outdoor activities in physical education

• Grades 6-12
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46 Unique Phys Ed Games Your Students Will Love

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There’s nothing kids need more to break up a day spent sitting still and listening than a fun PE class to let off some steam. In the old days, going to gym class probably included playing kickball or dodgeball after running a few laps. Since then, there have been countless reinventions of and variations on old classics as well as completely new games. Although there is no shortage of options, we love that the supplies required remain relatively minimal. You can transport to another galaxy using just a pool noodle or two or create a life-size game of Connect 4 using just Hula-Hoops. You’ll want to make sure to have some staples on hand like balls, beanbags, and parachutes. There are even PE games for kindergartners based on beloved children’s TV shows and party games. Regardless of your students’ athletic abilities, there is something for everyone on our list of elementary PE games!

1. Tic-Tac-Toe Relay

Elementary PE games that not only get students moving but also get them thinking are our favorites. Grab some Hula-Hoops and a few scarves or beanbags and get ready to watch the fun!

Learn more: Tic-Tac-Toe Relay at S&S Blog

2. Blob Tag

Pick two students to start as the Blob, then as they tag other kids, they will become part of the Blob. Be sure to demonstrate safe tagging, stressing the importance of soft touches.

Learn more: Blob Tag at Playworks

3. Cross the River

This fun game has multiple levels that students have to work through, including “get to the island,” “cross the river,” and “you lost a rock.”

Learn more: Cross the River at The PE Specialist

4. Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Cones

Line up cones, then have students pair up and stand on either side of a cone. Finally, call out head, shoulders, knees, or cones. If cones is called, students have to race to be the first to pick up their cone before their opponent.

Learn more: Head, Shoulders, Knees & Cones at S&S Blog

5. Spider Ball

Elementary PE games are often variations of dodgeball like this one. One or two players start with the ball and attempt to hit all of the runners as they run across the gym or field. If a player is hit, they can then join in and become a spider themselves.

Learn more: Spider Ball Game at Kid Activities

6. Crab Soccer

We love elementary PE games that require students to act like animals (and we think they will too). Similar to regular soccer, but students will need to play on all fours while maintaining a crab-like position.

Learn more: Crab Soccer at Playworks

7. Halloween Tag

This is the perfect PE game to play in October. It’s similar to tag, but there are witches, wizards, and blobs with no bones!

Learn more: Halloween Tag at The Physical Educator

8. Crazy Caterpillars

We love that this game is not only fun but also works on students’ hand-eye coordination. Students will have fun pushing their balls around the gym with pool noodles while building their caterpillars.

9. Monster Ball

You’ll need a large exercise ball or something similar to act as the monster ball in the middle. Make a square around the monster ball, divide the class into teams on either side of the square, then task the teams with throwing small balls at the monster ball to move it into the other team’s area.

Learn more: Monster Ball at The PE Specialist

10. Striker Ball

Striker ball is an enjoyable game that will keep your students entertained while working on reaction time and strategic planning. We love that there is limited setup required before playing.

Learn more: Striker Ball at S&S Blog

11. Parachute Tug-of-War

What list of elementary PE games would be complete without some parachute fun? So simple yet so fun, all you will need is a large parachute and enough students to create two teams. Have students stand on opposite sides of the parachute, then let them compete to see which side comes out on top.

Learn more: Parachute Tug-of-War at Mom Junction

12. Fleas Off the Parachute

Another fun parachute game where one team needs to try to keep the balls (fleas) on the parachute and the other tries to get them off.

Learn more: Fleas Off the Parachute at Mom Junction

13. Crazy Ball

The setup for this fun game is similar to kickball, with three bases and a home base. Crazy ball really is so crazy as it combines elements of football, Frisbee, and kickball!

Learn more: Crazy Ball at Health Beet

14. Bridge Tag

This game starts as simple tag but evolves into something more fun once the tagging begins. Once tagged, kids must form a bridge with their body and they can’t be freed until someone crawls through.

