An Idea to Spruce up Your Walks
Sometimes the idea of going outside for a walk is unappealing to a child -they’d rather watch a movie, or colour, or play inside with their toys. Then again, these little bundles of energy need fresh air and an outlet to release steam. Next time your little tike is in a funk like this, try a “Scavenger Hunt/I Spy” game.
Perhaps not a scavenger hunt in the truest sense of the word because we don’t collect items, but Jaden loves this game. I take a piece of paper and draw out a few items I know we’re going to see on our walk. Then I write the name of the item beside the picture and an empty box beside that. I give Jaden the sheet of paper and some stickers and we set out. Jaden has to find all the items on his list and mark what he’s found using a sticker. Usually for him (since he’s only four) we review the list before we leave and when I know we’re approaching one of the items. Here’s a sample list on a “town walk” we took
Perhaps not a scavenger hunt in the truest sense of the word because we don’t collect items, but Jaden loves this game. I take a piece of paper and draw out a few items I know we’re going to see on our walk. Then I write the name of the item beside the picture and an empty box beside that. I give Jaden the sheet of paper and some stickers and we set out. Jaden has to find all the items on his list and mark what he’s found using a sticker. Usually for him (since he’s only four) we review the list before we leave and when I know we’re approaching one of the items. Here’s a sample list on a “town walk” we took
1. A red car.
2. A stop sign
3. An “Enter” sign.
4. A yellow flower
5. A flag
6. A red brick building
Sure my drawings were a bit pitiful, but it helped my non-reader to remember what we were looking for without too much assistance from me, and it was his own adventure. And of course there was a reward at the end - a cup of hot cocoa (or maybe in the summer a popsicle!). This also allowed me a bit of an enjoyable walk because I had a few minutes of silence while he sought out the items and I was able to enjoy the sounds of birds.




June 12th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Ahhh, it sounds like today was a good day for you both. The walk sounds great and I’m glad you enjoyed some moments of silence out there
Mrs G x
June 12th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Hello Mrs. Green
This is actually a stand-by activity for J and I. It really does make for a nice day!
Cheers!