Making Outdoor Activities Second Nature This Summer

Outdoor activities for preschoolers offer tons of benefits, including being great for their bodies, emotions and brains. Plus, they help kids develop a love for nature. Being outdoors helps your child use their senses to soak up the sights, sounds and textures of nature. 

As the temperatures outside heat up, consider these tips and suggestions for fun outdoor activities for preschoolers. 

Basic Tips for Outdoor Activities for Preschoolers 

Before you venture outdoors with your preschooler for some fun in the sun, there are few basic tips to keep in mind. 

• Check temperatures, UV index and air quality: In general, during summer in Colorado, young children should avoid the outdoors when the heat index is 90 degrees Fahrenheit or higher and when the ultraviolet (UV) index is highest, which is usually between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. The National Weather Service’s HeatRisk Dashboard can help you determine when it might be too hot to venture outdoors. The UV Index uses a 1-11+ scale to gauge ultraviolet radiation levels. Check out these heat tips for infants and children from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Head Start’s summer safety tips also provide some helpful considerations for keeping your preschooler safe outdoors this summer. 

• Use sun protection:  During the summer and when the heat and UV indexes are highest, be sure to frequently apply sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher. Remember to apply it to all areas of the body that are exposed, including hands, feet, face, arms and legs. Try to lather up your little one with sunscreen at least 15 minutes before venturing out, and reapply every two hours or immediately after swimming, sweating or drying off. According to Fun in the Sun: Keep Your Family Safe from Colorado Kids Pediatrics, 80% of UV rays make their way through even on cloudy days so don’t ditch the sunscreen when it’s gloomy outside. Sun hats and protective clothing are also great to wear when heading outside. Be sure to read The Very Best Sun-Protective Clothing for Kids and Babies for suggestions (and deals) to suit up your little one this summer. 

• Stay hydrated: Even if you’re not planning on a super active day, ensuring you and your little one stay hydrated is important to avoid heat-related illnesses and dehydration. Children between the ages of 4 and 8 should aim for at least 5 cups of water per day–and often more if they are playing a sport or are physically active. Drinks like Pedialyte or  Gatorade that have electrolytes are helpful when temperatures or activities heat up as they balance fluids and ensure proper muscle and nerve function. These 13 Creative Ways for Kids to Stay Hydrated can be helpful if your little one isn’t super enthusiastic to drink up.  

Here are a few more resources to check out as you plan your outdoor activities with your little one: 

• Summer Safety Tips for Kids: How to Avoid Burns, Bike Accidents and More from Children’s Hospital Colorado 
• How to protect your health in higher temperatures and extreme heat from the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment 

Fun Outdoor Activities for Preschoolers

Now that you and your little explorer are prepared for the outdoors, it’s time to head outside. Here are a few ideas to get you started: 

• Go on a nature color hunt – Help your child identify colors with a sensory-filled scavenger hunt outdoors. Whether at your neighborhood park or in your backyard, this is a fun way for your child to learn about the textures, smells and colors of different items in nature. This fun color hunt blog post outlines how to make a guide for your little ones to use as they venture off finding all the colors of the rainbow. 
• Plant a garden – Gardening is a great way for your child to practice organization, learn about different plants and help with sensory development. Playing in the dirt, smelling different flowers and making patterns with seeds or plants are all fantastic ways for your child to sharpen their senses in a relaxed and cozy setting. Our blog post Spring Activities For Preschoolers: Art Activities, Field Days, and More offers more tips on how to dig into some garden fun this summer. 
• Play number games with chalk – Using different colors of sidewalk chalk, write letters and numbers and have your child hop or skip to each number or letter that you call out. This is a fun way to improve counting and letter recognition while developing gross motor skills. Check out our blog post Let’s Chalk About It: Sensory-Friendly Sidewalk Chalk Ideas for more suggestions. 
• Design a backyard obstacle course – Foam pool noodles, hula hoops, buckets and ropes all make great objects for a fun outdoor obstacle course. Your child will have a great time crawling, jumping and running around from beginning to end. Encourage them to use their imagination to create their own play area, and join in the fun to boost their physical activity and coordination outdoors. Need more inspiration? Check out How to Make a Backyard Obstacle Course For Kids from Hands On As We Grow®.
• Learn with bubbles – Catching, counting and creating different shapes of bubbles are all great ways to help your child learn while blowing bubbles. Check out these 15 bubble ideas for kids from Days With Grey. 
• Create adventures with bugs – From hunting for bugs in your backyard to recognizing unique bug sounds, shapes and habitats offer lots of ways for preschoolers to use their curiosity outdoors. You can even purchase a butterfly garden kit or butterfly kit with live caterpillars to watch the entire butterfly lifecycle up close right in your own home or bug box before releasing them back into nature.  
• Splash into fun– Denver offers water fun in every neighborhood. Find the best splash pad or pool near you or create a fun water day for your preschooler right in your backyard with a water table or wading pool. 

If you’re looking for more suggestions for outdoor activities for preschoolers this summer, don’t miss these 20 educational outdoor activities for preschoolers from Brightwheel. 

Indoor Activities During Stormy Days for Busy Preschoolers 

Some summer days just don’t allow for outside fun. If high temperatures or stormy afternoons force you and your little learner indoors, check out our blog posts for ideas to keep you active (and safe): 

• Fun Indoor Activities for Preschoolers During Winter (or Anytime!)
• The Power of Play – Top Games for Preschoolers
• Extreme Weather Safety Tips: How to Teach Preschool Kids About Changing Weather 

Don’t Miss DPP at Denver Events This Summer

There are so many benefits to outdoor learning and play – the possibilities are endless! Just spending time together outside is fantastic for your child’s physical and mental well-being, creativity, senses and focus. It’s also a wonderful way for the whole family to take a break from the usual routines. However you decide to enjoy the summer, Denver Preschool Program wishes you and your family a happy and healthy season ahead. Be sure to join us at fun, family-friendly summer events in Denver near you!