Learn more: Bridge Tag at Great Camp Games

15. Star Wars Tag

Elementary PE games that allow you to be your favorite movie character are just way too much fun! You will need two different-colored pool noodles to stand in for lightsabers. The tagger will have one color pool noodle that they use to tag students while the healer will have the other color that they will use to free their friends.

Learn more: Star Wars Tag at Great Camp Games

16. Rob the Nest

Create an obstacle course that leads to a nest of eggs (balls) and then divide the students into teams. They will have to race relay-style through the obstacles to retrieve eggs and bring them back to their team.

17. Four Corners

We love this classic game since it engages students physically while also working on color recognition for younger students. Have your students stand on a corner, then close their eyes and call out a color. Students standing on that color earn a point.

Learn more: Four Corners at The Many Little Joys

18. Movement Dice

This is a perfect warm-up that requires only a die and a sheet with corresponding exercises.

Learn more: Roll the Dice Movement Break at Teaching Littles

19. Rock, Paper, Scissors Tag

A fun spin on tag, children will tag one another and then play a quick game of Rock, Paper, Scissors to determine who has to sit and who gets to continue playing.

Learn more: Rock, Paper, Scissors Tag at Grade Onederful

20. Cornhole Cardio

This one is so fun but can be a little bit confusing, so be sure to leave plenty of time for instruction. Kids will be divided into teams before proceeding through a fun house that includes cornhole, running laps, and stacking cups.

Learn more: Cardio Cornhole at S&S Blog

21. Connect 4 Relay

This relay takes the game Connect 4 to a whole new level. Players must connect four dots either horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.

22. Zookeepers

Students will love imitating their favorite animals while playing this fun variation of Four Corners where the taggers are the zookeepers.

23. Racket Whack-It

Students stand with rackets in hand while balls are thrown at them—they must either dodge the balls or swat them away.

Learn more: Racket Whack-It via PEgames.org

24. Crazy Moves

Set mats out around the gym, then yell out a number. Students must race to the mat before it is already filled with the correct number of bodies.

Learn more: Crazy Moves at PEgames.org

25. Wheelbarrow Race

Sometimes the best elementary PE games are the simplest. An oldie but a goodie, wheelbarrow races require no equipment and are guaranteed to be a hit with your students.

Learn more: Wheelbarrow Race at wikiHow

26. Live-Action Pac-Man

Fans of retro video games like Pac-Man will get a kick out of this live-action version where students get to act out the characters.

27. Spaceship Tag

Give each of your students a Hula-Hoop (spaceship), then have them run around trying not to bump into anyone else’s spaceship or get tagged by the teacher (alien). Once your students get really good at it, you can add different levels of complexity.

28. Rock, Paper, Scissors Beanbag Balance

We love this spin on Rock, Paper, Scissors because it works on balance and coordination. Students walk around the gym until they find an opponent, then the winner collects a beanbag, which they must balance on their head!

Learn more: Rock, Paper, Scissors Beanbag Balance at PE Universe

29. Throwing, Catching, and Rolling

This is a fun activity but it will require a lot of preparation, including asking the school maintenance staff to collect industrial-sized paper towel rolls. We love this activity because it reminds us of the old-school arcade game Skee-Ball!

Learn more: Winter Activity at S&S Blog

30. Jenga Fitness

Although Jenga is fun enough on its own, combining it with fun physical challenges is sure to be a winner with young students.

Learn more: Jenga Fitness at S&S Blog

31. Volcanoes and Ice Cream Cones

Divide the class into two teams, then assign one team as volcanoes and the other as ice cream cones. Next, spread cones around the gym, half upside down and half right side up. Finally, have the teams race to flip as many cones as possible to either volcanoes or ice cream cones.

Learn more: Warm-Up Games at Prime Coaching Sport

This fun variation on dodgeball will have your students getting exercise while having a ton of fun! Begin with three balls on a basketball court. If you are hit by a ball, you are out. If you take a step while holding a ball, you are out. There are other rules surrounding getting out and also how to get back in, which can be found in this video.

