How to maximize the benefits of Outdoor Free Time

Learning happens in all sorts of ways and at all times of the day. Outdoor play time is one of the most kid friendly times to engage your students in whole body learning. If you poll your class as to what their favorite time of the school day is, chances are you’re going to hear these responses:

Let’s face it….recess ranks high on the list for most kids. That being said, what can you do to maximize the benefits of “Outdoor Free Time” and modify your role from referee to facilitator of fun and games?

Let’s consider a few options:

We know that children who are physically superior tend to dominate the playground. Either they run the fastest, so they get the best swing or ball or they’re stronger than their peers, so they grab and bully their way to getting what they want. Aim to create activities that are fun and engaging for children of all physical ability levels. Here are some suggestions:

Jump the Creek

Lay two jump ropes side by side and have the children jump over the “creek” one at a time. When everyone has jumped over, make the creek a little wider by spreading the ropes apart a little bit. Continue on with this process until the creek becomes so wide that none of the children can successfully make the jump.

For the children who get eliminated early on for not making the jump, have them sit in the creek and throw beanbags at the legs of the remaining jumpers as they jump over until everyone has been disqualified. All children remain engaged in the game and the children in the “creek” enjoy poking a little fun at the jumpers. Avoid games where children become disqualified and have no further role in the game.

Bug Buckets

Scatter a large selection of creepy crawly plastic bugs throughout your outdoor play area prior to the start of the day. Give each child a “bug bucket” to collect critters in. Set the children loose to find as many critters as they can. After you are sure that most of the critters have been collected, bring them inside and make a chart showing how many of each type was found. (Inexpensive bugs can be purchased at Dollar Stores and discount stores.

Bug Buckets can be made from repurposed single serve milk or juice containers.) The great thing about an activity like this is that it requires a keen eye and is not based on physical stamina or ability. (You could tweak this concept and turn it into an Observation Walk by spreading the critters along a walking path.)

Outdoor Painting

Give each child a plastic container filled with water and a large bristled paintbrush. Let them “paint” anything they want to outside. This is great fun on a hot sunny day for kids of all ability levels.

Turn your outdoor recess time into fun for everyone….you included! Trade in the black/ white referee shirt and role as arbitrator for some carefree time to giggle and carry on with your students. There will be far less problems and a whole lot more smiles.

Rebecca Eckenrode, Early Education Teacher
Classloom Blog Writer

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Originally published at blog.classloom.com on February 24, 2016.