5 Days of Homeschooling Essentials: Outside Play Spaces

It’s Day 3 of the 5 Days of Homeschooling Essentials blog hop! In case you missed it, we have covered 2 of my homeschool essentials: books and bookshelves and magazines and memberships. Today I am going to talk about something that is absolutely essential in homeschooling. Outside play spaces!

When choosing a new home, I wanted to find a place with a nice backyard. Being able to go out in the backyard and play with the kids is a highlight of my day when the weather is nice. I understand not everyone has a backyard. That is okay! You just have to get a little more creative, but you do need to get your kids outside at least once a week. Several times a week would even be better.

As I mentioned, our main outside play space is our backyard. I like to have things in the backyard to make it more interesting for the kids, but honestly, you do not need much to keep kids happy. If they can play with sticks, rocks, plants, bugs, and dirt they can have fun for hours. Here are a few things we keep in our backyard for the kids to play with.

Swing Set

We really love having a swing set for the kids. Ours is just an old school metal swing set, but it serves its purpose. The kids can swing, slide, and climb. My daughter wants Daddy to build her a tree house. That is what she calls the newer wooden swing sets. Those do look fun! 

Toys

I also keep a big blue tub outside filled with toys for the kids. We have balls, shovels, and buckets in it. In the spring and summer I stock up on supplies at the Dollar Tree for outdoor play. I buy sidewalk chalk, bubbles, and any other little odds and ends I find that they can use outside.

Sand and Water Table

Last year we bought a sand and water table and it has been an awesome investment. During the cooler months the kids can play with just the sand and they will dig in that stuff for hours. In the summer we add water and have a blast! My oldest son’s favorite thing to do is have a “car wash” in the water side of the table. He will wash all of his little toy cars.

If you do not have a back yard, I recommend finding a local park to take the kids regularly. Just get out as much as you can!

When your kids are very young, it’s probably pretty important to you to be outside with them. You may be wondering how you can do this and what to do while your kids are outside playing. I have a few suggestions.

Eat lunch outside.

Prepare an easy meal such as sandwiches and sliced veggies and eat it outside picnic style. It would be nice to make this a regular event when the weather is nice. You know what else is nice? You don’t have to clean the lunch crumbs off your kitchen floor!

Take your work outside.

If certain chores are holding you back from taking your kids outside, bring them with you! You could fold some clothes, plan your menu, make out a grocery list, or whatever else you can think of while your kids are playing.

Play with your kids.

Finally, this one is very important. Get out there and play with your kids. Throw the ball with them. Set up races. Teach them hide-and-see and tag you’re it. Have them listen to the birds singing in the trees. Talk about the sun and how it’s position can help you tell time and direction. Find ladybugs and fireflies. Explore nature and have fun! Homeschooling is a wonderful adventure and the outdoors is an awesome classroom!

Don’t forget to visit these other bloggers to find at what their homeschooling essentials are!

• Rebekah @ There Will Be a $5 Charge for Whining
• Nicole @ Schooling in the Sun
• Leah @ As We Walk Along the Road
• Heather @ Thrift Schooling
• Lisa @ Home to 4 Kiddos
• Amy @ Homeschool Encouragement
• Monique @ Living Life and Learning
• Jenn @ Fresh Start Academy
• Lori @ Special Connection Homeschool