" For hours of fun outdoors "

Whether it's spring, summer, fall or winter - exercise and outdoor games are healthy for young and old. Not just because of the fresh air! But what can you do to keep your children occupied when walks alone aren't exciting enough or when boredom and helplessness reign? There are plenty of play ideas for children and toddlers here.

Why is outdoor play so important and healthy?

Spending time outdoors is good for parents and children for several reasons:

Active exercise and outdoor activities are good for children

• Oxygen wakes you up first and makes you pleasantly tired later: You read that correctly - oxygen wakes you up first, but also makes you tired after playing outdoors. So if children play outside for longer, they will reach a pleasant level of sleepiness more quickly. Short bursts of play, on the other hand, allow them to concentrate better, for example on their homework.
• Soaking up the sun brings vitamins: Vitamin D is the so-called sun vitamin. It is rarely found in sufficient quantities in food. Spending time outdoors, however, is the best way for the body to produce the vital substance itself.
• Discovering the world makes you smart and sporty: Can I balance on this ledge? How can birds fly? Whether it's recognizing and distinguishing plants, observing animals or building a tepee - children can discover, experience and understand a lot outdoors, try things out and, of course, move around in a completely different way than within four walls. This stimulates and challenges the brain and body.
• The immune system is strengthened and protected: during the cold season, regular ventilation is often recommended, as fresh air contains fewer germs and is usually more humid. This is good for the mucous membranes and the immune system. Playing outdoors not only fulfills this purpose and is good for the immune system. Spending a lot of time outdoors can also strengthen the body's defenses because the organism gets used to different temperatures, the movement ensures better blood circulation and thus contributes to a healthy supply.

Children play - adults take care

As much as toddlers and older children can benefit from playing outdoors, parents should prepare their time outdoors carefully.

So: Snack box and drinking bottle don't forget rain or sun protection and have a towel ready for water games. In kindergarten bag or children's suitcase, the little ones can even carry their outdoor equipment themselves.

The great thing about preparing for outdoor play is that a picnic can be organized at the same time and even rain doesn't stop the fun.

Learning and play ideas

There are lots of ideas for children to play with, but often we just can't think of them at the right time or they require toys that are unfortunately still at home. We have therefore put together some learning and play ideas that (almost) do not require any equipment:

There are a wide range of outdoor activities

• I see something you don't: That little bug over there? The single acorn on the tree? The strangely shaped stone? Children are motivated to look around carefully. By asking questions about colors, shape and position, describing, vocabulary and logical thinking are trained.
• Nature memory: A stone, leaf, pine cone, berry, chestnut or twig are collected and spread out. Depending on the age of the children, there can be three, five or more objects. The winner is the one who is quickest to find the objects in the garden, park or forest.
• Fisherman, how high is the water? A line is drawn at a distance of around eight to ten meters or other points of reference are used as boundaries. In between is "water". The fisherman indicates how the "water" must be crossed. For example, hopping on one leg, doing somersaults or closing their eyes. As long as the players are "in the water", the fisherman can try to catch them.
• Wild hunt: Catch is a classic game idea for children. It gets even wilder and more exciting when the little ones have to collect certain things outdoors to be safe from the hunter. Pick up a leaf from the ground or pluck three blades of grass, for example.
• Hide and seek: Another classic game idea for indoors and outdoors is hide and seek. Can I fit behind this stone? Am I completely hidden by the tree or bush? The game is not only fun and exciting, it also strengthens awareness of the body, spatial awareness and creativity.
• Blindfolded touch: bark, stone, leaf, twig, grass or the pose of a person. With their eyes closed, young and old players can only rely on their sense of touch. Of course, when the children are playing, the adults have to guess too.
• Foot fishing: Ideal for hot days at the lake, beach or river or if a paddling pool is available. A ball, stone or leaf is either sunk in the water or floats on it. The players have to fish the object out with their bare feet. This refreshes and trains coordination. The winner is the one who can fish the fastest or the most.

There are lots of great game ideas at the lake or sea - but the paddling pool will do too

Game ideas for toddlers

Toddlers still have a lot to learn. This seems to reduce the possibilities and play ideas for these children. However, with a little creativity, there are actually lots of games for young children. For example:

• Balancing: On a drawn line, a lawn edge or a string lying on the ground, even the little ones can balance wonderfully with a little help. This trains balance and is great fun.
• Throwing and catching: A small ball, an apple, pine cones, a chestnut or even a soft toy - throwing and catching is simple but also very good for hand and eye coordination. If it works well, the distance between catcher and thrower can be increased.
• Hold poses for photos: Inflated cheeks, standing on one leg or balancing on a ledge - holding a funny pose trains the muscles and the photo is a great souvenir. Taking photos can also be a great play idea for small children. Bugs, leaves, friends - even the youngest children are trained to look closely for good motifs.
• Laying and building: A pattern made of stones, a castle made of sand, a small house made of twigs - laying and building is a rather quiet outdoor game that nevertheless requires a lot of attention.
• Start and stop: To the tree, to the stone, back to the tree - the rules of this game can be designed very freely. The main thing is to run, jump or walk as slowly as possible. Even toddlers can do this and have lots of fun outdoors.

Children can also help with gardening and learn a lot about the environment

Of course, the following applies to all play ideas for children: safety must be paramount and play must be age-appropriate. The play ideas and rules should therefore be adapted as necessary.