5 Exciting & Educational Outdoor Activities for 6-7 Year Olds

As parents, we all want our children to be happy, healthy and active. One of the best ways to help them develop physically, mentally and socially is through engaging in outdoor activities. Not only are they fun, but they also offer a host of benefits such as improving physical fitness, coordination, creativity, and self-confidence. In this article, we will explore five exciting and educational outdoor activities for 6-7-year-olds.

1. Nature Scavenger Hunt

A nature scavenger hunt is an excellent way to turn a simple walk in the park into an exciting adventure for your child. To organize a scavenger hunt, make a list of items that can be found in nature such as a pinecone, a butterfly, a flower, and a bird. You can also add some educational value to the game by asking your child to find leaves that differ in shape, texture, or color. As you explore the surroundings with your child, tick off items from the list as you find them. Not only will this activity help your child develop observation skills, but it will also foster an appreciation for nature.

2. Gardening

Gardening is a fantastic activity that can teach your child responsibility, patience, and a respect for nature. By engaging in gardening, your child will learn how to plant and care for different types of plants and appreciate the hard work that goes into growing food. You can start small by planting some herbs, vegetables, or flowers at home. Make sure to involve your child in the entire process, from planting the seed to harvesting the produce. Gardening can be a great way to encourage healthy eating habits while fostering a love for the environment.

3. Obstacle course

Obstacle courses are an excellent way to get your child moving and improve their coordination skills. You can create an obstacle course in your backyard or local park by using items like cones, hula hoops, jump ropes, and balance beams. Set up the course in a way that challenges your child’s physical abilities and encourages them to use problem-solving skills. You can make it more fun by timing them and offering a reward for completing the course with the fastest time. Obstacle courses have been shown to enhance cognitive and motor development, which can lead to a better-performing child in school.

4. Arts and Crafts

Arts and crafts are an excellent way to stimulate your child’s imagination and creativity. Give your child a chance to create art with natural materials found outdoors. Let them collect different leaves, flowers, and sticks to incorporate into their creations. You can also use outdoor scenery as inspiration for your child’s drawings, sculptures, or paintings. Arts and crafts can boost your child’s self-confidence and improve their fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and problem-solving abilities.

5. Storytelling

Storytelling is a great activity to engage your child’s imagination and creativity. Take your child on a nature walk and encourage them to observe the environment closely. Ask them questions about what they see, hear, smell, and feel. Based on their observations, ask them to create a story that incorporates different elements of the natural environment. You can also encourage your child to write or illustrate their storybook to make it a more interactive experience. Storytelling can help your child develop communication skills and enhance their language and literacy abilities.

In conclusion, outdoor activities are an excellent way to help your child develop physically, mentally and socially while having fun. By engaging in nature scavenger hunts, gardening, obstacle courses, arts and crafts, and storytelling, you can help your child develop critical thinking skills, creativity, self-esteem, and independence. So what are you waiting for? Get outside and start exploring today!