33. Musical Hula-Hoops

PE games for kindergartners that are similar to party games are some of our favorites! Think musical chairs but with Hula-Hoops! Lay enough Hula-Hoops around the edge of the gym minus five students since they will be in the muscle pot. Once the music starts, students walk around the gym. When the music stops, whoever doesn’t find a Hula-Hoop becomes the new muscle pot!

34. 10-Second Tag

This game is perfect to play at the beginning of the year since it helps with learning names and allows the teacher to get to know the first student in line.

35. The Border

This game is so fun and requires no equipment whatsoever. Divide the gym into two sides. One side can move freely while the other side must avoid letting their feet touch the floor by rolling around, crawling, etc.

36. Freedom Catch

This is a simple throwing, catching, and tag game that will certainly be a hit with your PE class. Captors attempt to tag players so they can send them to jail. You can be freed if someone on your team runs to a freedom cone while throwing a ball to the jailed person. If the ball is caught by the jailed person, they can rejoin the game.

37. Oscar’s Trashcan

As far as PE games for kindergartners goes, this one is a guaranteed winner since it is based on the show Sesame Street . You’ll need two large areas that can be sectioned off to use as trash cans and also a lot of medium-size balls. There are two teams who must compete to fill their opponent’s trash can while emptying their own. Once over, the trash will be counted and the team with the least amount of trash in their trash can wins!

38. 4-Way Frisbee

Divide your class into four separate teams, who will compete for points by catching a Frisbee inside one of the designated goal areas. Defenders are also able to go into the goal areas. There are a number of other rules that can be applied so you can modify the game in a way that’s best for your class.

39. Badminton King’s/Queen’s Court

This one is simple but fun since it is played rapid-fire with kids waiting their turn to take on the King or Queen of the court. Two players start and as soon as a point is earned, the loser swaps places with another player. The goal is to be the player that stays on the court the longest, consistently knocking out new opponents.

40. Jumping and Landing Stations

Kids love stations and they definitely love jumping, so why not combine those things into one super-fun gym class? They’ll have a blast challenging themselves with all the different obstacles presented in this video.

41. Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course

Regardless of whether you’ve ever seen an episode of American Ninja Warrior , you are probably familiar with the concept and so are your students. Plus, you’ll probably have just as much fun as your students setting up the obstacles and testing them out!

42. Balloon Tennis

Since kids love playing keepy-uppy with a balloon, they will love taking it a step further with balloon tag!

43. Indoor Putting Green

If your school can afford to invest in these unique putting green sets, you can introduce the game of golf to kids as young as kindergarten. Who knows, you might just have a future Masters winner in your class!

44. Scooter Activities

Let’s be honest, we all have fond memories of using scooters in gym class. Regardless of whether you do a scooter sleigh or scooter hockey, we think there is something for everyone in this fun video.

45. Pick It Up

This is the perfect PE game to play if you are stuck in a small space with a good-size group. Teams win by making all of their beanbag shots and then collecting all of their dots and stacking them into a nice neat pile.

46. Dodgeball Variations

Since not all kids love having balls thrown at them, why not try a dodgeball alternative that uses gym equipment as targets rather than fellow students? For example, have each student stand in front of a Hula-Hoop with a bowling ball inside of it. Students need to protect their hoop while attempting to knock over their opponents’ pins.

What are your favorite elementary PE games to play with your class? Come and share in our We Are Teachers HELPLINE group  on Facebook.

Plus, check out  our favorite recess games for the classroom ..

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8 Great Outdoor PE Games for Kids

By MK Editor, May 23, 2021

This post is brought to you by CROSSNET, a four-way volleyball net that was designed with the physical education teacher in mind. With just a click of a button and detachment of poles you can easily set up your net to be a variety of heights. This provides gym teachers and volleyball coaches with easy flexibility allowing them to use CROSSNET with both their younger and older students.

