Working out ways to keep the young ones occupied during lockdown is stretching everyone’s imagination at the moment; whether you’re a parent or a nursery manager. But there are still great ways to combine some valuable fresh air and exercise with educational learning and we thought we’d share a few ideas for those who are needing a bit of inspiration.
Enjoy some fir tree fun
The wonderful thing about all the pine trees we have in this country is that they provide a lovely green backdrop during the dour winter months. But that’s not all there is to them. Young kids can really get in touch with their senses in a copse of fir trees. They can smell the pine. They can feel the roughness of the needles. They can go on a hunt for pinecones and see who can find the biggest one. It’s fun packed with fresh air that can create long lasting memories through the senses.
Make a pinecone bird feeder
Winter is hard for birds, and the youngsters will love seeing their hard work pay off as birds nibble at what they’ve made. Grab the largest pine cones you can find and tie a string around each one so it can dangle from a branch. Then mix peanut butter with some oats and get the kids to spread the mixture over the pinecones, poking it in between the scales. Then, role the cones in some birdseed until they’re covered, find some branches, hang the cones, and head back inside to watch and enjoy. Who knows, you may even attract the odd squirrel or two!
Crystalise some bubbles
Yes, bubble blowing is a great giggle creator in the summer. However, on a really chilly winter’s day, it can create some wondrous sights to behold. Get the kiddies to blow a few bubbles and see how their eyes light up as they watch them turn solid. Then encourage them to gently nudge and roll them around without breaking them; it’s harder than you think. And by the way… top tip… make sure the bubble solution is cold before they start using it!
Plan a scavenger hunt
There’s nothing more fun sometimes than going for a walk with an objective. So pull together a list of things that the youngsters can find… and go on a scavenger hunt. Include things like stones, twigs, leaves, and pinecones, of course, but also include berries, animal tracks, and droppings (though you can leave those where you find them). Bring back some of your booty, and you can then plan the next day’s outside fun, which we’ll outline in the following point.
Help the wildlife in your garden
It’s a dormant time for a lot of nature, of course, but different species will make use of every little haven they can find. We’ve already mentioned making a bird feeder, but birds still need water in the winter, and when everything is frozen it can be hard for the them to find. So put a container out with some water, and keep it melted across the colder weeks. Plus, get the kids to grab some leaves, twigs, logs, pinecones etc. and build a little pile in a corner. It’s the perfect refuge for small mammals, hedgehogs, creepy crawlies, and even frogs. Great fun to watch from the window!
We hope that’s given you a few extra ideas to add to your exercise armoury. And hey, why not take a few photos and share them on social media with us! Lets spread the fun around…