A sunny day is perfect for an outing. Here are five simple, fun, and educational games that require little preparation.
A sunny twist on the classic game of tag. Instead of tagging the person, the tagger must step on another person's shadow. This game sharpens observation skills and playfully teaches children how the sun creates shadows.
Create simple bingo cards with things for the children to find (a smooth stone, a pointy leaf, something red, something soft). It encourages mindfulness and helps children recognize the diversity of nature around them.
All you need are a few buckets of water and brushes. The children can "paint" on stones, tree trunks, or sidewalks. The "paintings" disappear as they dry in the sun—a fascinating lesson in evaporation with zero mess.
Lie down together on a blanket and look at the sky. What shapes and animals can the children see in the clouds? This game fosters imagination and creativity and is wonderfully relaxing.
Stick a straight stick into the ground. Every full hour, place a stone at the tip of the shadow. By the end of the day, the children will have built their own sundial and gained an initial understanding of how the Earth and shadows move throughout the day.