There are so many classic outdoor Physical Education games (soccer, kickball, flag football…) that are great for getting kids moving while encouraging teamwork and strategy along with strength and endurance. But that doesn’t mean you have to keep it classic every time the bell rings. Here are eight of the best outdoor PE games, using balls, beanbags, flags, hula hoops or no equipment at all, for keeping things fresh and fun on days when it’s time to head outside and team sports just won’t cut it.

1. Freeze Tag

Great for any age group, freeze tag is just like regular tag, except when a student is tagged, they must freeze with their feet planted widely apart; then they can be unfrozen only when another student crawls through their legs. Teachers can support group cooperation by encouraging students to unfreeze as many of their classmates as possible, and even award points to students who do the unfreezing.

2. Crazy Hoops

While this game works great as an indoor gym activity, it can be even more fun outdoors, where there is plenty of room plus more potential for obstacles and twists. In Crazy Hoops, students build teamwork and strategy skills along with math skills as they work together to grab colored beanbags from a central location and bring them back to drop into their team’s hula hoop. The teacher assigns point values to each color of bean bag: five points for beanbags that match the team’s hula hoop color, ten points for other colors, and one point for white, for example.

If your students are working on fractions or negative numbers, you can incorporate those skills as well (purple beanbags are worth -10 points, for example, or each purple beanbag divides the team’s total points by two).

There are also numerous ways to add twists to this game: You can allow students to use a turn to grab a beanbag from an opponent’s hula hoop and drop it back into the main pile, or instead of locating the main pile in a central spot, divide the beanbags by color and locate the piles in several different areas that students will have to run, climb or crawl to reach.

3. Capture the Flag

This game is great fun when played the traditional way, with two teams, each with its own territory, and one flag per team to guard or steal. Capture the Flag gets even more fun, however, when you switch things up.

Try selecting one spy per team, secretly and at random, who gets one chance to steal the flag belonging to their supposed team and bring it back to their actual team.

Or, for a fast-paced twist, use balls instead of flags and incorporate rules about throwing the “flag” to teammates in order get it back to the home base as quickly as possible. If you have a large PE class, try playing a chaos version of the game by dividing the field or court into multiple sections and having the same number of teams and flags compete for the win.

4. Frisbee Golf

Have students throw soft foam flying discs into buckets, baskets, cardboard boxes and other goals positioned all around your outdoor playing space. This game can be played by taking turns in a big group or in teams, and you can incorporate extra rules, such as having students dance in place for five seconds if they don’t land the frisbee in the goal in three or fewer tries.

5. CROSSNET

This four-square version of volleyball is a super-fun take on the traditional game. Incredibly easy to set up, with adjustable height levels for any age group, it’s a blast for kids from elementary up through high school. CROSSNET targets throwing and catching skills and helps kids develop their hand-eye coordination, while tapping into their competitive natures. It doesn’t take up a lot of room, making it perfect for days when you’re setting up stations outdoors for students to cycle through.

You may also interested in the Best Indoor PE Games for Kids .

6. Hopscotch

This classic game offers great plyometric exercise and balance training along with silly fun. Multiple teams of three or four students each can play at once on multiple hopscotch grids, racking up cumulative team points and competing to win.

It’s easy to switch things up in hopscotch to keep everyone engaged. For example, instead of writing numbers in the squares, have students draw animals, like cats, dogs and frogs, or write down the names of exercises, like jumping-jacks, squats and high-knees, in the squares. When students toss a marker onto a square, they have to make the corresponding animal sound or perform repetitions of the specified exercise before they can begin hopping.

Another twist is partner hopscotch, in which two students hopping along two grids drawn close together must hold hands as they strive to hop with balance and accuracy.

7. Topple Ball

Divide students into teams of four, and set up one cone per team with a tennis or Wiffle ball balanced on top. Have students take turns rolling other balls toward the cones, trying to topple them over. When the ball on top falls, the student who toppled it must try to chase it down and grab it within five seconds to win a point for their team. They also must set up the cone and ball on top for the next teammate to take their turn.

