“A love of Nature, implanted so early that it will seem to them hereafter to have been born in them, will enrich their lives with pure interests, absorbing pursuits, health, and good humour.”- Charlotte Mason
Have you ever seen a child play outside with other kids, other animals, or even with a stick they found on the ground? It’s amazing how their imaginations can take them on marvelous adventures. It’s almost as if they don’t think of nature as something outside of themselves. Rather, nature is a part of them, and they are a part of nature.
A Forest of Opportunities
A natural environment, such as a forest, beach, or desert, can become the best classroom for anyone, especially a child. A child sees a forest as an opportunity to explore the unknown. The woods become an adventure for a knight to save the kingdom, or for an explorer to discover a new species of plant, fungi, or animal. A child plays with nature and learns from it. This wondrous classroom has so many opportunities to teach children a vast number of skills and subjects at any age.
We Like To Play The Forest Way
Living in the forest gives us many opportunities to go outside and learn all about the natural world around us. Incorporating the natural world into children’s play encourages resilience, happiness, and confidence. Moreover, nature benefits a child’s overall development, emotionally, physically, socially, and intellectually. Check out two of our favorite nature games that we love to play with friends and family. Let us know in the comments below which game your family or friends enjoyed. Check back next month for more nature-inspired crafts and games.
HOW TO PLAY WOODLAND GAMES
NATURE PLAY SCAVENGER HUNT
Age Group: 3 years +
Teaches: Utilizing Senses, Being Active, Focus, Recognizing Themes, Connecting with Nature, and Ecology
Best Location: Woodland or Natural Area (dessert, beach, etc.) make sure the area has a good representation of plants, animals, fungi, etc.
Supplies:
A scavenger card for each child/team (click image below to download pdf)
Pencils/Crayons
Clear plastic sleeves to protect cards (optional)
String to wear card around neck (optional)
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