seek for an exciting edge to the scavenger hunt. You can equip them with some cool Kids Walkie Talkies for them to use during the hunt and hide and seek as they try to find the hidden treasures.

Day 2 – Dinosaur Egg Hunt.

Buy them a Dino Egg Dig Kit For Kids to keep them busy in trying to dig for real dinosaurs and dinosaur eggs. Kids are fascinated by dinosaurs, and they will love a dinosaur egg kit that gives them a dinosaur egg hunt experience.

Day 3 – A Tea Party.

This would be especially enjoyed by your 3 – 5 year old princess. Little 3 – 5 year old girls love to have pretend tea parties in pretend high gardens. Buy her a nice Kids Tea Party Set and on the last day of camping, you can make it a picnic/tea party where she brings out her tea garden set and enjoys tea and biscuits with you. This will make her very happy.

5. Beach Activities.

The beach is another fun place where the whole family can have fun . If you live around a beach, you can take beach walks with your 3 – 5 year olds. To make your beach walks exciting, incorporate the following beach activities to your time at the beach:

Beach frisbee game.

Take these kids friendly flying discs when next you’re going to the beach and play a good game of catch with your 3 – 5 year old.

Beach animal hunts.

You can hunt for small sea animals that can easily be found on the shores of the beach , like sea turtles who normally have nesting grounds spread out on beach shores, and isopods.

Building sandcastles.

The sands of the beach are great for making tiny cute sand houses or sandcastles as they are called. You can join your 3 – 5 year old in making a beautiful sandcastle. This lets them plug into their creative side.

6. Painting.

Painting is a fun activity that allows your child’s imagination and creativity to come out unbounded. You can buy them a good Kids Painting Writing Doodle Board Toy which allows them to paint to their heart’s desire. This set is easy to clean and reusable which means that they can use it as many times as you want them to. It keeps them very busy and engaged and is another all-round winner when it comes to outdoor activities for 3 – 5 year olds.

7. Play in the rain.

Playing in the rain is a fun outdoor activity that no child should miss out on when growing up. The next time it is raining, let your 3 – 5 year old out and splash around in the rain with them.

And to make it super exciting, play with water guns while out in the rain. You can run around with your water guns having fun. This Backpack Water Gun for Toddlers is perfect for 3 – 5 year olds. And you can bring your own Adult Water Gun and have the time of your life with your 3 – 5 year old.

And even without the rain, you can create the same fun feeling that comes with playing in the rain with a Sprinkle & Splash Play Mat . Your 3 – 5 year old will enjoy playing on this mat and still feel like they are playing in the rain.

8. Playing Golf.

You can introduce your 3 – 5 year old to golfing with a good golfing toy set . This may get them curious and interested in golf, or they may not like it. The only way you will know for sure is by giving them the golfing toy to play outdoors with.

9. Outdoor Pit Balls And Tunnel And Bean Bag Games.

This is a fun and enjoyable outdoor activity that will need you to have the following toys – an Outdoor Mesh Tunnel , some Pit Balls , and a Bean Bag Toss Set . Set up the entire toy sets and let them have a blast jumping around, throwing bean bags, and hiding out in the mesh tunnel among pit balls. And even better, you can join them too.

10. Bowling.

Bowling is a fun sport that is enjoyed by everyone regardless of age. And with a Kids Bowling Set even 3 – 5 year olds can now enjoy this all-time favorite of everyone. These bowling sets are easy to set up outdoors. To make it even more beneficial by adding an educational element to it, you can buy these Bowling Balls Printed with Numbers to get them bowling and teaching them the basics of numbers at the same time.

Outdoor Games For (3, 4, 5) Year Olds.

11. sports..

The age of 5 and upwards is a good time to start introducing children to some contact sports like football, baseball, basketball, and hockey. Good playsets for these sports are a good way to get started to get them interested early enough. You can check out these Hoover Football Set , Baseball Set , Basketball Arcade Set or this Adjustable Basketball Hoop Stand , and this Hockey Set .

To make it exciting, have them invite their other friends over and let them make a competition out of it.

12. Water Balloon Game.

Water balloons are fun to play with. Fill up some water balloons and knock them around with some bats until they break and splash the water on you all. Children get a kick out of playing with water balloons.

13. Lawn Games.

This Lawn Bubble Mower for Kids is a fun and exciting outdoor toy to include in their outdoor games. It will also introduce them to lawn mowing too and who knows they may take to mowing the lawn the older they get.

Preschool Outdoor Activities.

Since children spend a great deal of time during school term at their preschools, it would also be good that outdoor activities are also incorporated into their time at preschool. Here is some fun outside activities for preschoolers.

Outdoor Physical Activities For Preschoolers

14. race you to the gate..

This is a physical activity that will introduce them to the sport of running. You can make small track-like marks on the school grounds and have them race each other. It is both fun and engaging. Give them small treats as prizes at the end. This will make them look forward to more of these races.

15. Garden Toss and Catch Ball Game.

A good kid’s friendly Toss and Catch Racket and Balls Set will make this game fun and exciting. It’s a good way to introduce them to table tennis and/or badminton. This is a fun outdoor physical activity for preschoolers.

16. Fishing.

You may wonder how fishing can be part of a preschooler’s outdoor activity. However, with this  Magnetic Wooden Fishing Game Toy and Magnetic Fishing Game Water Toy , you don’t need to go actual fishing at a pond. You can bring the pond to the preschool while having an educational element to your “fishing expedition” with your preschoolers. This is a good outdoor activity for preschoolers that not only teaches them about fishing and how it is done but also about different types of fish and alphabets too.

17. Egg and Spoon and Potato Sack Race.

Potato sack games and egg and spoon games are fun outdoor activities loved by everyone. This kids-friendly Potato Sack and Egg and Spoon Set also give 3 – 5 year olds a chance to get into this enjoyable game activity quiet early on. It is a good team-building activity and as well as a fun outdoor physical activity for preschoolers.

Outside Play For Preschoolers.

18. swings and seesaws..

Every child loves their swings and seesaws. Set up a sturdy swing and a Playground Seesaw in your preschool garden and let them out to play with it. It is one of the outdoor play area toys that children love very much.

19. Color Square Game.

Draw some color squares outdoors for them to play in, hoping in and out of the squares. Kids also love this game very much, and it is a good way of getting them to play together at preschool.

20. Egg Toss and Potato Pass.

This game will only be fun with this Egg Toss Set and Potato Pass Set . The fun with these as outdoor play activities is that while the children are tossing them amongst themselves, the eggs and potatoes have sensors in them that tell the children whether the pass or toss is soft or hard. The kids will get a kick from the talking eggs and potato. They are also fun educational toys to teach kids about how fragile eggs are.

21. Rocket Launching.

Teach them about rockets with these Cool Foam Rocket Launchers that are kids friendly for 3 – 5 year olds and will have them fascinated with rockets.

Frequently Asked Questions.

What are some outdoor games for kids under 5 ?

All the games listed in this article will be good outdoor games for kids under the age of 5 but above the age of 2 years old. For games and activities for children 2 years and under, check out our articles on 2 year old birthday day out ideas , Activities for 2 year old autistic child , and Activities for babies 12-18 months .

Conclusion.

Outdoor play is vital to a 3 – 5 year old’s growth and development. Taking them out in nature is good for them and will help them in their growth, and by engaging them in any of the activities listed in this article, you do just that.

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Good for group, thinking skills, social and emotional skills, body skills, school skills.

Tinkergarten believes that children of all ages are able to engage with our play-based learning model. We offer outdoor activities that suit a wide range of ages, because we believe that everyone should get the chance to tinker outdoors. No child is too young or too old to do a Tinkergarten outdoor activity.

A child’s most critical social development happens in their first 5 years. Tinkergarten’s outdoor activities are purposefully designed to bring 3 year old, 4 year old, and 5 year old kids together with their peers, their parents, and allow mom and dad to bond with their children more meaningfully. We believe this age is crucial for developing their thinking and emotional skills, as well as learning how teamwork can be integral to group activities. Our play-based learning model means that our activities are both developmentally stimulating and just plain fun!

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Campfire Recipes

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Map My Outdoor Space

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Trip to Mars

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Make Your Mark

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Animal Dance Party

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Take a Family Hike (and Enjoy!)

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Take a Welcome Walk!

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Shapes of Love & Joy

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Mud Families

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Pretend Camp-Out

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Community Nature Display

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Make Tiny Friends

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Make a Nature Puppet

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Nature Masks

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Spreading Kindness

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A Snack for Travelers

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Pick Plants for Pollinators

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Make Compost!

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Make Sun Catchers

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Play With Spirals

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Pumpkin Lanterns

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Make Pumpkin Boats

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Take a Listening Walk

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Coming In Is Part of Being #OutdoorsAll4

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A Winter Howling

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Parts and Wholes

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Clouds, Rain...and Meatballs?

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Take the Moon for a Walk

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Catching Colors

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Thank You, Parks

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Halloween Brew

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Tiny Friends

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Go Barefoot!

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Balancing Gnomes

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A Nest for Explorers

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Outsmart a Leprechaun

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Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds

This post might contain affiliate links. Click here for more information . Thanks for visiting!

20 Fun Outdoor Games for Preschoolers

July 9, 2019 by Sheryl Cooper

Inside: When the weather is nice, get outside and try some of these outdoor games that preschoolers love. Each one gets the body moving while also building skills!

Young children love to move, so we made sure to find games that can build large motor development while also focusing on other cognitive skills.

You can set these games up in your backyard or a nearby park and they are perfect for play dates , neighborhood get-togethers, and summer parties.

Many can be adapted for children of different ages, too!

outdoor games for preschoolers

15 Fun Outdoor Games for Preschoolers

CLICK HERE to find outdoor learning activities!