8. Beanbag Relay

Students develop teamwork along with speed and agility in a beanbag relay, which can be held on an outdoor track or blacktop, in an open field, or in nearly any other outdoor space. Set out cones or other markers, divide students into teams, and give each team three beanbags. Teams line up at the starting point with their beanbags, and the first runner from each team runs with one beanbag to drop it at the first marker. Then they race back to grab a second beanbag and run it to the second marker, and finish up by repeating with the third beanbag and marker. When they return to the starting point, they tag the second runner’s hand so the second runner can retrieve all the beanbags in reverse — racing to the first marker, grabbing the beanbag and running it back to the starting line, racing back to the second marker for the second beanbag, and so on.

Bonus: Fartlek Runs

Marathon Kids is all about running, but not necessarily about speed. We believe in getting kids moving by motivating them to cover cumulative distances over time, but we don’t really care about how fast they go — unless they or their coaches want to work on developing their speed. If you have students in track or who are simply interested in improving their running speed and endurance, Fartlek runs are a great way to kick things up a notch.

No, Fartlek training isn’t a PE game, per se — and yes, you’ll have to allow your students extra giggle time to adjust to the silly-sounding name (“fartlek” is a Swedish word that means “speed play”). But soon they’ll recognize the serious fun that Fartlek runs can be. Whereas regular interval training has runners recover between higher-intensity intervals by walking or even stopping altogether, Fartlek training has athletes continue running at a steady pace between bursts of speed, which helps condition both the body and the mind to build speed and endurance. Best of all, the natural challenge and variations inherent in Fartlek training can keep students motivated and engaged.

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Marathon Kids is on a mission to get kids moving. The nonprofit organization offers physical education programming and tools through Marathon Kids Connect, a FREE, cloud-based platform that makes tracking and reporting on kids’ physical activity simple.

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20 Educational Outdoor Activities for Preschoolers [Updated for 2024]

Outdoor activities for preschoolers have numerous physical, social-emotional, and cognitive benefits and promote an appreciation for nature. When it’s time to play outside, these preschool outdoor activities will keep children engaged in inspiring new ways.

• brightwheel
• 20 Educational Outdoor Activities for Preschoolers

Children need time outdoors to run, jump, and play to release some of their energy, but outdoor activities can also be meaningful educational opportunities. When educators can tie outdoor play to preschool learning objectives, children can learn in an engaging way while spending time connecting with nature.

According to a survey by Outdoor Classroom Day, 88% of teachers reported that children were more engaged in learning when taking lessons outdoors. There are also numerous physical, social-emotional, intellectual, and mental health benefits for children that are linked to outdoor activities. 

The health and educational rewards that come with outdoor learning are compelling reasons to prioritize outdoor activities for preschoolers. In this article, we will share creative ideas for preschool outdoor activities to try with your children and corresponding learning objectives for each. 

The importance of outdoor learning activities

Learning outdoors has physical, social-emotional, and cognitive benefits for preschoolers.

Physical benefits

• Children who spend time learning outdoors spend less time interacting with screens, which can lower their risk of nearsightedness and obesity .
• Being outside encourages more physical play such as climbing, running, and jumping which strengthens children’s hearts, lungs, and muscles .
• Safe exposure to sunlight helps children produce vitamin D , which helps them absorb calcium to promote healthy bone growth.

Social-emotional benefits

• Playing outside helps children learn to interact with one another through things like sharing play equipment and taking turns, and helps them form healthy relationships.
• Exploring outdoors can improve children’s sleep and moods .
• Learning to care for plants, animals, and insects in nature fosters a sense of responsibility and independence.

Cognitive benefits

• Spending time outdoors gives children opportunities to apply what they’ve learned in the classroom. Children are able to connect concepts to practical, hands-on experiences and understand their place in the world. 
• Outdoor play encourages children to use their imaginations and develop problem-solving skills as they discover properties of natural materials.

