Wonder-full Back Yard Play for Connected Families
Ok, so here we are, we are stuck at home again. What shall we do with our time? for the most, cuddles and free play sound like a beautiful way to spend our days! Although, we will be taking full advantage of this, sticking to our daily rhythm by honouring the daily rituals we do day in and day out, is going to be the way to survive lockdown. We will be honouring the flow, the breathing in and breathing out feeling of the day, by sticking to a loose rhythm we will be giving our children the predictability that they need in order to settle into playing, connecting, and resting. A small tweak to our rhythm is needed, for us, there is not a great deal of change except we are not allowed to run errands, visit friends and spend a lot of time outside in the greater world like we would normally. So, for two very active and lively young boys, not being able to get out and explore is going to involve some adjustments.
I am choosing to honour regular meal, morning and bedtime routines, time for creative independent play, rest time, outdoor play and arts and crafts. We will pepper a little learning in here and there, but for me, at this point in time making sure the children feel relaxed, seen and supported is the most important thing. I believe learning comes naturally and trying to push it in a situation my kids are already confused about is just not very productive in my opinion.
I started to write a little list of WONDER-FULL backyard play and connection ideas as a go to for afternoon play. My hope is that, they may just turn a ordinary week at home into an extraordinary one. I thought to share it to spark some joy, awe and wonder into your day. I hope you enjoy them as much as I know we will!
Sock puppet show. If you are like me there is a big, big chance you may just have a huge stash of lonely socks. I have a bag I keep them in, named… ‘the lonely sock disco’. I have high hopes their partner may in fact one day resurface, for the most, they remain unlucky. But the good news is for us we have good pickings for socks! so, off you go and choose a sock any sock and decorate him as you please. Go hunting around your home for wool buttons and fabric, even do a quick google search for inspiration, and get creative. After you have created your puppets, give them a name. Our dear sock puppet pictured above is called, Frankie. Next, set up an our door theatre using sticks and old fabric and suspend by a tree or even chairs! Spend time writing a play or story with your kids or just go for it and dive into the wonderful world of imagination.
Magic Sticks. Go hunting for sticks, if there are not many in your yard even use wooden spoons. Sit outside on a blanket, take with you… wool for wrapping the sticks, beads for decorating them or you may even want to take some paint outside and paint them. Once your sticks are decorated tell your children they are magic, a little like wands. They can use them as far as their imagination may carry them. Maybe you can make one too! and together each of your sticks have magic powers. Maybe they turn things invisible, maybe they make things really heavy, or maybe they take away your ability to talk! what ever they do I am sure you will be able to make a fun game out of it that will provide the platform for many full belly laughs.
Jingle Jangle. Jingle Jangle is a fun game I played as a kid and I just loved it. You will need blindfolds ( we use play silks), a set of keys or a bell – any thing that makes a jingle sound. Blind fold your children and get them to be really still, one person is the Jangler and will jangle the keys or bell. The idea is for the blindfolded players to catch the jangler. The first blind folded player to catch the jangler becomes the jangler!
Hide ‘n’ Go Teddy. This is a game we like to play inside or out. we grab a basket of teddies and hide them around the place, just like hide and seek. I like to ask my children to sit cross legged on the ground with their backs touching each other with their eyes closed or blind folded. I quickly hide the teddies while they count to twenty. Once done I remove their blind fold and let them loose. Once the basket is full again we swap roles.
Clothes Line Cubby. Build a cubby with old sheets or blankets and hang them over and around your clothes line. Take out some toys to play or have your lunch out there like a picnic!
Magic Carpet Rides. I remember playing this game with my sisters after we watched Aladdin as kids! so much fun. Take a blanket or rug outside as your magic carpet and use your imagination! where are you going? what can you see?
Musical Hats. Just like musical chairs but with hats. Play some fun music, when the music stops put on a funny hat! for some reason this is so much more fun outside in the sun.
Bug Sanctuary. Find a special spot in your garden and create a bug sanctuary. Use stones and sticks and make a little garden or play ground for the bugs. You could make a bee bath, a bug hotel or even a mini bug hotel! use your imagination and team work and see what you come up with.
Stick Maze. Gather as many sticks as you can and make a maze using sticks.
Obstacle Course. Set up an outdoor obstacle course. Find as many things as you can around the garden or home and set them up as a obstacle course. Get the kids to help set it up and then race them to the finish line!
Your kids and your inner child are going to love these! Do you have any more ideas to share?
