Genius of Play Encourages Outdoor Play, Suggests Activities

Although the summer is over, the weather outside will still be ideal for outdoor activities for the foreseeable future. The Genius of Play has compiled a short list of activities that adults can recommend to children to encourage them to put down their smart phones and other screens for a while.

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Spending time outside provides children with important opportunities for growth and learning, the Genius of Play wrote in its recent newsletter. 

Four activities that the organization included in its newsletter that can be used to encourage outdoor play are:

• Shadow Art - In this activity, children use varied positions and angles to help them learn that differences can alter the shape of the shadow they create; drawing and creative skills are utilized.

• Act It Out - This activity involves reading a book aloud and acting it out by assigning a child a role. 

• Obstacle Course - Adults should design a path for children to follow by creating an imaginary balance beam with tape; make stepping stones with other objects and have children follow the path by crawling over them.

• Basket Toss - Place objects within easy reach of a child and have them throw them into a basket; the idea is to present a challenge, but not a frustration.

Each of the activities can also be played indoors, if the weather isn’t cooperative.

For more play activities, visit the Genius of Play website.