How to incorporate outdoor learning activities for preschoolers

With a tool like brightwheel , you can create custom lessons and lesson plans in minutes. Easily add specific milestones to lessons, track progress, and share with families. As you prepare your curriculum, follow these tips below when incorporating outdoor activities.

Get out in nature regularly

You don’t have to take your children to a special location to experience nature. Children can experience the benefits of the great outdoors by playing in a school playground, taking a walk around the neighborhood, or visiting a local park. Even something as simple as bringing storytime outside can be an opportunity to expose your children to the natural environment around them. 

Use your children’s interests as a guide

Incorporating outdoor activities that reflect your children’s interest will get them excited about outdoor play. Most classroom activities can be adapted to an outdoor setting . For example, if your children love arts and crafts, there are plenty of ways to use natural materials like twigs and leaves in art projects.

Encourage safe exploration

It’s important for children to have access to safe and age appropriate outdoor playground equipment. Remind your children of ways to play safely, like using play equipment in the intended way (e.g. going feet first down a slide) and how to be respectful towards nature. Have children wash their hands before and after outdoor activities. Check your local forecast before going outside, so children can dress appropriately.

Engaging ideas for preschool outdoor activities  

Engaging and interactive outdoor activities are crucial for children's development, as they encourage exploration, creativity, and physical exercise. Whether it's a nature scavenger hunt, sensory play, art projects, or water fun, this next section offers a variety of exciting outdoor activities that will captivate the imagination and keep preschoolers entertained.

1. Nature color hunt

This activity provides a great nature-filled sensory experience as the children learn to identify colors in nature.

Instructions:   Give the children a list of colors to find as they walk in nature. They can identify the color of the nature item and draw a picture under the corresponding color.

For an added sensory lesson activity, have the children collect a few items and have a discussion during circle time about the color, texture, smell, and sound of the nature item.  

Learning objective: Children will learn to match and identify colors in nature as well as use sensory-related vocabulary. 

2. Nature memory game 

This next activity, a large-scale memory game, is inspired by Growing Book by Book . The children will have fun playing a familiar memory game with a physical and outdoor twist. 

Instructions: Print large matching nature images (with the corresponding name of the nature item) and glue them to paper plates. Place the plates on the ground outdoors face down and have children take turns turning over two plates to see if they match. As they are turning over the plates, the children can say the names of the items. If the child does not select two matching items, the plates are placed face down and the next child takes a turn. If the child turns over two plates that match, they earn a point.  

Learning objective:  Children will practice memory and concentration skills while learning nature-related vocabulary. 

3. Birdwatching and other nature observations 

The best part of outdoor activities is the spontaneous learning that can happen. With a pair of binoculars and a sunny day, your children can spend their day outside letting their observations and curiosity guide their questions about nature and their learning. 

Instructions:   Take children on a nature walk with a few observational tools: binoculars, magnifying glasses, sketch pads, and pencils. Allow the children time to find birds by listening to birdcalls or using their binoculars. Children may also look for other living creatures such as insects and squirrels. Encourage the children to sketch their findings.  

Learning objective: To develop children's observation skills and understanding of animals and their habitats. 

4. The letter and number race 

This letter and number recognition game was inspired by Inspirational Laboratories . Children will have fun sorting numbers from letters while staying physically active and enjoying the sensory experience of dipping their hands in a bucket of water, sand, or water beads. 

Instructions:   C hildren race between water-filled buckets to sort letters from numbers (or try using sand or water beads in cooler weather). Add plastic or foam letters and numbers,  or print letters and numbers on card stock, cut to size, and laminate. 

Learning objective: Children will practice letter and number recognition while practicing sorting, an early math concept. 

5. Sight word soccer

Sight word soccer combines literacy and physical skills. This outdoor learning activity allows older children to practice their sight words while running and kicking. For younger children, turn it into a fun letter recognition game. 

