Children are naturally drawn to playing outside and there are numerous benefits of outdoor play: it allows them to explore their environment, develop muscle strength and coordination, and gain self-confidence. Playing actively outdoors also increases flexibility, fine and gross motor skills, and is related to the development of a wide variety of physical skills, including those involved in sports.<\/p>\n
Play Scotland<\/a><\/p>\n Why Play Matters<\/a><\/p>\n The Power of Play<\/a><\/p>\n Here are a lot of games and ideas to play with your child.<\/p>\n Active Ways to Play<\/a><\/p>\n Active Animal Fun<\/a><\/p>\n Messy play<\/strong>\u00a0allows children to create, build, develop their imaginations, explore textures, use their senses and it\u2019s fun!!\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Playful Families<\/a><\/p>\n Parents Play with 8 – 12 years olds<\/a><\/p>\n Mucky Play<\/a><\/p>\n Child’s Play – Top Ten Tips<\/a><\/p>\n Nature Play<\/a><\/p>\n Using a long piece of wood\/taped line can you walk along this without falling off.<\/p>\n Great activity for balance coordination.<\/p>\n Using your hands as the rackets, how long can you bat the balloon for or before it bursts!<\/p>\n You can even fill the balloon with water to give it more weight.<\/p>\n There are different actions for each type of bean.\u00a0 Each time the name of the bean is called out, the child(ren) should do the correct action.\u00a0 Great fun!<\/p>\n One person blows the bubbles the others try and catch them before they fall to the ground.<\/p>\n Good for family fun.<\/p>\n Put music and dance.\u00a0 You can also play freeze.\u00a0 Every time you stop the music you have to stand still.<\/p>\n Stand in a circle and throw a tennis ball to one another until someone\u00a0doesn\u2019t catch it or drops it.<\/p>\n That person will then have to go down on one knee. \u00a0Continue playing. \u00a0If they drop the ball again they\u2019ll go down on both knees, followed by each of their elbows and finally lying down.<\/p>\n If they drop it again, they\u2019re out. Last person standing wins!<\/p>\n Dig in the earth and see what creatures you can find.\u00a0 Remember and put them back.<\/p>\n Digging is good for building muscles.<\/em><\/p>\n One person is the seeker the others have to hide. \u00a0The seeker will close their eyes and count to anything from 10 to 100 while the others go and hide. \u00a0The last person found becomes the seeker.<\/p>\n How many jumps can you do in the count of 20.\u00a0 (You can also use an egg timer for this).<\/p>\n The group of children will decide who\u00a0will start as being \u201cit.\u201d \u00a0That person chases the other people around, trying to tag one of them with their hand. The newly tagged person is now \u201cit.\u201d There is often the rule of \u201cno tag-backs\u201d where you can\u2019t tag the person who just tagged you. The game ends when everyone is tired of playing.<\/p>\n A variation of Tag where if the person who is \u201cit\u201d tags you, you have to freeze (stand still) where you are. \u00a0Another person can run up and tag you to unfreeze you and you can join back in the game.<\/p>\n Another way to play tag. The person who is \u201cit\u201d wears a blindfold and tries to tag the other players.<\/p>\n Note:\u00a0Ensure the area is safe to play, with any hazards removed. \u00a0Not to played near a road.<\/strong><\/p>\n You need 3 people to play this game. \u00a0One person stands in the middle (the monkey) and the other two throw a frisbee back and forth to each other, above the monkeys head. \u00a0Object of the game is for the monkey to jump and\u00a0\u00a0catch the frisbee. \u00a0When they do the person that threw the frisbee becomes the new \u2018monkey\u2019 in the middle.<\/p>\n As many people can play this using a ball. \u00a0Object of the game is to throw the ball to each other and every time a person drops the ball, they spell out the word donkey and first person to spell the word is out!<\/p>\n i.e. first drop is D, second drop is O, third drop is N and so on.<\/p>\n You can do this using any word \u2013 we used donkey growing up!<\/p>\n Make a balance beam by marking a straight line on the floor with masking tape.<\/p>\n Add in the basketball (see above).<\/p>\n Jump in and out of circles (mark these using masking tape).<\/p>\n Climb high, lie low, jog on the spot, star jumps and lots more!<\/p>\n One person is picked to be\u00a0\u2018Simon\u2019, you must then do everything that\u00a0\u2018Simon\u2019\u00a0says.