Nowadays, ‘On the paths, into the avenues’ doesn’t get the children outside. And most children are not happy with the proposal to go for a walk in the woods. Because what’s more fun than TV or computer games? Well, these 25 tips for example! Because what child doesn’t enjoy making mud pies, camping in their own backyard or learning to whistle on a blade of grass? And do you really want to make it cool? Teach the children to use a pocket knife or build a campfire together. With these 25 tips, success is guaranteed!
1. Make a mud pie
Messing around with mud, what child doesn’t think that’s fantastic? The recipe is simple. Take earth and some water and play! Playing becomes even more fun with some iron cake and bundt pans. Flowers, berries, twigs and feathers from the garden can serve as decoration on the cake.
2. Deciphering clouds
I see, I see what you don’t see! Children can discover the most wonderful figures in clouds. A steamboat, a squirrel and maybe even the neighbor?
3. Learn to work with a pocket knife
Who doesn’t remember their very first pocket knife? An exciting gift that you must handle very responsibly. And of course it is, because you have to be careful with a pocket knife and you have to learn how it works. Which knife is for what and how do I cut with it? Special pocket knives for children are available in outdoor shops: the blades are somewhat blunter and round at the tips.
4. Dancing in the rain
Children like to act crazy and do things that are not allowed. So leave the raincoats and umbrellas and go outside when it rains. Success guaranteed! Does summer treat you to a heavy rain shower? Dancing through the rain in a bathing suit or swimming trunks is even more fun. The harder it rains, the better. Enjoy splashing in the puddles and jumping in the rain.
5. Bird watching
The nice thing about watching beautiful birds is that it can be done anywhere. Even in the backyard or in the park you will encounter the most wonderful birds, if you just look and listen carefully. Bring binoculars, bird guide and notepad as it will make it a lot easier. Let the grandchildren look carefully at the colors so that they can easily find the bird in the guide.
6. Dig a tunnel to Australia!
Come shovel along, off to the woods and start digging. Children are always excited to see how deep they can get. Digging becomes even more fun if they keep an eye on what they find. Old cans and bottles, for example, or perhaps an old coin. And point them at the earth while digging. That changes as they get deeper.
7. Make it a competition
Who will find the largest chestnut leaf? Who’s the weirdest insect? And who has the most stones? Make it a competition outside and the grandchildren will be entertained for hours.
8. Build a campfire
Dig a hole in the ground and place highly flammable materials in it, such as pine twigs, hay and wood splinters. Place some light branches over it. Add a match, possibly some firelighters and the campfire is ready. What remains are exciting stories, singing songs and roasting marshmallows.
9. Learn to skip stones
Once you have mastered it, you will continue to practice it for the rest of your life: bouncing stones on the water. It works best with a flat, large stone, which you throw as low as possible on the water. If the stone has enough speed, it will continue to bounce on the surface of the water. By the way, the world record is more than fifty times
10. Organize a picnic
A sunny day, a rug to sit on and a basket full of tasty snacks and drinks. These are the ingredients for a successful picnic. Prepare snacks together in advance, such as small sandwiches or a fruit salad. And then enjoy a meal in the grass.
11. Camping in the backyard
Tent, air mattress, sleeping bag and flashlight. And of course a dark night. Children find camping very exciting, even if it is in the backyard. It will probably be less scary with some extra pillows for a real pillow fight.
12. Build a hut
Building huts: children find it extremely exciting. Especially if the hut is in the forest or park, then it can serve as a secret meeting place. In the forest they can build a beautiful hut with large branches and shrubs. But of course this is also possible in the backyard . Use boxes, planks, canvases and pallets here.
13. Attract butterflies to the garden
Butterflies have a very good sense of smell. The stronger and the fruitier the plant smells, the sooner they come. The butterfly bush (the name says it all) is a favorite. Butterflies seem to be able to smell the scent from miles away! You have a good chance of success by planting a butterfly bush, in the ground or in a pot. The grandchildren will be impressed by the colours.
14. Make your own nature film
The grandchildren can’t get enough of the latest gadgets, video games and appliances? Then let them work with a video camera! There are enough buttons on it and by eventually posting the video on YouTube, it is also very cool. Choose an animal, for example a butterfly, and capture it on film. Red deer or wild boar on the Veluwe is also possible, but be sure to take a shelter with you and prepare them for hours of staring. But it is worth it!
15. Looking for fruits and nuts
Blackberries, rose hips, beechnuts, hazelnuts and chestnuts. There is plenty to eat outside in nature, especially in the fall. You can roast sweet chestnuts (delicious!) and use blackberries to make jam afterwards. Or eat them on the spot, also delicious!
16. Fly a kite
On a field or on the beach: there are many places where you can fly a kite. It takes a nice breeze to make the kite glide and whiz through the air. Use a two-line kite (new from around 20 euros), which is great for children.
17. Star hunting
Is that the North Star? And do I see the Big Dipper there? On a clear night there is a lot for children to discover. And don’t you know exactly anymore? Which star is that is still available in stores.
18. Climbing trees
What child wouldn’t want to climb a tree? Choose a tree that is not too difficult to climb. And stick with it, because it is of course exciting.
19. Spend a day helping out at the petting zoo
Collecting eggs, feeding rabbits, milking goats and cleaning out cages. There is plenty to do at the petting zoo every day. There are also regular activities and special days on which all extra help is welcome. So do your grandchildren love animals ? Just call the local petting zoo and they will be very welcome.
20. Collecting things from nature
Children love to collect. Stones and shells are suitable for this. But of course you can also spend an afternoon looking for flowers and leaves. Let these dry between a book so that the grandchildren can stick them in later.
21. Make your own nest box
Making your own nest box is easier than you think. Many construction drawings can be found on the internet, but there are also ready-made construction packages for sale. You only have to assemble this yourself and that is a lot easier for children. It doesn’t matter to the birds whether the box is bright purple with pink dots or dragon green with orange flames. As long as the inside is untreated and clean. So grab wood and paint and make the most beautiful nest box there is!
22. Jumping a ditch
Do you remember jumping in the ditch as a small child? Today’s children also love that. Choose a sunny day and bring dry clothes and towels. Because a wet suit wears out quickly.
23. Grow vegetables
Planting, sowing and harvesting yourself is great fun! Give the grandchildren a small corner in the garden where they can grow zucchini, pumpkin and potatoes, for example. Once the vegetables are ripe, a delicious meal follows from the home-grown vegetables. And the grandchildren will certainly be proud of that!
24. Whistling on grass
It takes a few tries, but then the grandchildren know how to do it. Take a blade of grass, preferably one that is a little longer and wider. Place the hands flat together, as in a prayer. Put the blade of grass between your thumbs and then: blow!
25. Make yourself a knapsack and hit the road
A good stick with a hole at the end and a good-sized handkerchief. This is what you need to make a knapsack. Let the grandchildren choose tasty snacks for the road and put them in the handkerchief. Tie this to the stick and the knapsack is ready. And then: a nice walk with the stick on your shoulder. Don’t forget to stop every now and then to eat something tasty from the knapsack.
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