Every week, Child Care Resources will publish The Bored Jar blog, which will provide you with ideas of activities to do with the children in your care. We know that much of the correspondence we send has to do with rules and regulations, but The Bored Jar will only be filled with fun activities. Whenever you’re bored with your kids, try some of our Bored Jar ideas!

Outdoor Activities in 10 Minutes

When transitioning into outside play, it is often handy to have a fast set-up for whatever game or activity you will be doing. With the summer now in full swing, we have decided to post a few quick-start summer outdoor activities:

1. Bubbles. Whether you make large or small ones, the creation of bubbles will fascinate children, is fairly clean (they are playing with soap, after all) and can lead to some amazing discoveries! To mix: combine 6 cups water with 2 cups of Joy or Dawn dishwashing liquid, and add ¾ cup corn syrup. For colored bubbles, add food coloring! Mix in a shallow pan, and make sure you and the children take some time to make interesting bubble makers out of wire, pipe cleaners, plastic lids with the center cut out, or plastic can rings (these make multiple bubbles!)
2. Chalk. If you live in an area with many cement or concrete surfaces, chalk is an excellent way to be creative outside. It works on wet or dry surfaces, and encourages greater creativity with the huge blank spaces to fill. Sidewalk chalk comes in many colors and is fairly cheap; with it you can transform the driveway and sidewalks around your house or facility into wonderlands of expression!
3. Sprinklers. Not enough time or planning to go to the water park? Never underestimate the power of your yard or garden sprinkler. The children love to have control over when they get wet and how, and this is safe and active play that can take place in your yard at home. Perfect for the hot afternoons; be sure to encourage the ideas of waiting one’s turn and watching where you run, for sometimes in the midst of more chaotic play the hose and sprinkler can be tripped over.

These are also activities that can be useful to organize outdoor free play into a focused group activity before going inside for nap time or quiet time. Be sure the children wear sunscreen whenever they play outside, and in all of these cases, one can never seem to have enough towels! ;)