There’s nothing quite like a day at the park—the sun is shining, little feet are ready to run, and the day is open! While the park might not need improving, with a little effort it can become an excellent setting for early childhood education, packed with opportunities for bonding as well as learning. Additionally, it keeps ‘a trip to the park’ new and fresh with the incorporation of new games or activities.
Outside time is essential for preschoolers and here at Crestwood Childcare and Leaning Center we not only have lovely outdoor play areas, but we also have outside time built into our daily schedule! Call today and let’s chat about how we can be a part of your schedule, too!
Check out some of our suggestions for making your preschool park adventures dynamic with these engaging ideas!
Scavenger Hunt
Turn your regular walk through the park into a captivating scavenger hunt—if you have the time to prep, print out a simple picture checklist challenging your preschooler to find things like a squirrel, a flower, a smooth rock, a footprint, etc…the sky is the limit! If you didn’t have the prep time to print out a scavenger hunt, you can absolutely make one up on the spot (or by looking up inspiration on Pinterest). This not only can be great fun, but Scholastic agrees that scavenger hunts and similar games encourage your child’s observational and early learning skills—all foundational in school (and life) success!
Hot tip: Keep print outs like these ready in the car for impromptu park trips! Looking for a pre-made scavenger hunt? Check this one out!
Hunting for a new childcare center? We would love to have you and your family out to visit and tour with us here at Crestwood Childcare and Learning Center. Call today and come check us out!
Sidewalk Chalk Art and Games
Grab a bucket of colorful sidewalk chalk and let your preschool
er draw, play hopscotch, or even create an obstacle course. This is also a great opportunity to work on letter, shape, and number recognition—draw it out on the sidewalk and have your little one practice finding and jumping on whatever shape/number/letter you call out! Research suggests integrating art and movement within learning significantly improves long‑term retention of academic content. Source #2
Art is crucial within early childhood education! Come for a tour here at CCLC and sneak a peak at our little artist’s creations—on the walls and bulletin boards proudly displayed for all to see!
Obstacle Courses and Playground Olympics
The CDC emphasizes that regular physical activity within early childhood strengthens muscles, bones, and coordination—also helping with emotional regulation! Simple structures like benches, the edging of the playground, slides, or even items from home like cones and pool noodles are tools of unending fun! Utilizing these items you can create a
n engaging and age-appropriate obstacle course. Jump over sticks, balance on a chalk line, and spin around three times on your little ones’ way to health and fun!
Our students are always playing and creating new games—Schedule a tour and ask our teachers here at CCLC what their classes have found to really enjoy while out on the playground!
Nature Journaling for Little Explorers
Nature is chock full of observation opportunities—if you are ready to slow down and pay attention. PBS Parents supports that encouraging preschoolers to spend time in nature can be a great instrument in promoting observational skills and connection with the world around them–all an excellent introduction to STEM principals, as well. Give children a clipboard and a few crayons and ask them to draw what they see, hear, or smell. If your child isn’t quite into drawing yet, this can also be a lovely conversation on a nature walk or as you sit to enjoy a drink or snack under a shady tree. The best part: new environments bring new opportunities for observation!
Looking for a new environment? We would love to have your family come for a tour to show you around here at Crestwood Childcare and Learning Center! Call today to get on the schedule!
Bug Safari
Grab your magnifying glasses (or simply get down on the ground!) and look for the insects living and hiding in nature—barks, grass, bushes, and under rocks are all excellent places to look! This is a perfect opportunity to explore life cycles, animal homes, symbiotic relationships, and so much more! All helping children better understand their world and excellent for STEM readiness.
Whether at daycare, childcare, or at home, early exposure to STEM concepts is foundational in early childhood education. Here at Crestwood Childcare and Learning Center we incorporate STEM into our weekly lesson plans from the earliest of ages! Schedule a tour and see how we teach and encourage the development of students at every age!
Picnic and Storytime Under a Tree
Snacks? Check. Picnic blanket? Check. Favorite book? …favorite book? Absolutely! Pick a tree and spread out your picnic and turn shady snack time into a cozy reading nook. Reading Rockets asserts that reading to children from an early age builds listening skills, imagination, and a lifelong love of learning—setting them off to a good start in their early childhood education.
Need some book inspiration? Our teachers here at CCLC would love to share their classes favorite stories. Come for a tour to see our classes, meet our early childhood educators and pick their brains for some great recommendations!
Group Games
Simple games such as Duck, Duck, Goose, Red Light Green Light, Freeze Dance, or Simon Says help children practice waiting their turn, listening, and even managing excitement. According to the Child Mind Institute, play supports children in the development of their emotional resilience and social learning.
We incorporate games into our learning all the time here at Crestwood Childcare and Learning Center! Call today to schedule a tour and join in on the play!
Turn an Event into a Moment
A park excursion isn’t just a time filler or a way to burn off energy in your preschooler—it’s a treasure of learning hiding in plain sight. Pack the sun hat, grab a snack and the picnic blanket and turn an everyday outing into a joyful , teachable, and memorable moment.
Every day provides a plethora of openings for learning, meaning, and growth. Here at Crestwood Childcare and Learning Center we love to make the moments mean something—always encouraging our students to learn, grow, and thrive. Come visit us today and see just how we work!