Fourways Partnership
Extended Services for the New Forest
Outdoor Fun & Play
Outdoor play can really improve your child's wellbeing - it makes them happier, healthier and gives them the opportunity to meet others, make friends, and for you to have fun as a family.
Here are a few ideas you might like to try:
- Den building - also good if the weather is poor
- Family or neighbourhood team games - rounders, cricket, football, dodgeball ....
- An imaginary quest - can you find evidence of fairies or dragons? Or could you leave some for someone else to find?
- A night walk or adventure - take your torches and practice your owl impressions
- Explore your local area - a walk or a cycle ride - there are loads of free maps and ideas for all ages and abilities at local vistior information points http://www.thenewforest.co.uk/information/visitor-information-centres.aspx and council offices (Ringwood, New Milton, Lyndhurst and Lymington) and also online at http://www3.hants.gov.uk/cycling and http://www3.hants.gov.uk/walking.htm or http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/INFD-6A5KYW
- Take a ball, Frisbee, skipping rope, hoola hoops out to your nearest open space - better still, go with friends and set some individual and/or team challenges.
- Try a new play area or park in the area - there are some real gems to discover.
- Set some new challenges in your local park - measure distances in paces and make a map, play an outside version of hunt the thimble .....
- Beachcombing and natural art attack - take a bag to collect materials and make a work of art at the end. What can you make from sand, stones, seaweed, driftwood - a mermaid, pirate, lighthouse?
- A treasure or scavenger hunt - just make a list of things to find or spot while you're on a walk - or you could leave clues for a walk to share later on...
- Let's go fly a kite! Make your own kite from a plastic bag then find an open space to fly it http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Kite-Out-of-a-Plastic-Bag please note the tips and safety guide at the bottom of the page too.
More information and ideas:
http://www.netmums.com/things/Outdoor_Games_for_Older_Kids.645/
Why not let us know what your ideas are, and we can share them on the website for others to try! Contact us