5 fun outdoor activities to enjoy with your grandkids
There is no better way to feel young and energetic than to be around those who are young and energetic – children! Their boundless energy, curiosity and enthusiasm is infectious and will have you whooping in the air, laughing or dancing around the backyard in no time.
With more and more children spending time indoors on iPads, tablets and computers, getting them outdoors and playing in the sun will help keep them happy, healthy and active – something that’s just as important for you! The great thing about outdoor activities is most of them are free or cost very little, and it only takes a little ingenuity on your part to keep kids entertained and engaged.
On top of giving your grandchildren a fun and memorable time with their beloved grandparent, playing outdoors provides children with a number of learning and development benefits, including stimulating the imagination, promoting problem solving skills and building up their immune system.
For you, it’s getting fresh air, sunshine, mental and physical stimulation, and boosting your physical activity in a fun way that won’t feel like exercise – though you’ll surely be tired come the evening! Here’s five ideas for outdoor activities to try with your grandchildren the next time they come around:
Go for a nature walk
Whether it’s at a park near your home or a short drive to a national park, get outside and go for a nature walk with your grandchildren. Not only will this do wonders for your health and wellbeing, but you’ll be able to teach them about all the amazing plants and creatures that exist in the natural world. You could take this as a great photo opportunity too, either teaching them how to use a camera and take stunning photographs (if they’re an older child), or getting beautiful snaps of them to treasure forever.
Make flying objects
Kids love things that fly, just look at their mesmerised faces when they see an airplane go by overhead. Have some old-fashioned fun by creating a paper airplane or handmade kites to play with in the backyard or at the local park. Give them plenty of coloured pencils or paints to make their creation stand out, and then watch as their faces light up with seeing their work fly through the air.
Have fun with Statues
Wholesome family fun that’s entertaining, active and doesn’t require anything other than participants! In this game, which is best played outdoors, statues (your grandchildren) only move when the curator (you) isn’t looking. The first statue to sneak up and touch the curator wins. The great thing about this game is that it doesn’t require any props and you won’t need to do too much strenuous activity being the curator. However, if you feel like getting into the action, swap roles with one of the kids and be a statue!
Go fishing!
Beach or jetty fishing can be great fun for kids. It teaches them patience, they’re getting fresh air and sunshine, and they’re learning what could become a fun new hobby. If you’re already a recreational angler, it’s a great opportunity to teach your grandchild an activity you enjoy. Children love being around adults when they’re doing something they love, having fun and learning a new skill. Plus, the look on your grandchild’s face as they catch their first fish willbe priceless and a memory worth cherishing. This activity also gives you the opportunity to teach your grandchild a little more about where certain foods come from, which is important as these days processed food is the way most children are exposed to the food that they eat.
Plant some seeds
In the same approach as the idea above, why not garden with your grandkids? Children love to get their hands dirty in mud and anything else they can find, so why not teach them a little about how fruits and vegetables grow by getting them to plant seeds and tend the garden. You could reserve a little space for them in your own garden and whenever they visit, they can check how their seeds are developing. Gardening is a wonderful activity that’s relaxing, stress-reducing and fun! Plus, you’re helping to set good foundations for your grandchildren to learn about healthy eating and nutrition for when they are older. Early exposure to fruits and vegetables in a fun and interactive way can only be good for your grandchild’s long-term wellbeing.