Instructions:   Write sight words on an index card and tape them to small cones. Call out a word and have the children take turns kicking the ball to the corresponding cone. 

Learning objective:  Children will learn their sight words while practicing their eye-foot coordination. 

6. Nature patterns

The variety found in nature offers great opportunities for sorting, making patterns, and creating designs, supporting early math concepts and artistic expression. 

Instructions:   During a nature walk, have the children look for leaves, rocks, and twigs on the ground. Collect them, sort them by color or size, and create a pattern design on the side of the walking path. Leave the design on the ground for folks passing by to enjoy.  

Learning objective: Children will learn how to create and recognize various patterns while practicing their fine motor skills. 

7. Spray the flower letters

This fun activity was inspired by Happy Toddler Playtime . Children can practice letter recognition while "watering" the flowers with their spray bottles. 

Instructions:   Draw flowers on pavement with sidewalk chalk and write a letter in each. Older children can support with this first task. Once the flowers are completed, give each child a spray bottle filled with water and call out a letter or sound of the letter (for a challenging variation). Have the children find the letter and "water" the flower by spraying it. 

Learning objective: Children will learn to identify letters (or sounds) while also practicing their fine motor skills using the spray bottles.

8. Journey stick

This nature activity was inspired by Growing Family . A journey stick is an educational craft that can be done while exploring nature.

Instructions:   While on a nature walk, have children collect items such as varying leaves, flowers, and sticks. Then, attach the items to a stick (such as a branch, paper, or a piece of cardboard) to create a keepsake of their walk. As an added bonus, children can share what they choose to add to their journey stick and why. 

Learning objective: Children will exercise their curiosity by discovering and learning about various elements of nature and also identifying shapes found in nature. 

9. Outdoor dramatic play

Dramatic play is often an indoor activity, but taking it outdoors can put a fun spin on it and allow children to role-play outdoor scenes.

Instructions:   Provide dramatic play materials and furniture for children to  dress up, and act out familiar roles (i.e., teachers, doctors, parents) and activities (i.e., restaurant, store, house, picnics).

Learning objective: Children will practice creative storytelling, problem-solving skills, and expressive and receptive language skills as they develop and negotiate the storyline and assign roles.  

10. Leaf printing 

With this activity, children can appreciate and learn about the diversity of leaves: color, shape, size, parts, and structure. 

Instructions:  Children can collect a variety of leaves from the ground and select leaves with the most intricate shape and vein structure in the back. Take a sponge and blot some paint on the side with the vein projecting out and place that side down on a piece of paper to discover the leaf print. 

Learning objective: Children will learn about the parts of a leaf and practice fine motor skills as they blot paint and print the leaf. 

11. Nature letters 

This outdoor activity, inspired by Sprouting Wild Ones , uses items in nature to teach children to identify letters.

Instructions: Have children create the letters of the alphabet using leaves, rocks, sticks, and other items they find outdoors. Children can find items that resemble letters, such as a round rock that resembles the letter “O,” or create letters using items they find, such as using two sticks to create the letters “T,” “V,” or “X.”

Learning objective: Children will learn to identify and create letter shapes.

12. Tree bark imprints

This creative project by I Can Teach My Child uses crayons and a tree trunk to create art prints.

Instructions: Wrap a sheet of large easel paper around a tree trunk. Secure the paper to the tree trunk with packing tape. Remove the labels from various crayons. Have your children color the paper with different colors. The tree bark will leave impressions on the paper, creating unique patterns. After your children have completed their drawings, ask them to explain what they have drawn and identify the colors they used. 

Learning objective: Children will strengthen their fine motor skills and identify colors.

13. Color hop

This activity by ABCDee Learning helps children learn to identify colors and encourages them to get moving.

Instructions: Use different colors of sidewalk chalk to draw large circles on the ground in a circular formation. Say a color and have the children hop onto the circle of that color, then have them say the name of the color.