Color Golf  – A fun way to strengthen color recognition while hitting balls into the matching hole. (School Time Snippets)

Obstacle Course – Not only will children love the challenge, they will also be working gross motor skills. (Pre-K Pages)

Pom Pom Sort and Dash – Preschoolers can strengthen their color recognition skills while hunting and sorting different colored pom poms. (Days with Grey)

Giant Memory Game – Such a fun way to work on memory skills, and can be adapted for preschool, kindergarten, and 1st grade! (123 Homeschool)

Balloon Tennis – This activity is fun and easy for all ages and only takes a couple of supplies to make the rackets. (Glitter On a Dime)

Sidewalk Chalk Obstacle Course – A super simple movement activity that keeps preschoolers busy for quite awhile. (Toot’s Mom is Tired)

Magnetic Fishing  – Use your small wading pool or water table for a game of fishing. (Craftulate)

Water Balloon Baseball – Work off that energy while hitting water balloons with plastic bats. (Overstuffed Life)

Pedal for Numbers  – Practice number recognition while riding a favorite bike. (Dabbling Momma)

Rhyming Pigeon Race  – After reading “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus”, play a fun rhyming game that keeps the body moving. (Growing Book by Book)

‘Press Here’ Movement Game  – After reading the book Press Here, work on language, counting, and color skills while playing this fun movement game. (Homegrown Friends)

Moving Beach Balls  – Move the beach balls using pool noodles. A great way to work upper body strength! (Cloth Diaper Addiction)

Sponge Ball Toss  – It’s super simple to make your own sponge balls, and tossing them into containers is always fun! (Inner Child Fun)

Sidewalk Chalk Color and Shape Game  – Draw shapes in different colors for a fun hopping game. (Tiny Sidekick)

Pom Pom Toss Games – Make your own yarn pom poms and practice throwing them in different directions. (3 Dinosaurs)

Garden Treasure Hunt Game  – Write clues with chalk on the sidewalk and hunt for the items in your yard. (Nuture Store)

Marble Run Water Slide Game  – Slice a pool noodle in half to make a water slide for marbles and have a race! (Mama Papa Bubba)

Balloon Toss  – Fill balloons with rice and toss them on the chalk-drawn targets. (A Mom with a Lesson Plan)

Ice Bowling  – Recycle water bottles and bowl with a big ice ball in your backyard! (Learn, Play, Imagine)

Pool Noodle Obstacle Course  – Challenge your children with this fun obstacle course that uses pool noodles in the backyard. (Learn, Play, Imagine)

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

More preschool fun:

18 Outdoor Art Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Summer Literacy Activities

44 Preschool Outdoor Learning Activities

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About Sheryl Cooper

Sheryl Cooper is the founder of Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds, a website full of activities for toddlers and preschoolers. She has been teaching this age group for over 20 years and loves to share her passion with teachers, parents, grandparents, and anyone with young children in their lives.

Reader Interactions

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May 18, 2015 at 6:01 pm

How fun! We try to get outdoors as much as possible. Thanks for including our Press Here game!

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May 18, 2015 at 7:47 pm

I loved featuring it, Meredith! Thank you!

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May 7, 2016 at 2:33 am

Attracting activity outdoor game’s for children’s they required lot of strength and mind fresh..very good like sporty blog. Playschools in Bangalore

Sleeping Should Be Easy

25 Fun Outdoor Activities for 3 Year Olds

Looking for outdoor activities for 3 year olds ? Check out these fun ideas for your next outing with your child!

Outdoor Activities for 3 Year Olds

I want my kids to get at least an hour a day of outdoor time. And by “outdoors,” I don’t always mean an all-day trek—a walk around the block is enough.

At the same time, it’s all too easy to get tired of doing the same things, which can make you less inclined to get outside. Sometimes all you need is a list of activities on hand to refer to, ideas both old and new.

That’s why I’ve listed several of the best outdoor activities to inspire a few ideas for you and your 3 year old. These range from a simple walk around the block to adventures you’d likely need to plan for. Some are also available year-round, while others are seasonal. Let’s take a look:

Table of Contents

Activities near your home

Let’s start with activities you can do near your home:

1. Play with a sandbox or water table

Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Whether it’s with sand, water, or dried rice, kids love to explore with their senses. A sandbox or water table in your backyard can keep your 3 year old entertained and happy.

To make this even more fun, add a few props. Shovels and toy trucks are fantastic with sand, dried rice, or beans, while boats and balls that float work well with water.

Don’t have a table? A simple bucket of water with toys to “wash” can be all the fun she needs (always supervise around water!).

Free printables: Join my newsletter and get your Play Ideas Calendar ! The first sheet includes ideas, while the second is a blank template to fill with your own. Grab it below—at no cost to you:

After Work Play Ideas

2. Collect and forage

At certain times of the year, the huge pine trees in our neighborhood would drop the tiniest pine cones. My eldest and I would then head to the park and make a game of finding these baby pine cones.

What little things can your 3 year old find in your yard or nearby park? A few ideas include leaves, stones, sticks—anything plentiful he can forage and collect.

3. Write or draw with sidewalk chalk

Sidewalk chalk is a hit with my kids, even now that they’re older. The best part is you can write with chalk just about anywhere, from the driveway and sidewalk to the concrete paths in the park.

4. Walk around the block

Kids are curious about everyday sights, so take advantage of simple activities like walking around the block. Some of the things my boys enjoyed during our walks:

  • Pushing sprinklers back down that were still sticking up
  • Finding and counting lights and lamp posts (during evening walks)
  • Climbing up and down stairs at neighboring apartment buildings
  • Jumping over the lines of the sidewalk
  • Exploring tiny bugs, snails, and worms
  • Splashing in the puddles (perfect for post-rainy days)

It’s these little things that we often overlook but drive their curiosity and imagination.

5. Ride a scooter or tricycle

It’s not too early to show your 3 year old how to ride scooters or bikes . Several scooters have three wheels, like a tricycle, for extra support.

6. Plant seeds

Planting seeds in a garden is a fantastic way to get your child outdoors and to learn about the plant life cycle.

Start with easy-to-hold seeds like green beans, which also sprout quickly. Don’t have a backyard? Twelve-inch pots work well (just check the seed packet to make sure the variety can grow in containers). Check your local garden store for a great selection of seeds.

Vegetable Garden for Kids

7. Play catch

Your 3 year old may not be able to catch a small baseball in a glove just yet, but you can practice throwing and catching a large rubber handball . Throw or even kick the ball to each other—with the wide space of the outdoors, you don’t have to worry about knocking things down, either.

8. Bring toys outdoors

Can’t peel your child away from his toy dinosaurs or Lego sets? Bring them outdoors! Outdoor play in your backyard, patio, or even the front of your building can make the same toys even more fun. Bring out hula hoops, go on treasure hunts for small toys, and do crafts and art projects on a patio table.

Check out my top picks of toys for preschoolers.

9. Play T-ball

One of my sons loves baseball and can swing a bat like no other. This is a perfect excuse to head outdoors and practice a few of his swings. Even if your little one can’t hit a ball that’s pitched to him, a T-ball set  gives him the chance to swing a bat and practice hitting the ball.

10. Do outdoor chores

One of the reasons parents feel strapped for time is that we don’t include our kids in chores often enough. Makes sense, especially when getting them to “help” usually means the task drags twice as long as it needed to.

But when you think of the chore as an activity, then you’re combining the two. Start showing your child how to do simple, outdoor chores. He can rake leaves, sweep the patio deck, rearrange small pots of plants, water the bushes… anything to get him involved and outdoors.

The best part? He learns he’s a contributing part of the family and feels competent and sure of himself.

11. Blow bubbles

Blowing bubbles is one of those activities that grows with kids. It doesn’t matter how old they are, they can still like either blowing the bubbles or trying to pop them.

And since bubbles can get messy, this activity is a perfect excuse to head outdoors. A few favorites include bubble machines, single bottles, and jumbo bubble sticks .

12. Kick a soccer ball

Does your little one like to kick balls? Grab a soccer ball and goal post and head outdoors for a fun game! Show him how to aim the ball toward the net, or have him practice blocking the balls you try to kick in the goal.

13. Explore local playgrounds

Our local playground is our go-to park, but to add variety, we also visit others in the city. Each playground is different!

For instance, one has a water and sand table, complete with a faucet to turn on and off. Another has a pulley with a bucket you’d raise a treehouse-like structure. This is also a fun way for them to socialize and play with other kids.

14. Walk to school

Do you live near your child’s preschool (or older child’s elementary school)? One way to make sure he gets enough outdoor time is to walk to school. You might do this every day, every week, or even once a month.

Activities farther away from home

Now let’s check out a few outdoor activities for 3 year olds that are a bit farther from your home:

15. Run on a nearby school track

Do you have nearby high schools or college campuses? Many have running tracks available to the public. This is a unique way to encourage your 3 year old to run or even walk around the track. Plus, he can count the number of lanes or laps you run or walk.

16. Attend local festivals

Festivals are a fantastic way to spend time outdoors. Check your city’s website for local events that gather communities and celebrate cultures.

I’ve taken my kids to festivals that celebrate Mexican, Filipino, Italian, and French cultures among many others. Other festivals gather their local communities, like your town’s annual fiesta or Easter Egg hunt.

Our city hosts summer cultural nights where they feature performances and booths from a country or culture each month. The kids get to watch dances and participate in arts and crafts outdoors. They also host a cowboy festival as well as a vegan festival.

17. Shop at a farmers’ market

Skip the grocery and buy your fruits and vegetables (among other things) at a nearby farmers’ market. Many markets even have performers like musicians or balloon-makers. But going to pick out items to take home can be a great way to get fresh air. Older kids can even help pay for purchases.

18. Visit a botanical garden

Search nearby for botanic gardens so that your 3 year old can learn about nature. While many wouldn’t have you romping through the grounds, they still allow plenty of hands-on experiences.

Some even have hikes to climb, ponds to observe, or a children’s area that encourages little ones to explore.

19. Visit an open-air museum

Many museums incorporate open spaces into their architecture. They might have gardens, outdoor sculptures, fountains, and other sights that can keep your 3 year old outside.

