Research suggests that free play is important as it allows children to be creative and develop their brains and bodies in a way where they have more control of their activities and the ability to use their imaginations. Free play helps develop the whole child in a fun and less adult driven environment. Of course, making sure play is safe, appropriate, and with adult supervision is always of the upmost importance when children are playing.
Indoor / Outdoor Activity Ideas:
- Use technology for active exercise and play such as pedometers, Fitbits, Wii Fit,
exercise videos on YouTube, & child friendly sites such as GoNoodle that encourage
movement breaks
- Freeze Dance to your favorite music
- Balloon Volleyball (Volleyball is our next unit of instruction when we get back)
- Create and obstacle course outside (safety first)
- Scoop & Ball Catch Challenge (use a milk jug with the bottom cut off as your scoop,
Have an adult cut the bottom off with a pair of scissors)
- Crawl through tunnels using chairs and blankets
- Hula Hooping
- Hula Hoop & Ball Creations as we did in class
- Jump Rope challenges – single, long rope, Chinese patterns from class
- Hop Scotch, 2 / 4 Square (use chalk to draw your own pattern)
- Various sports balls to work on skill development (soccer ball, basketball, football, frisbee, tennis ball, whiffle ball, baseball, playground ball)
- Home Play Structure (swings, slides, climbing)
- Bike, scooter, roller blade, skate board (remember helmets and safety gear)
- Walking, jogging, running around the neighborhood
- Spring cleanup & yard work to help around the house
- Wheelbarrow, crab walk, and bear walk races
- Animal walks
- Scavenger hunt around the yard
- Tag
- Partner towel and ball catch
- Racket challenges (badminton, tennis, paddle ball)
Have fun with your free choice activities and remember to keep play safe and appropriate.