Sometimes I get caught up in the planning of playdates. I want the kids to have a great time and I try to plan creative and fun activities. And they usually like what I plan. But often, all kids really need is a playmate and a big open space. I was reminded of this fact sometime last week, when R and his buddy played for three hours straight underneath a big shade tree. All they had was each other and their imaginations. They had a blast.
So I thought I'd share a few ideas for a no frills playdate. Chances are you won't even need my suggestions. I bet your kids will have their own ideas! But if they need a few ideas to get them started, you can share these kid-tested favorites.
2. Look at bugs.
3. Play Tag.
4. Pretend to be airplanes. Or wild animals. Or anything else you can dream up.
5. Have races. Don't just run. Who can crawl the fastest? Hop? Crab walk?
6. Compare boo boos.
7. Play "Simon Says".
8. Roll down hills.
9. Play "Follow the Leader."
10. Watch clouds. Find various shapes in the clouds. What can you see?
11. Do flips!
12. Play with rocks.
13. Play hide and seek. Just make sure there's an adult watching!
14. Climb trees.
15. Make land art. Make art out of found objects in nature- rocks, twigs, flowers, etc.
{If you liked this post, please consider subscribing or following me on Facebook. You could also subscribe to my brand new monthly newsletter to get my most popular posts of the month (and other fun) delivered straight to your inbox!}
Wonderful ideas! I love that you only need your imagination for them. The compare boo boos is so funny...but they do love to show them off! Even my little girl does.
ReplyDeleteI would love for you to share this and any other outdoor posts here: http://tutusandteaparties.blogspot.com/p/come-play-outside.html
This looks like so much fun! I love the comparing on boo- boos.
ReplyDeleteKids are so creative - all they usually need is their imagination and sometimes a suggestion or two. Love yours!
ReplyDeleteTell a story. We do that sometimes when there are a few kids around. Each one takes a turn to come up with a few sentences and the next kid continues on with the story.
ReplyDeleteGreat thing to do when you are traveling in a car together.
i have some really good memories from many of these games. sometimes, i think that it's the simple things that are important to focus on....especially in a world where video games and "bigger-is-better" is promoted so much!
ReplyDeleteI love the simplicity... here are a few more ideas, with a focus on nature play:
ReplyDeletehttp://youtu.be/YEtaG65B8J8
Playdates that just let kids play like this are so much fun for the kids! Thank you for inspiring parents to keep it simple!
ReplyDeleteThanks for another great post in the link up, and for showing people it doesn't have to cost money to have fun.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your ideas, my daughter is mentally handicapped and complicated activities can be overwhelming on a playdate for her or her friends... we love to just watch the clouds go by too! Thanks for sharing at tip toe thru tuesday
ReplyDelete