Seasonal activities

And finally, let’s explore seasonal outdoor activities for 3 year olds. While some of these can be available year-round, more than likely, they’re best reserved for their optimal season:

20. Have a picnic

Welcome the warmer weather with a picnic at the park. You can go “all out” with a full meal (sandwiches, juice, fruits, cookies). Or you can keep things simple by bringing whatever snack or meal you were going to eat at home outdoors.

21. Swim in a pool

Whether the pool in your backyard or the local YMCA, swimming is a fun outdoor activity during the hot summer months. My boys learned how to swim because we go to the pool so often during the summer.

Kickboards , squirters, and noodles are fun items to bring. And get in the mood with these children’s books about swimming.

22. Pick fruits at a farm

One of our favorite summer activities is driving to a family-friendly farm. Besides the fun activities (including feeding the animals!), the kids also get to pick strawberries. This is perfect for 3 year olds since strawberries grow on the ground and are easily reached.

23. Go to the beach

Live near the ocean? Take the family for a fun beach outing! Bring beach toys to dig and build with and food to eat and snack on. Your child will love splashing in the water, sifting through sand, and enjoying the ocean breeze.

Check out these children’s books about the beach.

24. Attend summer plays and concerts

Performances can offer amazing entertainment. Search online for local theater groups—many offer free summer plays especially for little kids. You can even combine the show with a delicious picnic on a blanket. Some cities also host summer music shows that feature local bands.

25. Visit a pumpkin patch

If you’re lucky, you live near a pumpkin patch that not only allows you to choose a pumpkin, but to run through corn mazes, ride ponies, or paint their faces.

Hopefully, these ideas have inspired you to explore the outdoors with your 3 year old. I know it reminds me of the many options I have with my kids and how they can have so much fun outside. And who knows, maybe one day they can convince me to go camping, bathroom amenities or not.

Get more tips:

  • Physical Activities for 3 Year Olds
  • 20 Easy Activities for Three Year Olds You Can Do Any Day
  • What to Do When Your Kids Don’t Listen to You in Public

Don’t forget: Join my newsletter and get your Play Ideas Calendar  below—at no cost to you:

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

Nina is a working mom to three boys. She blogs about parenting at Sleeping Should Be Easy, where she writes everything she's learning about being mom and all its joys and challenges. She also covers topics like how kids learn and play, family life, being a working mom and life with twins. She is the author of several books and online courses, including the 5-star reviewed Parenting with Purpose and Same Side Discipline.

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The Imagination Tree

Creative play and learning for kids

60 Nature Play Ideas for Kids!

August 9, 2012 by Anna Ranson

Here are 60 amazing ideas for exploring nature with your child through play, art and investigation!

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

I recently gave a talk at a nature play group, in the middle of the woods, about activities to do with your child that involve natural resources and that encourage interaction with the natural world. Here are those ideas that I gave in that talk, plus many more, with links to some fabulous articles from some talented writers around the web!

Mud Use it to make a birds nest The Chocolate Muffin Tree

Concoct with it in a mud pie kitchen 

Paint with it   The Chocolate Muffin Tree

Have a princess mud tea party The Golden Gleam

Simply play with it Sun Hats and Wellie Boots

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

Sticks Paint stick creatures Growling a Jeweled Rose

Make instruments, weave material, and play games with them  The Good Long Road

Create a sistrum instrument from a branch Daria Music Make your own blocks from driftwood Let the Children Play

Push them into play dough Mummy Musings and Mayhem

Wood and recycled materials sculptures Let the Children Play

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

Stones Make a rock collection In Lieu of Preschool

Collect rocks and write a journal Creative Family Fun

Paint them to make monsters Red Ted Art Create a rock shop Let the Children Play

Simply sort and play with them

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

Leaves Jump and throw leaves JDaniel4’s Mom

Create colourful prints Putti’s World Laminate leaves for play and learning Sunhats and Wellie Boots

Paint them Putti’s World

Create some woodland people Red Ted Art

Make herbal play dough

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

Flowers Grow sunflowers  Kids Activities Blog

Use them to make flower play dough NurtureStore Make petal pictures Learn with Play at Home

Discover their magic tricks  Creative Family Fun Print with them  Nurture Store Make homemade lavender play dough Grow a Sunflower Fort in the garden Let’s Lasso the Moon

Make rose petal perfume

Pound them to create beautiful art Rhythm of the Home

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

Make a sculpture The Chocolate Muffin Tree

Serve them in a pretend play cafe

Create pine cone people  Red Ted Art

Turn them into funny creatures  Mummy, Mummy, Mum

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

Make natural ice boats Reading Confetti Paint with the rain Sunhats and Wellie Boots Search through rock pools Tinkerlab

Make your own rock pool at home

20 Ways to explore the rain Sun Hats and Wellie Boots

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

Collage Make a contact paper collage using natural materials   The Chocolate Muffin Tree Add natural elements to the art table Let the Children Play Stick leaves to make a crown

3D sculptural art Sun Hats and Wellie Boots

Nature Walks and Hunts Search for colours Glittering Muffins

Try out geocoaching Messy Kids

Go on an outdoor sound hunt Sunhats and Wellie Boots

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

Small World Play Farmyard with grass and hay

Dinosaur land with beans and plants

Frog pond  with water and rocks Let the Children Play

Make a magical fairy garden

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

For the days that you can’t get outdoors and explore nature first hand, go and gather some natural materials from your local woods, fields or beach and gets creative at home! Bring the nature home and let the connection with the natural world continue whatever the weather.

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August 9, 2012 at 3:17 pm

what a great list of nature activities!

i have a list of easypeasy ideas on my little blog, too: http://puppylovepreschool.blogspot.com/2008/04/environmental-education-kids-preschool.html

August 9, 2012 at 6:28 pm

These are great, I just shared them on my Facebook page!

awesome, thanks guys, cant wait to try them out (and thats without the kids too!). lots of messy play to come!x

August 9, 2012 at 9:09 pm

What a great list – making me wish it wasn’t 108 today so that we could go outside right now!! (Oh – 108 w/air quality warnings!)

August 9, 2012 at 10:58 pm

Thanks for the mention Anna! I’ve had a quite a bit of traffic from you today 🙂

I love the small world play ideas too. xx

August 10, 2012 at 7:38 pm

I found your blog through the Circle of Moms contest!! Congrats on doing SO well! I’m a new follower and I can’t wait to search through your site more! I hope you can stop by my blog sometime….I’m a mother of 2 and a former teacher of 10 years. Hopefully we can share some ideas!

1…2…3…Teach With Me Dots of Fun! Clip Art

August 12, 2012 at 2:48 am

Fabulous Collection Anna and thanks for using our ideas in the round-up!

August 13, 2012 at 3:27 am

What a wonderful collection! Thanks for including some of our playtimes x

August 16, 2012 at 8:11 pm

Looking through the content on here I think there’s a fantastic book to be published and a PHD to be had! Well done, keep it coming x

August 16, 2012 at 11:49 pm

So wonderful – you are so clever!! Sonia form Natural new Age Mum sent me over and I am so glad she did I will be sharing this on my facebookpage facebook/newagechild . 🙂

August 22, 2012 at 2:29 am

Wow, I love this post. So many great ideas. I think playing in nature and with natural materials is very important for young children. I have a post on my blog about the importance of playing in nature that compliments your wonderful nature ideas. http://www.howtorunahomedaycare.com/articles/the-benefits-of-playing-in-nature-for-daycare-children/

August 28, 2012 at 11:23 am

Your readers may find this post a good source of reference for other nature play ideas – it’s the links to 10 of my favourite posts which include nuts, sea glass, snow, feathers, etc. http://creativestarlearning.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/all-i-want-for-natural-christmas-is.html

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

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Outdoor activities for ages 3-5.

Childhood101

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15 Good, Old Fashioned, Outdoor Games for Kids

As I write this it is a beautiful, sunny Winter’s afternoon. Through the open doors I can hear the sounds of children next door playing outside – the loud, exaggerated counting and giggles associated with a good, old fashioned game of Hide and Seek. It is the perfect sound to accompany this sunny day and brings to mind childhood memories of so many good, old fashioned outdoor games!

Best old fashioned outdoor games for kids

15 Old Fashioned Outdoor Games for Kids

Many of the games below are linked to more information about how to play the games featured. Click on the green links for further details.

1. Hide and Go Seek : This classic children’s game is believed to have its origins in 2nd century Greece. For instructions on how to play and some fun variations, check out this article at Fun Games Kids Play .

2. Hopscotch : One of the most popular old fashioned playground games, that can be played almost anywhere – inside or out, at home or school.

3. Jump Rope : There are lots of different ways to play with a skipping rope but the most fun has to be had with a long rope and friends to hold either end!

5. Duck, Duck, Goose : An Australian classic circle game beloved by young children in kindergartens, preschools and day care centres.

6. A Tisket A Tasket (I Wrote a Letter to My Love) : This fun catching circle game has its roots in a traditional nursery rhyme ;

“A tisket, a tasket, A green and yellow basket, I wrote a letter to my love, And on the way I dropped it, I dropped, I dropped it, And on the way I dropped it, A little boy picked it up, And put it in his pocket.”

To play, children sit in a circle with their hands held behind them. One child skips around the outside of the circle with a small object (envelop, handkerchief, pebble or similar) to represent the letter. As the rhyme finishes, the skipping child places the object into the hands of one of the seated children. That player jumps up and chases the first child around the circle as they race all the way around to sit in the now vacant spot. If they are caught, they must sit in the middle of the circle for one turn. If they make it to the vacant spot, they sit in for the next round of the game. The chaser becomes the next to deliver the ‘letter.’

7. Elastics/Chinese Jump Rope : Played with a large loop of elastic made into a rectangle with two children standing inside the elastic with it stretched around their ankles, this classic childhood game is played with groups of 3+ children. A third player -the jumper – stands in the middle of the elastic to perform a series of increasingly difficult jumps.

Jumps include landing with both feet inside the elastic loop, outside the loop, one foot inside and one outside, and landing with both feet on top of the elastic rope. The elastic loop is raised as each sequence of jumps is completed without error, moving to mid-shin of the holders, then the back of the knees, mid-thighs, hips, armpits, and neck.

