Outdoor play for toddlers
Toddlers need to practise their walking skills by getting outside each day.
The more they walk, the sturdier they will be on their feet.
Here are a few activities you can do:
One- to two-year-old
* When going for a walk, let your toddler walk alongside the pram and try out different sorts of steps – big ones, little ones – and the odd jump.
* When you are out and about, point to and name all the things you can see, such as cars, busses, bicycles, shops, trees, squirrels and birds. Ask your child if she can point to them, too.
* Set out some tempting objects in your garden for your toddler to investigate. Try a folded-up rug with some toys hidden inside, a set of empty cardboard boxes, a pile of garden seat cushions, or a basket of small, safe household items.
* Try rolling a ball along the ground for your toddler to run after, drop it in a cardboard box, or kick and throw it.
* Feed the ducks – toddlers love doing this.
Two- to three-year-olds
Children of this age are very energetic. Getting outside can help relieve any stress of being confined indoors for too long.
* Give your toddler a paintbrush and a pot of water and let him paint pictures on a sheet on the grass. Perhaps let him step in a bowl of water and make a trail of wet footprints for you to follow.
* Pretend to be different animals and make the actions and sounds to go with them. Creep like a cat, jump like a bunny, sway your head like a cow and waddle like a duck.
* On a sunny day, show your toddler how to stand with the sun behind him and make shadow patterns on the ground with his arms.
* On a windy day, give your child a length of ribbon and let him run around to make it blow behind him. Or make flags by sticking squares of paper on lollypop sticks and watch them flap in the wind.
* Let your toddler take his ride-on toy to the park.
While your toddler plays these games, make sure you or a responsible adult are supervising or nearby at all times.
Three- to four-year-olds
There are lots of fun things to do outside with pre-school children.
* Take a basket when you go for a walk in the park or countryside. Collect interesting bits of natural objects, such as bark, leaves and acorns to label and display at home. Do the same for seaside jaunts with shells, pebbles and seaweed.
* Cut out squares of cardboard and dot them reasonably close together around the garden. Then ask your child if he can walk across them without falling into the “sea”.
* Put out a large washing-up bowl of bubbly water and let your child wash his teddy’s clothes and hang them on a mini washing line.
* Put a large bowl on the ground and ask your child to throw a ball in it. If he gets the ball in, ask him to take a step back and try again. See how far away he can be and still hit the target.
* Count how many times your child can hop on one leg.
