5 Creative Ways to Encourage Your Elementary Schooler to Play in Nature

Are you an educator, parent, or caregiver searching for creative ways to get your child or student involved in the outdoors? Well, you're in luck! Here are 5 creative ways to encourage your elementary schooler to play in nature. Ready? Let's get started!

1. Paper bag books.

Grab a paper bag and fold it into a book. Use a pocket from the natural bag shape to go outside and have the child gather nature, then have your elementary schooler write a story about the items they have collected on the other pages of the book.

2. The "capture what you see" game.

Have your elementary schooler capture every nature item they see on a camera, then go home and print them out. Have your child make a collage out of the photos. If they have favorite TV series, game, or movie characters then print them out too to add into the collage.

3. Treasure hunt.

Get a variety of small prizes or heartwarming notes and place them outside in a park or your backyard. Draw a map for your child and go on a treasure hunt!

4. Pirates.

Craft an eye patch out of paper or felt and go outside with your child. Pretend to be pirates on a sinking shape by balancing and hopping on one leg. This game may be best suited for young children working on gross motor skills. Have races using unique ways of walking, or make an obstacle course out of sticks and small rocks. If your child is super crafty, build a boat out of cardboard.

5. Make a shape out of nature.

Go on a hike or somewhere where there a lot of small rocks, sticks, or other objects. Have your child make their favorite animal, character, or person out of these rocks. Alternatively, make a maze or obstacle course.

Note: The author of this article, Samantha Kilburn, is an elementary education student and not a professional. This article is the result of her learning in class and application to the real-world.