8. Red Light, Green Light : A great group game for getting kids moving in large, open spaces outdoors, it encourages them to listen and respond with concentration and controlled movements.

9. Go Home Stay Home : Played with 5+ players, one is chosen to be It. Dedicate a place to be ‘home’ – it can be easy or hard to get to, depending upon the age and experience of the players. It counts slowly to 50 with their eyes covered. The other players hide and, once the counting is complete, try to get ‘home’ without being seen and tagged. Once home, the player calls, “Go home, stay home, 123,” and they are safe. The last player to get home (or to not make it home at all, becomes the next It.

10. Scarecrow Tag : A super fun novelty version of the classic game of Tag, fabulous for classes or groups of children. Also known as Stuck in the Mud in some locations.

RELATED : For more like this, check out our collection of 10 Tag Games for Kids – with more fun variations that kids will love, and a handy printable version of the game instructions for teachers and parents.

11. What’s the Time, Mr Wolf? : A fun form of tag for young players played in countries across the world, from Australia to the United Kingdom and South Africa.

12. Please, Mr Crocodile, May We Cross the River? A great old fashioned outdoor game for play with groups of young children,

13. Kick the Can : A fun cross between tag, hide and seek and capture the flag, click through here for instructions for play .

14. Four Square Handball : A fun, popular game with children ages 8+ years, primarily due to its simple equipment requirements, easy rules of play and the fact that it can be played with groups of children.

15. Flashlight Tag : A fun tag game to play once the sun goes down, the tagger a flash light and play tag as you normally would in a designated area, except the tagger uses the light of the flashlight to “tag” people. Once a player is “hit” with the light they are out. Play continues until everyone has been caught and a new tagger is chosen.

So I am off now outside to draw a hopscotch grid with chalk on our drive, for an afternoon of family fun!

You may also enjoy;

• 7 Outdoor Scavenger Hunts

• 21 Old School Yard Games for Kids

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Read the comments or scroll down to add your own:

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August 8, 2010 at 9:53 AM

Go Home Stay Home was my fave!

August 8, 2010 at 8:55 PM

I loved playing freeze tag, red rover red rover, and flashlight tag as a kid! My 3 year old loves "hopscotch" (the modified version).

August 9, 2010 at 3:54 AM

I spent hours playing with elastics, jumping and singing with friends.

August 9, 2010 at 5:46 AM

my girls love these kinds of games… we spent lots of time earlier this year learning how to skip and that is a firm favourite!

August 9, 2010 at 7:03 AM

i loved Mr Crocodile may I cross the river?

Good old Ring a ring a rosy is currently a fave at this house…

And I hated Dodgeball too…freaked me out when I was a kid! I was actually told by my mentor teacher on my last prac that Dodgeball is a big no no now in schools? Is this correct?

August 9, 2010 at 7:04 AM

oh and like Squigglemum – I played Elastics with my friends for hours

"England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Inside, Outside, Puppy Dog Tails!"

August 9, 2010 at 10:41 AM

Leap frog and red rover are all the rage here. When I was a kid it was all about cartwheels.

August 9, 2010 at 9:11 PM

Love this Christie!

August 10, 2010 at 3:32 AM

My 8 year old has a dodgeball competition at school at the moment. He LOVES it.

August 10, 2010 at 7:14 AM

I couldn't tell you how many times I've played Duck, Duck, Goose with kids groups I've worked with. Not really a fav with me but they will play it over and over.

At home I've shown Miss M the game of hopscotch but it really gets played more like you were expecting Immy to play it. Our absolute favourite is a game of family Hide 'n' Seek.

I can't wait to get Miss M hoola hooping and skipping, well she thinks she can already do it but clearly she can't – very funny!

August 10, 2010 at 11:09 AM

I'm excited to try some of these, although with adjustments for one 3 1/2 yr old and a toddler! Sometimes I need a good reminder of things I can do with them!

November 1, 2010 at 1:59 AM

We used to also play ring a ring a rosie, stuck in the mud and red rover cross over. I also remember loving playing with one of those massive parachutes in kindergarten where you'd put balls on them & make them bounce around or ppl would go under & you'd try & catch them.. Good fun.

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April 11, 2011 at 12:06 AM

The list of children’s games is intriguing. I do know and play several with my preschool students, but am unfamiliar with others on your list. Have you or could you give the directions or game rules for the games listed below? • Scarecrows • What’s the time, Mr. Wolf? • Please, Mr. Crocodile, may we cross the river? • Elastics Is this like Chinese Jump Rope? • Piggy in the middle • Knucklebones (jack stones) • Marbles

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June 24, 2011 at 5:42 AM

I am looking for old fashion hand jacks. They were small metal 5 prong stars that stood up or stacked up on the floor when you flip them on the back of your hand. It also came with a small rubber ball. I am 51 yrs old played with them when I was 8, 9, 10 on my grandparnets porch.

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July 9, 2013 at 8:02 PM

You can find Jacks at some dollar stores in their toy isle. My 6yr old loves to play jacks.

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July 14, 2013 at 8:10 AM

Thanks for the tip, Rachael

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July 10, 2013 at 4:59 PM

Loved playing Baby in the Air with neighborhood kids!

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June 9, 2014 at 8:17 AM

Loved playing “kick the can” on summer nights!

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July 26, 2014 at 12:17 AM

Nobody mentioned “1, 2, 3, Red Light”.

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September 5, 2014 at 12:54 AM

My mom used to talk about a game she played in the twenties called RING A LEAP EO? or something like that. Does anyone know what that was? I never asked her.

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November 29, 2017 at 10:46 PM

Old Grey Mare May I 123 Red light I spy something. Old Maid Marbles, Jacks Jump rope, Tops & Yoyo’s Old Grey Mare

November 29, 2017 at 11:18 PM

Button, Button, Who’s got the button, A tiskit, a tasket, a green and yellow basket, I wrote a letter to my fellow and on the way, I dropped it. (as you can guess I don’t remember the name to this one, Just the chant. Hot Potato (Mr. Bush)

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April 10, 2018 at 1:27 AM

Does anyone know or remember a game plan yet with a rubber ball called tables

[…] idea is to try working with something that you used to love as a kid too. So why not work on some old-fashioned games with them […]

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

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18 Simple Movement Activities for Preschoolers

By: Author Tanja McIlroy

Posted on Last updated: 15 November 2023

Categories Gross Motor Skills

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

Need some ideas for movement activities for preschoolers? These are great activity ideas to try at home with your kids and can also be done with a class of children.

What are Movement Activities?

Movement activities, also called gross motor activities, are games, actions or activities of any kind that engage the large muscles of the body, thereby building gross motor coordination .

Movement is a natural state for children and as long as they have enough freedom to play and be, they will seek out regular movement through their play activities.

While free play is essential, there are many kinds of movement and gross motor activities you can initiate with children that will get the large muscles working together.

You may want to try a game or activity if you can tell kids need a break from intense activity, if they have not had much outdoor play , if you’d like to help them build skills, or just to have some fun, bonding time.

Through movement activities, you can work on skills such as turn-taking, cooperation, vocabulary development and social skills, or gross motor skills such as strength, balance , hand-eye coordination, agility and speed.

What are the Benefits of Movement Activities in Early Childhood?

During early childhood, regular physical activity is crucial for children’s development. Without movement, children would not grow properly and would have severe developmental delays.

Children’s brains grow and develop through learning and the main method through which children learn is by moving and exploring their world.

We see this in babies who spend hours every day moving around, exploring everything and anything.

This remains the case right through the preschool years as children still need tons of movement to continue to grow.

This is where too much screen time and sedentary activity can cause harm and why this should be controlled and never allowed to fill up the majority of a child’s playtime.

Here are some of the benefits of regular movement activities for children.

18 best movement activities for preschoolers - pinnable image

1. Physical Development

A child’s physical development occurs through movement.

Various physical milestones must be reached by various ages and therefore a child’s environment must be conducive to having the opportunity to move constantly.

In recent times, the term Container Baby Syndrome has been coined because nowadays babies are so often ‘contained’ in equipment that inhibits their natural tendency to move.

From birth right up until children are ready for formal schooling, they need complete freedom to move and be active.

2. Better Fine Motor Skills

Before children develop the fine motor control needed to perform tasks like writing, they must develop their gross motor skills. Gross motor coordination is a prerequisite to fine motor coordination .

Babies develop from the head down, and from the centre towards the outside of their body. In other words, they develop control of their head first, then neck, core, etc.

Later, they learn to use their arms and legs. The fingers, toes and other small muscles of the body develop last.

A child who has well-developed gross motor coordination will have greater success with fine motor activities such as feeding, dressing, tying shoes, drawing, completing activities at preschool and later on, writing.

3. Improved Concentration

Regular movement improves a child’s concentration. Providing small children with regular brain breaks helps them to re-energise and refocus on a task.

The more children are exposed to activities that strengthen their concentration and frequent movement breaks to extend their focus, the more their attention span increases over time.

4. Increased Brain Development

Children who are moving are sending oxygen to the brain. Oxygen is crucial for proper brain functioning and therefore increased circulation results in increased brain activity and the ability to learn effectively. [ source ]

5. General Health

Children who move generally become adults who move, and adults who move are far healthier than adults who don’t move.

Regular physical movement is necessary for overall health and well-being throughout life. Instil this habit at an early age.

18 Movement Games and Activities for Preschoolers

Here are some ideas for fun kids’ activities to try at home or at school. You don’t need any fancy equipment and you can improvise with many household or outdoor items.

These games are suitable for 3, 4 and 5-year-olds, but some can be adapted for 2-year-olds too.

This post contains affiliate links for educational products that I personally recommend. If you purchase through one of them, I earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Read the terms and conditions for more details.

1. Hopscotch

Hopscotch is an old favourite and one of the best active games for kids.

It teaches balance, eye-foot coordination and even some early maths skills .

2. Rolling Around

Pretend to be logs of wood and, with arms stretched overhead, roll around the grass. Then move hands to the sides and roll around.

