Advanced Pediatric Therapies


Get Outside!

on June 13, 2017

Every summer, I’m asked to compile a list of outdoor activities for families.  Our service model changes over the summer from weekly visits to intensives.  During that time, we encourage families to get outside to play and to MOVE!  There are so many fun games and activities to choose from.  Here is just a partial list:


For the little ones:

  1.  Crawl around with your mason jar and find some cool bugs and leaves.
  2. Dig in the dirt, use a shovel and get messy!
  3. Play in the sandbox, making sure to have buckets and cups to lift the sand.
  4. Water the plants with heavy buckets of water.
  5. Use an old sprayer to mist the plants or “paint” a brick wall.
  6. Dig up some rocks that you can then paint.
  7. Put some rags in a bucket of water.  Make a chalkboard target on an outside wall.  Throw!!
  8. Climb a tree.
  9. Help Dad wash the car.
  10. Take the dog for a walk, the more pulling the better!
  11. Play tug o’ war.
  12. Go on a nature scavenger hunt.
  13. Jump rope.
  14. Stack rocks and make a sculpture garden.
  15. Make a mud pie.
  16. Run through the sprinkler, then spin through the sprinkler, then jump through the sprinkler, get creative!
  17. Blow bubbles outside and watch them fly away.


For older kids:

  1. Set up a zip line in the back yard.
  2. A slack line is also great for older kids.
  3. Ride your bike around the neighborhood, try to balance on a chalkboard line in the street.
  4. Go for a swim.
  5. Power wash the back deck. Take some before and after photos.
  6. Hang wet clothes outside on the line.  Or hang artwork, or photos. Host an art show.
  7. Go skateboarding or scootering around the neighborhood.
  8. Play bocce ball in the yard with friends.
  9. Play hopscotch or foursquare in the driveway.
  10. Bring fresh flowers or veggies to a friend.
  11. Deliver newspapers.
  12. With supervision, climb a ladder and wipe some windows.
  13. Play some kickball!  Or volleyball!  Or tennis!
  14. Set up a tent (by themselves) and sleep in it in the backyard.
  15. Do a potato sack race.

Give us some of your own ideas!


Update:  If you have younger kids, check out these cool articles from PBS Kids on Sneaking in Learning over the summer and Best Free Apps to get kids outside.

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