Learning objective: Children will strengthen their listening, color recognition, and gross motor skills.

14. Alphabet obstacle course

This activity by The Educators' Spin On It helps children recognize letters and learn alphabetical order.

Instructions: Cut a pool noodle into 26 pieces. Use a permanent marker to write a letter of the alphabet on each piece. Stick a craft stick into the foam of each pool noodle. Stake the pieces in the ground in alphabetical order, three to five feet apart from each other, to create an obstacle course. Have the children run through the obstacle course and identify the letters as they pass them.

Learning objective: Children will learn to identify letters and strengthen their motor skills.

15. Chalk counting garden

This activity by Fantastic Fun and Learning helps children learn to recognize numbers.

Instructions: Draw circles on the ground with sidewalk chalk. Write a number in the center of each circle. Have your children identify the number in each circle and draw the corresponding number of petals around the circle to create flowers.

Learning objective: Children will learn number recognition and counting skills.

16. Hopscotch

This classic playground game is a great way to teach children to recognize numbers. 

Instructions: Draw a hopscotch grid on the ground with sidewalk chalk and teach your children to play hopscotch , throwing a small rock into one of the grid squares and hopping from one square to another, in order, until they reach the rock. Have your children name the number in each square they hop into.

Learning objective: Children will strengthen their balance, gross motor skills, and number recognition skills.

17. Chalk painting

This activity inspired by Days with Grey is a great way to teach children to identify colors.

Instructions: Make chalk paint using cornstarch, baking soda, red, yellow, and blue food coloring, and vinegar. Pour the chalk paint into squirt bottles. Have the children squirt the paint onto the ground and identify the colors. Encourage them to mix multiple colors to create secondary colors. 

Learning objective: Children will learn about color mixing, strengthen their gross motor skills, and identify colors.

18. Maple seed dragonflies

This nature-inspired craft uses sticks and leaves to create adorable dragonflies.

Instructions: Help your children find twigs, large maple seeds, and small maple seeds on the ground. If you don’t have maple seeds in your area, you can substitute with large and small leaves. Have children paint the maple seeds using craft paint. Once the maple seeds have dried, they can glue a small maple seed or leaf to a large maple seed or leaf to create their dragonfly’s wings. Next, glue a twig onto the wings to create the dragonfly’s body.

Learning objective: Children will learn about insects and practice their fine and gross motor skills.

19. Acorn shapes

This activity teaches children to identify and draw shapes.

Instructions: Use a stick to draw simple shapes in the dirt or use sidewalk chalk to draw simple shapes on the sidewalk. Have your children identify the shapes and place acorns or small rocks along the outline to recreate the shapes. 

Learning objective: Children will practice their fine motor skills and learn to identify and create simple shapes.

20. Nature faces

This activity by Make and Takes helps children learn to identify parts of their body as they explore their creativity.

Instructions: Help your children gather natural materials outside, such as pine cones, acorns, rocks, grass, sticks, and leaves. Draw circles on the pavement with chalk to create heads. Have your child create a self-portrait in their circle using natural materials to make eyes, a nose, a mouth, ears, and other facial features.

Learning objective: Children will practice their fine motor skills and learn to identify their facial features.

Get outside

When great weather days abound, preschoolers have the chance to fill their days with outdoor play. Being outside helps children with their emotional development while also encouraging their curiosity.

Outdoor activities are a pivotal part of a child’s early education, helping them develop cognitive skills, gross and fine motor skills, language skills, and a special appreciation for nature.

Brightwheel is the complete solution for early education providers, enabling you to streamline your center’s operations and build a stand-out reputation. Brightwheel connects the most critical aspects of running your center—including sign in and out, parent communications, tuition billing, and licensing and compliance—in one easy-to-use tool, along with providing best-in-class customer support and coaching. Brightwheel is trusted by thousands of early education centers and millions of parents. Learn more at mybrightwheel.com.

A Guide to Studying the Natural World - Fall Edition

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