Rolling is good for coordinating the back, neck, shoulder and hip muscles, and building strength.

If you have a sloped garden or can find a grassy bank at a park, rolling downhill is lots of fun and is a great movement activity.

You can also lay a blanket on the grass, hold one end, then ask your child to lie on the other end and roll themself into the mat, then out again.

3. Who Am I?

This activity promotes fantasy play and thinking skills, along with building gross motor skills.

Choose different animals and pretend to move like them. Take turns guessing what animal the other person is.

Try suggesting different categories to make it more challenging, such as animals that jump, fly or run.

Here are some creatures to try to imitate:

4. Obstacle Course

Set up your own obstacle course in the garden and get those large muscles working.

With a bit of imagination, you can set up a course out of waste materials or things found around the house and garden. Change them regularly to make the challenge more interesting.

Here are some ideas for your obstacle course:

  • Old tyres to jump into or climb over
  • Boxes to climb into or use as tunnels to crawl through
  • Planks of wood as balance beams
  • Tree stumps
  • A ladder laid down on the ground (to hop into)

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Children hopping into tyres

In this version of tag, as you catch and tag someone, they must freeze until someone else touches them and they are unfrozen.

This is best played with the whole family or class.

Chasing games teach children to move their bodies in space effectively (not bumping into people and objects as they move) and improve their speed and reaction time.

6. Simon Says

Simon Says is a fun game of following instructions that are usually movement based.

One person is nominated to be Simon and must give instructions that the rest of the players must follow. However, they must only carry out the instructions that begin with “Simon says…” and not follow instructions that do not begin with the words “Simon Says”.

Although this game primarily develops listening and attention skills, it is a great opportunity to build gross motor skills too.

Here are some fun Simon Says ideas with a special section of commands that will work the larger muscles.

7. Tight-Rope Walkers

Pretend to be tightrope walkers and practise the skill of balance and concentration.

All you need is a piece of string laid on the floor or elevated slightly and tied to the legs of chairs.

Walk along the string, placing one foot carefully in front of the other without losing your balance and “falling off the tightrope”, or “falling into a river of crocodiles”.

Or get children to walk along a curb or other narrow, slightly raised platform.

Boy pretending to walk on a tightrope

Young children enjoy symbolic play and you could even dress up for this one.

8. Jumping on Paper Plates

Lay some paper plates outside – fairly close together – and pretend to be frogs jumping on lily pads, or animals crossing the river by jumping over rocks.

As your children’s balance and coordination improve, move the plates further apart and in various directions so they have to map out a safe path.

9. Scavenger Hunt

The simple act of being outside in the fresh air and running around in nature is a necessary movement activity.

Why not try something fun like a nature scavenger hunt?

On a sheet of paper or cardboard, draw or paste pictures of objects found in nature and race around the garden or park looking for these items.

Items collected on a nature scavenger hunt

Or, make a card with pictures of insects – like in the example below – and walk around the garden with your children finding as many of these creatures as you can.

Try and take a picture of them when you find them.

Insect scavenger hunt

10. Ladder Jumping

A ladder is a great tool that can be used in a variety of ways. A jungle gym ladder (that can be removed), rope ladder or regular household ladder can all be used.

Lay the ladder flat on the grass and jump in between the rungs. Practise jumping on alternating legs and also hopping with two legs together, which is more challenging.

Hopping and jumping are important milestones in physical development .

Encourage your kids to walk along the side edges of a ladder to build balance.

11. Hula Hoop Contest

Hula hooping is a fun activity your kids will thoroughly enjoy. Being able to swing a hula hoop around your hips is no easy skill so it will take a lot of practice.

Older preschoolers may be able to balance the hoop for a little while but you can still let younger preschoolers or toddlers play with the hoop to try the movement.

When your kids build some skill, have a contest and see who can swing the hoop around their hips the longest.

12. Jack and the Beanstalk

Do you have a jungle gym at home or at the park with a ladder your children can climb up? Why not tell the story of Jack and the Beanstalk, and act it out together?

When Jack climbs up the beanstalk, climb up the ladder together and then tell the parts about the giant’s house while sitting at the top of the jungle gym.

This will be an exciting variation on storytime and will help your kids build strength and practise the skill of climbing.

13. Jump Rope

Learning to skip is an important gross motor milestone for preschoolers. The best way to introduce this movement is by teaching them to jump over a moving rope .

Tie a rope to a chair or other post and, holding the other end, swing it slowly back and forth as your children jump over it. Increase the height and speed as they improve their skill.

When they start mastering the skill of jumping, introduce a skipping rope.

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14. Listening Game

Play a movement listening game that involves listening carefully to and remembering multiple instructions.

Make up a series of silly instructions – such as “jump up three times, run around the tree and hop back with feet together” – and see if your kids can do them in the correct sequence and remember them all.

Start with only two instructions for younger children and add more as their age and skill allows.

15. Bean Bags

Bean bags are found in every preschool, and for good reason. They are an excellent resource for practising motor skills and you can use them in multiple ways:

  • Throw and aim beanbags into laundry baskets
  • Balance them on your head, or the back of your hand, while walking along a rope
  • Throw them and mark how far they landed, trying on each turn to throw them further
  • Crawl with a beanbag balancing on your back
  • Throw and catch a beanbag

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Here are more bean bag activities to try.

Cornhole game

16. Long Jump

Have a long jump competition with your children. You are not competing against each other but against your own records.

Mark off a starting point. Jump off the starting point and put a piece of tape where you land.

Then keep trying to beat your record, moving the tape each time you go further.

Take turns trying to better your own distance.

17. Balancing Contest

Have a competition with your children and see who can balance the longest, or put a timer on if you don’t want them to lose every round and see if they can beat their previous times.

Stand and balance on one leg, then the other, with eyes closed, etc. Place a bean bag on your head and see how long you can keep it there while on one leg.

18. Catch Bubbles

Kids love the thrill of chasing bubbles around the garden or playground. This activity doesn’t have to be reserved for only toddlers.

Make a game out of it and see how many bubbles your kids can pop each time you blow out a set. This is excellent for practising eye-hand coordination .

If you are playing with a few children, make a rule that each child must catch one bubble and two children can’t touch the same bubble.

This will work the reflexes and teach children to make quick decisions and move their bodies through space carefully.

Child trying to catch bubbles

As you can see, finding ideas for movement activities for kids does not have to be complicated.

Simply use your imagination and whatever objects and tools you have lying around and create a quick, basic game.

Get FREE access to Printable Puzzles, Stories, Activity Packs and more!

Sign up and you’ll receive a downloadable set of printable puzzles, games and short stories , as well as the Learning Through Play Activity Pack which includes an entire year of activities for 3 to 6-year-olds. Access is free forever.

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Jenjo Games

Wednesday 21st of July 2021

Activities like these are perfect for encouraging kids to have fun and to develop physical strength. Thanks for sharing these ideas, they are very interesting!

Tanja Mcilroy

Thanks for your comment! Enjoy the activities.

Susan Majak

Monday 28th of June 2021

I will look forward to working on it that is amazing.

Tuesday 29th of June 2021

Enjoy trying these activities, Susan!

Friday 22nd of May 2020

This is really educative,really love it

Monday 25th of May 2020

Thanks for the feedback Loide!

Friday 8th of May 2020

Will support our work with the pre school age group

Glad you found this helpful Joan!

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78 Perfect Preschool Activities For 3-Year-Olds

November 15, 2023 //  by  Eileen Zajac

Whether you’re planning for a full term or just a week of curriculum, we know the challenge of preparing activities for your 3-year-old preschoolers! We also realize that finding learning experiences that meet the different abilities of your kiddos takes a lot of time and energy. Implementing three to four 15-minute activities is the perfect way to hold your little learners’ attention. Use this list to find a few activities that can be easily integrated into your lessons, or used throughout the day during mini-breaks and transition periods. Let’s dive in!

1. Rainy Names

Did you know that learning and understanding names can boost confidence and build community in the classroom? This activity has your students paste raindrops with the letters of their names in the correct order. It’s perfect for a rainy day and for enhancing your students’ name recognition, pre-writing skills, and much more! 

Learn More: Instagram

2. Baby Tub Time

Your little ones will adore using dolls to improve social skills in this engaging educational activity! Hands-on activities like this one where they’ll wash and care for their doll will help your children gain a better understanding of how to treat others appropriately. 

Learn More: The Imagination Tree

3. Letter Fishing

Engaging and challenging activities for your preschool children that also enhance their letter recognition skills? Where do we sign up? Use a basket or fill a tub with water and let your little fishermen start casting for letters! This fun learning experience will engage even your most lively kiddos.

4. Counting Caterpillars

Your kiddos will love practicing their motor skills and number recognition by building little caterpillars! Draw some circles to create a caterpillar and then write a digit from 1 to 10 in each circle. Your preschoolers will match these to numbered dots on other circles that you have made from construction paper. 

5. Building With Magnetic Tiles 

Get your hard hat ready and start building with magnetic tiles! This activity helps develop your children’s motor skills and creativity, and is simply a lot of fun! Use MAGNA-TILES (or blocks) and have them either copy your creations or create their own designs! 

6. Kids Busy Boxes

‘Busy boxes’ will be a definite game changer for your preschool classroom! For this quick activity, fill individual compartments of plastic containers with items such as markers, dried cereal, or anything else that will keep busy little hands and minds occupied! You don’t need to get fancy – even a shoe box will work! 

7. Mini Pies

Preschoolers love being outside! Outdoor play gives your students the space to observe nature while they test out their skills! Imaginations will soar as they make mini pies by filling muffin tins with natural objects like black walnuts, dirt, and a sprinkle of grass to top it off! Just hope they don’t expect you to try their creations!

8. Color Sorting

By preschool, kids are usually pretty skilled at recognizing different colors, but that doesn’t mean this toddler activity shouldn’t be practiced. Have your children sort colored objects into matching colored dishes to learn critical thinking and organizational skills. This is a great activity to supplement lessons focused on categorization. 