<\/p>\n \u2018Simon\u2019\u00a0must always start<\/strong>\u00a0by saying\u00a0\u201cSimon says\u201d\u00a0example\u00a0\u201cSimon says touch your nose\u201d\u00a0everyone in must touch their nose.<\/p>\n \u201cSimon says scratch your head\u201d\u00a0everyone must scratch their head.<\/p>\n But if\u00a0\u2018Simon\u2019\u00a0just says \u201cscratch your head\u201d and you do the action you are out the game.\u00a0 Last person in the game takes the turn to be\u00a0\u2018Simon\u2019.<\/p>\n You can also play this outdoors!<\/p>\n ?\u00a0You could colour code each hole for colour learning fun.<\/p>\n Mark the start line with electrical or masking tape.\u00a0 Use a soft ball and have fun bowling.<\/p>\n ?\u00a0why not pop a\u00a0glow stick in for glow in the dark bowling.<\/p>\n Download this pdf for items to found in the house:<\/p>\n Indoor scavenger hunt<\/a><\/p>\n Mark the start line with electrical or masking tape.\u00a0 Use a soft ball and have fun bowling.<\/p>\n ?\u00a0why not pop a\u00a0glow stick in for glow in the dark bowling.<\/p>\n What you need: Cut a square for each number and paint number on 1 \u2013 10.<\/p>\n Place in hopscotch format. \u00a0Play! \u00a0When you hop on the square it will pop!<\/p>\n Find an item that matches every colour of the rainbow.\u00a0 This can be played anywhere.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Children are naturally drawn to playing outside and there are numerous benefits of outdoor play: it allows them to explore their environment, develop muscle strength and coordination, and gain self-confidence. Playing actively outdoors also increases flexibility, fine and gross motor skills, and is related to the development of a wide variety of physical skills, including … Continue reading Why Play Matters<\/span> Balance Beam<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Balloon Tennis<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Basketball<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n<\/strong>You will need: a bucket and rolled up socks (or a soft ball).\u00a0 Lots of fun trying to throw the ball into the \u2018basket\u2019. \u00a0\u00a0Great for hand to eye coordination.<\/p>\nBeans!!<\/h3>\n
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Blow bubbles and catch them<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Capture the flag \u2013 outdoors<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Dance Party<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Down, down, lie down<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Excavate<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Hide & Seek<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Jumping<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Tag\/Chasey<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Freeze Tag\/Chasey<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Blind Man\u2019s Bluff<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Monkey in the Middle<\/strong><\/h3>\n
D.O.N.K.E.Y.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Obstacle Course<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n<\/strong>Make an indoor obstacle course.\u00a0 You can use cushions, pillows, small tables, hula hoops etc.<\/p>\nSimon Says \u2026<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Lava Floor<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n<\/strong>Object of the game is to get from one side of the room to the other without standing on the floor!\u00a0 You can use cut up carpet tiles, pillows, cushion, cut out cardboard as stepping stones.<\/p>\nBalls in the Box<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n<\/strong>Ideal for younger children.\u00a0 Get a large box and cut holes in the top of the box the size of coloured balls, like the ones you use for a \u2018ball pit\u2019 and let them place the balls through the holes.<\/p>\nIndoor hopscotch<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n<\/strong>Using electrical or masking tape mark out the hopscotch on the floor and use rolled up socks for the \u2018peever\u2019.<\/p>\nIndoor Bowling<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n<\/strong>You will need 6-10 same size 1 litre plastic bottles.\u00a0 Fill up with water and ensure top is screwed on!<\/p>\nIndoor Scavenger Hunt<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Outdoor Bowling<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n<\/strong>You will need 6-10 same size 1 litre plastic bottles.\u00a0 Fill up with water and ensure top is screwed on!<\/p>\nPopping Hopscotch<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n<\/strong>Bubble wrap cut into squares
\nPaint<\/p>\nRainbow Hunting<\/strong><\/h3>\n