Going on a walk has become my favorite part of the day as we continue to stay safer at home. Moods are immediately improved and my two boys and I appreciate the chance to get fresh air, a change of scenery, and our wiggles out.

 

My 4 year old and I have started finding fun ways to spruce up our walks. I taught him the classic I-Spy game and we’ll go back and forth while my one year old tries to summon any animal he sees to him. The squirrels just look too cuddly.

 

Here are some of the ways we engage with the nature around us as we stroll.

 

1. Color Hunt

Pick a color and try to find as many things as you can that are the color you picked. You could even switch it up and search for shapes instead!

 

2. Alphabet Search

A is for Ant, B is for Butterfly, C is for Cloud…. Start at A and keep an eye out for things out in nature to complete the alphabet. See how far you get!

 

3. Nature Journal

Take a little notebook and some pencils/makers/crayons. Find something interesting and draw it! If your child is old enough, have them write down observations. My son is 4 so can’t yet write down or accurately express himself in drawings. But what we can do is record the colors of what he’s seeing, size comparisons, the amount of whatever he’s observing, and shapes. I am constantly surprised at the things he notices and the connections he makes.

 

4. Nature Bingo

Try our Take-Home version of Nature Bingo. Fill in the blank bingo card with things you might see around your yard or neighborhood on one walk. The next time out see if you can get 4 in a row. BINGO! If you don’t have access to a printer (like me), you can easily replicate it by tracing an 8×8 grid on a piece of paper. I used a spool thread, but you could use whatever you have at home, even a different shape! You can find a printable version here.

 

I found these two resources interesting. Some of the activities won’t work in my neighborhood, but I’m excited to try the ones that do!

 

Project Learning Tree

Teach Starter

 

Happy Walking!