9. Obstacle Courses

There’s no doubt that building motor skills is extremely important for childhood development.  This fun obstacle course activity will be a hit with your youngsters! It will also help them develop muscle strength, balance, problem-solving skills, sensory processing, and coordination – all essential components of motor skills! 

10. Name or Letter Recognition

You’ll love this activity that requires little prep and has multiple uses! Whether your kiddies are working on building names or identifying letters, these colorful sticker dots will spark their interest and enhance their recognition skills. Get them to match the letters with those on paper or use the stickers to practice building sight words.

11. Boo Boo Counting

Boo Boo Counting is great for developing math skills and for practicing empathy. Your young mathematicians will relate to matching numbered band-aids to the owie spots on a cardboard cutout of a child. Consider laminating the cardboard and using velcro to make this activity last longer – it’s a keeper!

Learn More: Toddler Rat Play

12. Logical Sorting

Add this one to your week of activities focused on logical sorting. Your little ones who are ready for a challenge will love using a grid to sort colorful little houses into categories to match both the house color and the roof color!  This activity will go a long way in helping them understand the relationship between different patterns. 

Learn More: Teachers Mag

13. Arrow Matching

This is an adorable hands-on learning activity that will develop motor skills and increase your children’s curiosity about nature. They’ll love matching arrows to create paths for a caterpillar on its journey to become a butterfly and for a spider to get to its web! 

14. Elephant Ring Toss

Any animal activity is sure to spark even your most difficult students’ interest. Use a recycled box to create a cardboard cut-out of an elephant’s face with a 3D trunk. Next, construct three cardboard rings. Have your children help paint the elephant before they start the ring toss game! 

Learn More: Pinterest

15. Swing Painting

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

This was one of those activities that couldn’t be left out of this list!! It combines two activities that are particularly calming for children – swinging and painting. Have them hang from a swing, paintbrush in hand, and let their creativity shine! This art project is a super way to vary things up if you’ve got kids who struggle to stay focused all day! 

Learn More: Homegrown Friends  

16. Splitting Hairs

Scissor skills are pretty vital as your preschoolers move on to kindergarten and elementary school! They’ll love using scissors to cut the hair of little paper people in this fun activity that builds their motor skills. They can build up to more wavy or zig-zag lines as their skills develop.

Learn More: Facebook

17. Dot Puzzles

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This one will be a good challenge for your little ones! Create a paper puzzle and puzzle pieces with a colored dot pattern and let your preschoolers work independently or with a partner to place the pieces over the matching part of the puzzle. This can be tricky so encourage them to ask for help if they need it!

18. Bubble Wrap Popping

Number recognition and bubble wrap? Now this sounds like a good time! Write numbers on the bubble wrap; the bigger the bubbles, the better! Next, read out a number and your children will pop the bubbles with a toothpick or even just their finger! Remember to mix up the numbers and spread them out when creating this exciting resource to boost their recognition skills.

19. All About Me Process Art

@art.is.smart All About Me process art with 3 year olds! #preschoolteacher #artissmart #teachersoftiktok ♬ Colors of the Wind – Instrumental – Vesislava

Sometimes slowing things down is the way to go! Have your kids participate in an artistic mini-portrait experience that focuses on the process of art more than the finished product. This project is great for getting them to understand the steps in making art, while also discovering different techniques, materials, and tools. 

Learn More: Tiktok

20. Playdough Shapes

@planningplaytime 70+ pages of Preschool Fun #preschoolmom #preschoolteachers #toddlermoms #preschoolathome #preschoolactivities #learningthroughplay #playtolearn ♬ Cute – Bensound

Everybody loves playdough, but using it for educational activities is a surefire way to get your class excited about learning! There are benefits to playdough free-play, but this tactile activity will also reinforce your kids’ knowledge of shapes. Simply print this template and watch your students mold their dough to match the shapes. 

Learn More: TikTok

21. Artsy Preschoolers

@carreyme Preschool teacher thangs. 3 year olds are amazing! Artist study 👩‍🎨 #pietmondrieaanstyle #preschool #preschoolteacher #preschoolactivities #earlychildhoodeducation ♬ Kyoto Flow – Official Sound Studio

Do you have an old art history book lying around? If not, track one down to inspire an early love of art in your preschoolers. Show them one of the masterpieces, open the fingerpaint jars, and let them get to work on creating their own interpretation of the painting! 

22. Spaghetti Play

Who doesn’t love a little spaghetti play? Add some different colored slimy ‘spaghetti’ noodles to your activity table and watch your students as they use their tiny hands to play with different tools to cut their noodles! They’ll have the time of their life with this super sensory activity!

23. Dancing Corn

@byemilylawson This is the number one preschool science idea on my blog for 5 years now #stemforkids #preschoolstem #prekstem #prekactivitiesathome #toddleractivitiesathome #activitiesfortoddlers #keepingkidsbusy #scienceismagic #scienceforpreschool #fallactivitiesforkids ♬ original sound – Emily | relatable mom life

It’s never too early to start experimenting with different science projects. This dancing corn demonstration is sure to be a hit with your preschool students! Place corn in a clear cup and then add baking soda and some vinegar to have your kiddos jumping with joy when the corn starts to dance! 

24. Painting Ice

@littlebirchpreschool #ice #preschool #earlyyears #tufftray #tufftrayactivities #heatwave #playingandlearning ♬ Ice Ice Baby – Vanilla Ice

This activity is great for a hot summer day; the combination of ice cubes and paint is the perfect mix to cool little hands! Add plenty of ice and paint to your activity table, and have your students use paintbrushes to explore the melting ice and the changes in the water’s color! What a cool activity!

25. Race and Paint

@daynursery Racing the cars while making marks! #makingmarks #preschoolactivities #activityideas #fyp #viral #trending #earlyyears ♬ Roary The Racing Car Main Theme (From ""Roary The Racing Car"") – Geek Music

On your marks, get set, paint! Your kids will have a blast dipping plastic cars into paint and letting them race to the finish, creating beautiful streaks of color in the process! Whether you have them race each other or just drive the cars around,  this activity will surely result in smiling faces and some eye-catching artwork!  

26. Alphabet Practice

@bigcityreaders #abcs #alphabetactivities #readingteacher #teachersoftiktok #teachertok #momtoks #preschoolactivities #preschoolathome #preschoollunch #preschoolmom #StJudeDadPhotos #fypシ゚viral #learningtoread #3yearoldbrain #alphabethack #letters #letterssong ♬ Face Dance – Funny Tok

Make learning the alphabet more fun with missing letters! Write part of the alphabet on a strip of paper, but cover a few of the letters with sticky notes. Then start singing the alphabet song and either have your children write the missing letter or let them reveal it by uncovering the hidden letter! 

27. Patterning

@play.inspire.grow Hands on patterning #earlymaths #simplemaths #preschoolmath #preschoolactivities #prek #teachermom #homeschool #earlyyearsideas #kindergarten #learningisfun #canadianmom #montessoriathome #learningthroughplay ♬ FEEL THE GROOVE – Queens Road, Fabian Graetz

Get creative by starting a pattern for your kids to practice ‘what comes next’! This activity uses a range of objects like stickers, dot markers, and manipulatives to teach them more about this important skill. Your little ones will love the variety in this task as they work to identify patterns and create their own!

28. Dressing Dolls

@mrs_burland Dress the dolls activity, encouraging children to strengthen their hand muscles and develop their fine motor skills. Also, encouraging independence. #earlyyearsactivities #finemotoractivity #earlyyearspractitioner #preschoolactivities #eyfsactivities #handandeyecoordination #finemotorskills ♬ Low Down – venbee & Dan Fable

Playing with dolls is always a great opportunity to help your students better understand themselves and others. You can gather a variety of small dolls and let your kids get creative by dressing them up! The small size will be more challenging for their little hands, making this the perfect practice for developing fine motor skills.  

29. Listen & Do

How good are your kiddos at listening and copying? Have them point to the body part they hear you say to increase movement and develop active listening and cognitive skills. Playing this game daily or a few times a week will reinforce important vocabulary and is a perfect break to get your active kiddos moving! 

Learn More: YouTube

30. Shake Your Sillies Out

Preschoolers have A LOT of emotions and brain breaks are vital to creating a positive learning experience. Your little ones need the time and space to express their feelings and  ‘Shake Your Sillies Out’ is the perfect song to make that happen! Play this video and let them go for it!

31. A Hole In the Bottom of the Sea

Are you planning a lesson about the food chain? This song is absolutely adorable, and the animation of the video provides a great visual for your little learners! They’ll love the repetitive lyrics that will help them better understand and remember the concept of a food chain.

32. Sight Word Surprise

Providing consistent exposure to letters and sight words is essential throughout the preschool years. This online learning game offers your kiddos this practice, and gives you the flexibility to use it for either in-person or distance learning!

33. Beginning Sounds

Your learners’ oral language development starts with an understanding of different sounds. This online phonics video is a great way to introduce initial letter sounds to them! Make this even more fun by projecting the video onto your whiteboard and having your children use magnetic letters to identify the beginning sounds of words. 

34. Guess the Fruit

By preschool, your students are probably familiar with many different types of fruit. This video can be used to assess what they already know while also giving them a chance to learn about some new delicious examples! Even your shyest kids will love showing off their knowledge on this topic!

Learn More: Youtube

35. Where Will It Land?

Making predictions in the early years is a great way to prepare your little ones for studying STEM subjects in elementary school and beyond!! This exciting activity introduces them to the concept of friction and to skills like problem-solving. Fast-track their interest in STEM by incorporating this into your preschool curriculum today!

36. Finger Painting

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

Foster creativity and sensory development with this messy art project! Give your students non-toxic paint and large sheets of paper, and let them use their fingers to create anything their heart desires! You can always rely on finger painting for a wonderful and relaxing tactile activity that enhances fine motor skills.

Learn More: Raising Children Network

37. Animal Yoga

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

No, it’s not yoga for animals! Your children will adore transforming their bodies into the shapes of different animals in this fun movement activity. It’s a playful way to promote physical activity, and flexibility, and introduce mindfulness and relaxation techniques to your young learners.

