one of the problems with the rise of the electronic age is that our kids have become used to letting TV and computers entertain them instead of finding things to do outdoors.
oany of us still remember being told to “go outside and find something to do” but we are unwilling to let our children spend time outside roaming free. Which is why three mothers produced Small Fry – outdoors, a book designed to give parents some guidance on rediscovering the best playground a child can have.
Here are some tips for getting your child out the door …
Gardening Random gardening – visit your local garden centre and let your children randomly choose six seed packets. (Do check that at least some of them are seasonal and likely to grow, but in summer cosmos, beans, sunflowers, pumpkins, courgettes, tomatoes, parsley, chives, marigolds, rocket and spinach are good options.) Clear a patch of garden, tip the seeds in a bowl, turn your backs and throw them over your shoulder. In a month or so you’ll have a wild profusion of plants – some of which you can eat!
Cloud watching on a warm, lazy day, head to the park, lie on the grass and watch the clouds go by. Encourage your child’s imagination by watching and describing the shapes and objects they see. Will they see a giant chicken chasing a crocodile, riding a bicycle in the sky?
Fairies Fairies at the bottom of the garden have long been a favourite for young imaginative children. Encourage imagination, compassion and sharing by getting your children to build a home for the fairies in a nice quiet spot in the garden using things like moss and lichen or objects from inside such as bread, sultanas or carrots.
High tea A flowery high tea can be created by presenting your children with a child’s tea set from the two-dollar shop, an old tablecloth, some paper serviettes and water in a drink bottle. Leave them to it and their imaginations are likely to run wild from there.
Snail races Using a hula hoop, form a circle and ask your children to find some snails. When each child has one, mark each shell with some coloured chalk and place them in the centre of the circle. The race is on!
Hidey holes Help your child find their special place in the garden, whether it’s under a low hanging tree, among the shrubs or at the top of a small tree. Whichever spot they choose, knock three times before entering. Encouraging private time in this way develops stillness, independence and resilience in your child.
Bush walks on a free day, consider heading to the hills for a bush walk. Pack a simple lunch, a compass, water, sunscreen and hats.
or grass man Fill the toe of an old stocking first with grass seeds, then with sawdust to form a round ball. Draw a face on the ball, then place on top of a cup filled with water. Put in a sunny spot. Within a few weeks the little man will begin to grow hair.
Fishing This is an excellent way to teach children the value of waiting for an end result, even though it may not always be the result they anticipated. And the thrill of catching their first fish is something that will long be remembered, so try to have a camera on hand.
Extracted from Small Fry – outdoors by Susie Cameron & Katrina Crook ($29.99, published by ABC Books)
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