Learn More: Mother Natured

38. Puzzle Time

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

Puzzles never get old and are a perfect down-time activity! They’re a fantastic way to help your preschoolers develop problem-solving skills, hand-eye coordination, and persistence! Offer a selection of simple puzzles with large pieces and let them explore this challenge individually or in small groups.

Learn More: Amazon

39. Nature Walks

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

Take learning outside by going on a nature walk with your kiddos! Encourage them to observe their surroundings and collect leaves, stones, or sticks to use for art projects in class. Not only are these walks fun, but they also promote physical activity, observation skills, and an appreciation for the environment.

Learn More: The Artful Parent

40. Story Cubes

These story cubes are made with pictures and are perfect for your younger learners! Have them take turns rolling the dice to create a story based on the image shown. It’s sure to spark imagination, enhance language skills, and if done in a small group or whole class setting, increase collaboration skills!  

41. Playdough Creations

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

Playdough is an excellent choice for fine motor development and creative expression. This fantastic resource includes 16 activities with playdough to engage your preschooler in some hands-on fun! Your kids will love squishing, rolling, and molding playdough into figures, animals, and abstract shapes! 

Learn More: My Bored Toddler

42. Water Play

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

This activity is guaranteed to make a splash with your little ones! Set up a water table or fill a basin with water and add cups, sponges, and toys. It’s sure to be an enjoyable and soothing activity to introduce them to concepts like volume, buoyancy, and cause and effect.

Learn More: Kildare County Childcare Committee

43. Sensory Bins

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

This activity is a great addition to your preschool toolbox! Grab a few bins and fill them with items like rice, beans, or water beads, add scoops, small toys, or natural elements like twigs and leaves, and you’re good to go! Have your kiddies feel the items to explore textures and calm their active minds. 

Learn More: Sheeking Out

44. Rhyming Games

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

Engaging your preschoolers in rhyming games is a fantastic way to boost their phonemic awareness! Choose songs or storybooks to recite and identify rhymes, or have them create their own for an added challenge! Not only are the rhymes delightful, but they also serve as an important step toward developing reading and writing skills. 

Learn More: 20 Great Rhyming Activities for Preschool

45. Collage Making

Collages are an excellent way for your preschoolers to express their ideas in a visual way! With safety scissors, glue, magazines, and construction paper, your little artists will explore textures, colors, and composition. Have them share their stories about their creations to gain insight into their thinking and to give their oral language skills a boost! 

46. Obstacle Course

Obstacle courses can be tailored to any skill level, ensuring an inclusive experience for all! Design a course using cushions, ropes, and hoops to encourage movement and problem-solving. Your kiddies will navigate by crawling, jumping, and balancing to improve their gross motor skills. Watch as they overcome obstacles – both literally and figuratively! 

47. Dress-Up Play

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

A box full of costumes, hats, and accessories is a treasure trove for imaginative play! When your little ones dress up and start role-playing, they’ll delve into the world of make-believe, fostering creativity, empathy, and social skills! This activity will lead to spontaneous storytelling performances that will certainly showcase and celebrate your kids’ unique ideas.

Learn More: Healthline

48. Letter Hunt

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

Transform letter recognition into an adventure by hiding foam or magnetic letters around the classroom! Your children will love practicing their gross motor skills by reaching and stretching on their hunt for the hidden letters. This is a dynamic way to reinforce alphabet knowledge in a context that feels more like play than instruction!

Learn More: Hands On As We Grow

49. Parachute Games

Bringing out the parachute always sends the excitement sky-high! Your kids will love working together to lift and lower the parachute to make waves, bounce balls, or billowing mushroom shapes.  Games like this are not only fun, but also enhance teamwork, coordination, and gross motor skills. This activity is bound to captivate their attention!  

50. Bubble Popping

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

There’s something irresistible about bubbles! Blowing and chasing bubbles engages your children in a playful pursuit that enhances their hand-eye coordination while getting them to burn off some energy! They’ll soon tire themselves out trying to pop the bubbles before they float away!

Learn More: Red Ted Art

51. Matching Games

Matching games that use cards or objects are excellent cognitive exercises for your littlest learners. As they match pairs based on color, shape, or theme, they’ll be enhancing their visual perception, memory, and concentration. This simple social game encourages cooperation while also laying the groundwork for them to develop some more complex problem-solving skills.

Learn More: PBS Learning Media

52. Salt Tray Writing

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

It’s not just a tray of salt, it’s a tactile and sensory-rich experience for your preschoolers! You can guide them to use their fingers or sticks to practice writing letters, numbers, or shapes in the salt. This is a super way to encourage experimentation and reduce the pressure of perfectionism by having them just shake the tray to “erase” any mistakes! 

Learn More: Happy Hooligans

53. Balancing Beam

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

A balance beam is a great tool for developing coordination. Have your little tight-ropers walk across a real beam or a line of tape on the floor to practice controlling their body movements and strengthening their muscles. You could also integrate it with other learning, such as counting or reciting the alphabet while taking steps.

54. Homemade Musical Instruments

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

Creating musical instruments out of household items is a dual-learning activity! Your students will use their fine motor skills and creativity to craft their instruments, and use them to explore sounds, beats, and rhythms!  Have your mini musicians fill bottles with rice, or string rubber bands across a cereal box and start jammin’! 

Learn More: Playgroup NSW

55. Shadow Play

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

Shadow play is a totally captivating activity that blends art, science, and storytelling! Using a flashlight and a blank wall, let your children explore the properties of light and shadows by creating shapes and figures with their hands or with cutouts on sticks. This magical form of play invites them to use their imagination like never before!

Learn More: Koko Tree

56. Bean Bag Toss

This simple game is a great way to get your kids playing all together! Set up the targets and give them some bean bags for throwing; it’s a simple way to develop their hand-eye coordination and gross motor skills. Focus the play on cooperation or switch things up by adding some healthy competition! 

57. Gardening

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

Grow your little ones’ wonder with this hands-on activity! Have them plant seeds in cups filled with dirt or in a garden plot and watch their enthusiasm grow as they tend to the new sprouts! Along with learning about the life cycle of plants, this activity is a simple way to let them experience a little bit of responsibility.

Learn More: Baby Sparks

58. Cooking Simple Recipes

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

Get cooking with hands-on learning in the kitchen! Introduce your children to essential skills like following instructions and measurement using simple recipes to make sandwiches or fruit salads. These easy kid-friendly recipes are perfect to get them excited about cooking and they’ll love tasting their creations!

Learn More: Good To

59. Alphabet Fishing

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

This is the perfect activity to get your kiddos excited about the alphabet! Write letters on small squares with a paperclip attached, then have your learners use a fishing rod with a magnetic cast to reel in a letter! Fishing for the alphabet is a fun way to reinforce their learning around letter recognition and helps develop focus!

Learn More: First Palette

60. Mask-Making

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

This fun activity might result in an imaginative play or an outrageous costume party! Let your children make masks using a variety of materials like paper plates, feathers, sequins, and glue. Their creativity will come to life as they explore the world of make-believe and develop fine motor skills.

Learn More: Artful Parent

61. Puppet Shows

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

Puppet play is a great way for your preschoolers to explore drama and storytelling! They can use soft toys or even make their own puppets from old socks or paper bags. They’ll delight in the magical play and storytelling of puppetry that encourages creativity, language development, and even sharing their feelings!

62. Lacing Cards

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

These adorable cards will help your littles learn how to lace! This tricky skill makes for a quiet and calming activity that is also excellent for developing fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and concentration. Get going by printing these cards, cutting the holes, and gathering some old shoelaces! 

63. Recycled Material Building

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

No need for fancy materials with this creative activity! Collect recycled materials like boxes, tubes, and cartons, and have your little ones start building their structures. They won’t even notice that they are learning about physics and developing their creativity and problem-solving skills in the process!

64. Sorting Games

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

Sorting activities will help your kids to develop their foundational math skills like categorization.  Gather common items like coins, playing cards, and different types of beans and pasta, then challenge your learners to sort them by their shape, size, quantity, or category.

Learn More: Keep Toddlers Busy

65. Ice Cube Melting

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

This sensory experience is perfect for a hot day! Give each of your students an ice cube to hold and have them watch it melt; it’s a great way to teach them about temperature, states of matter, weather, and seasons. You’ll be surprised at how this simple activity can lead to such engaging student discussions!

Learn More: Stir The Wonder

66. Sticker Stories

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

This activity incorporates a little learning into your kiddos’ love of stickers! Give them some sheets of stickers and paper and let them go crazy!  Foster their creativity and narrative skills by encouraging them to create scenes or stories with the stickers. They will also practice fine motor control as they master peeling and placing the stickers.

67. Hopscotch

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

Sometimes classic games are just what you need and hopscotch is certainly one that never gets old! Draw a hopscotch grid with chalk outside or use tape indoors for a rainy day brain break. It’s a timeless game perfect for your little ones that promotes number recognition, balance, and coordination!

Learn More: WikiHow

68. Bubble Wrap Stomp

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

Your kiddos will love this activity if they can contain their excitement! Lay out a large piece of paper on the floor and set up some trays of paints. Next, wrap your little learners’ feet in bubble wrap and let them stomp out a colorful masterpiece! 

Learn More: Mess For Less

69. Shadow Tag

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

This fun twist on the classic game of tag is the perfect way to engage your children in an outdoor movement activity! Instead of tagging each other with touch, they’ll have to step on each other’s shadows! What a fun introduction to the concept of light and shadow! 

Learn More: Joyful Parenting

70. Kinetic Sand Play

Your learners will love this amazing sensory experience! Kinetic sand is less messy than traditional sand, but is still moldable; so they’ll still be able to make creative shapes and structures! This is a great way to encourage creativity while also keeping your classroom a little cleaner!  

Learn More: Access and Inclusion Model

71. Story Stones

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

There are no fancy materials required for this activity; just some stones! Have your children paint pictures on stones or do this yourself, and then encourage them to use the stones to tell stories. This fun activity encourages their creativity and is a great way to explore sequencing events. 

Learn More: Early Impact Learning

72. Color Mixing

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

Experimenting with paints is a sure way to hold your preschoolers’ attention! Provide primary colored paints and let them mix their own colors on paper or in containers, and use this printable sheet to record their results! It’s a hands-on way to learn about colors that can also feel like a magical experiment.

Learn More: Little Bins For Little Hands

73. Marble Run

There’s a reason marble runs have been around for generations! They help develop problem-solving skills, creativity, hand-eye coordination, and spatial awareness. Have your littles build a marble run using tubes, boxes, or a pre-made set. They’ll love predicting the path of the marble as they learn a basic understanding of physics principles like gravity and momentum.

Learn More: HABA USA

74. Stomp and Catch

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

Test out your kiddos’ stomping ability with this fun game! Create a launching board out of a wooden plank and a strong cardboard tube, then load it up with a beanbag on the end. Next, let your preschoolers stomp down, and then try to catch the beanbag as it’s thrown up into the air before it hits the ground! Is their hand-eye coordination up to the task?

75. Memory Tray

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

This fun activity will test your students’ memorization skills! Place several objects on a tray, let your children observe them for one minute, and then cover them with a cloth or piece of paper. How many objects can they remember?  

Learn More: Play To Learn Preschool

76. Nature Collage

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

Complete this collage activity after you’ve taken your class for a walk outside! Have them collect leaves, sticks, and flowers that they’ll use to create a beautiful collage. This is an artistic activity that ends up being a wonderful tribute to our wonderful planet!

Learn More: Mama Teaches

77. Alphabet Bingo

outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

Shake up the classic game of Bingo by playing it with letters instead of numbers! Your children will love practicing letter recognition by identifying the letters they hear them called out and the excitement of calling out Bingo when their card is full! It’s a fun group activity that encourages active listening. 

Learn More: New Horizon Academy

78. Dance Party

There’s nothing like watching your little ones get their wiggles out by dancing to a good tune! Play some upbeat music and let them dance freely; we’ve even found the perfect playlist to get you started!  Dance parties are a simple way to encourage physical activity and rhythm, and to foster a little bonding during a joyful group activity! 

Learn More: Miss Nina

IMAGES

  1. Outdoor Activities for Toddlers

    outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

  2. 25 Fun Outdoor Activities for 3 Year Olds

    outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

  3. Outdoor Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers

    outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

  4. 50+ Outdoor Activities for Kids (of all ages!)

    outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

  5. Toddler Outdoor Activities

    outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

  6. Outdoor Activities for 3 Year Olds

    outdoor activities for 3 5 year olds in nursery

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  1. Outdoor activities for kids

  2. Low Cost Child's Summer Fun Activity ☀️ #kidssummeractivites

COMMENTS

  1. 75 Easy Outdoor Activities & Play Ideas For Preschoolers

    packing (and unpacking) opening (and shutting) get messy move, move, move!* Most of the preschooler activities listed in this post involve one or more of the above. And of course, taking these types of activities outside just opens a world more possibilities, for any activity that involves, water, paint or any other type of mess…

  2. Outdoor games for 3 to 5 year olds: 20 fun 15-minute ideas

    Your 3 to 5 year old loves getting outdoors for active play - and there are lots of fun games you can play together in the garden, the backyard or the local park without too much prep or faffing around for materials.

  3. 20 Educational Outdoor Activities for Preschoolers [Updated for 2024]

    20 Educational Outdoor Activities for Preschoolers [Updated for 2024] Outdoor activities for preschoolers have numerous physical, social-emotional, and cognitive benefits and promote an appreciation for nature. When it's time to play outside, these preschool outdoor activities will keep children engaged in inspiring new ways. brightwheel.

  4. 44 Preschool Outdoor Learning Ideas

    Water Spray Alphabet Hunt: Work on letter recognition or letter sounds with water and a spray bottle! (Mom Inspired Life) ABC Excavation Sensory Bin: Fill ice trays with ABC beads and freeze for a fun letter exploration activity. (Parenting Chaos) Garden ABC Hunt: Get outside and enjoy some fresh air while practicing letter recognition.

  5. Outdoor Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers

    Obstacle course by Toddler Approved. Sound Hunt by Toddler Approved. Family Jogging Club by Toddler Approved. Chalk Outdoor Game by Days with Grey. Driveway Shape Maze by Creative Family Fun. Ride Around the Alphabet by Toddler Approved. Toddler Color Hop by Learn Play Imagine.

  6. The EYFS Outdoors: 38 Outdoor Learning Activities

    1. The Early Years outdoors: Personal, social, and emotional development ideas Try low-level experiences for babies and young children, like using old tyres as a sturdy base for investigations - they could be a holder for a washing-up bowl for water play or a planter for herbs to investigate with their key person.

  7. Ideas for Children's Outdoor Play Areas and Activities

    Outdoor play areas that draw children in to explore, experiment and build upon are those that usually have a mix of fixed spaces as well as lots of opportunities to access loose parts and open ended materials that they can move around, rearrange and add to the spaces in different ways to extend upon their play.

  8. 50+ Outdoor Activities for Kids (of all ages!)

    What are some activities to do outside? I have 50+ activities listed here and I split them into FOUR categories for outdoor fun: Arts & crafts STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) Water & ice play

  9. 20 Best Outdoor Games for Kids: Fun Ways to Play Outside

    Party on! Classic Outdoor Party Games Kids Love SPUD The object of this ball game is to run as far and as fast as possible from the person who is throwing the ball and to dodge the ball when it's thrown at you without moving your feet.

  10. Outdoor Activities for 3-5 Year Olds

    1. Nature Walks. 2. Swimming. 3. Flower Gardening. 4. Outdoor Camping. 5. Beach Activities. 6. Painting. 7.

  11. Tinkergarten Activities

    Tinkergarten's outdoor activities are purposefully designed to bring 3 year old, 4 year old, and 5 year old kids together with their peers, their parents, and allow mom and dad to bond with their children more meaningfully.

  12. Fun Outdoor Games for Preschoolers

    Water Balloon Baseball - Work off that energy while hitting water balloons with plastic bats. (Overstuffed Life) Pedal for Numbers - Practice number recognition while riding a favorite bike. (Dabbling Momma) Rhyming Pigeon Race - After reading "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus", play a fun rhyming game that keeps the body moving.

  13. 25 Fun Outdoor Activities for 3 Year Olds

    1. Play with a sandbox or water table 2. Collect and forage 3. Write or draw with sidewalk chalk 4. Walk around the block 5. Ride a scooter or tricycle 6. Plant seeds 7. Play catch 8. Bring toys outdoors 9. Play T-ball 10. Do outdoor chores 11.

  14. 60 Nature Play Ideas for Kids!

    Mud Use it to make a birds nest The Chocolate Muffin Tree Concoct with it in a mud pie kitchen Paint with it The Chocolate Muffin Tree Have a princess mud tea party The Golden Gleam Simply play with it Sun Hats and Wellie Boots Sticks Paint stick creatures Growling a Jeweled Rose

  15. Fun outdoor activities for 3 year olds

    1. Learn to ride a bike Can 3 year olds learn to ride a bike? You bet they can! For many years, tricycles were the go-to bike for teaching toddlers how to learn this skill, and there's no doubt that pedalling a tricycle is great fun. However, a better option is the balance bike.

  16. Nursery Outdoor Play Area Ideas

    You might also like to use our brilliant Early Years (Ages 3-5) Topic: Making Bird Feeders Video Lesson. Children can watch this helpful video and then create their own bird feeders for your outdoor area. Our EYFS Nature Babies Outdoor Learning: Into the Garden resource contains lots of lovely activities to support garden play in the early years.

  17. 16 Indoor and Outdoor Group Games for Preschoolers

    1. Simon Says. Simon Says is a classic game that can be altered to fit your particular needs. It can be an indoor game or an outdoor game. With small children, you as the parent will usually be Simon. To play Simon Says, the person who is chosen as Simon gives a set of commands and the children must follow them.

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    OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES FOR AGES 3-5 OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES FOR AGES 3-5 OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES FOR AGES 3-5 Article. Camp Indoors With a Cozy Reading Fort Article. 7 Outdoor Play Projects Sign Up and Get 10% Off Books! Raise a reader by getting the best book recommendations, reading tips, and discounts delivered straight to your inbox. PLEASE ENTER A VALID ...

  19. 15 Good, Old Fashioned, Outdoor Games for Kids

    For Kids: Jump Rope Games. 4. Piggy in the Middle (Keep Away): Two players take turns throwing the ball to each other over the head of a third player standing in between them. If the person in the middle catches or recovers the ball, the last person to throw it becomes the new "piggy" in the middle. 5.

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    Here are 10 simple and fun activities for parents and preschoolers to do together: 1. Trace letters together. Three-year olds are often big fans of drawing. They'll make circular people with stick limbs and funny faces all day if you let them! Use this penchant for art by helping them trace letters. Buy paper meant for this purpose with red ...

  21. 39 Gross Motor Activities for Preschoolers and Toddlers

    Lay pillows and cushions around the floor to make a trail. Let your toddler or preschooler make their way from one end to the other. 17. Chasing Bubbles. The simple act of blowing bubbles, and letting your child run, jump, and pop them will provide a workout for their gross motor skills. 18.

  22. 18 Simple Movement Activities for Preschoolers

    18 Movement Games and Activities for Preschoolers. Here are some ideas for fun kids' activities to try at home or at school. You don't need any fancy equipment and you can improvise with many household or outdoor items. These games are suitable for 3, 4 and 5-year-olds, but some can be adapted for 2-year-olds too.

  23. 78 Perfect Preschool Activities For 3-Year-Olds

    1. Rainy Names Did you know that learning and understanding names can boost confidence and build community in the classroom? This activity has your students paste raindrops with the letters of their names in the correct order. It's perfect for a rainy day and for enhancing your students' name recognition, pre-writing skills, and much more!