Reading is fundamental.
It's an idea that's so important that there's a non-profit – RIF – based on those three words.
And for some kids, reading is not only fundamental, it's also fun. They're happy to spend a few hours getting lost in the worlds of Harry Potter or Harriet the Spy. Some of them read these books and go on to create stories of their own.
But for other kids, reading is a chore. But there are ways to motivate your child to read while they're still young, including making it part of their regular outdoor play time.
We turned to the British website Nurture Store, the parenting blog Childhood 101 and Growing Book by Book, an online guide for encouraging literacy, to get some ideas for outdoor games designed to get kids interested in reading and writing.
1. Digital ABC hunt
Get out a digital camera – or a smartphone – and go looking for "letters" in the outdoors, trying to spell different words: names, places, etc. Let's say your son is named "Jack." You could look for a tree shaped like a J, a roof that came to a point – like an A – and so on. If you get stuck, take a picture of a letter on a sign. Then head home and put the pictures together to spell out your chosen words.
2. Alphabetical Scavenger Hunt
Here's another member of the outdoor games family: the scavenger hunt. Start by having your kids head outside to look for things that start with every letter of the alphabet. (Acorns, birds, clouds, etc.)
3. Act Out A Book
There are a lot of fun picture books you and your children can act out in your backyard or – if you're feeling adventurous – a local park. Two recommendations from Growing Book by Book: We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Helen Oxenbury and We're Going on a Lion Hunt by David Axtell.
4. Keep A Nature Journal
Have your child keep track of what they see outdoors. Childhood 101 blogger Debi Huang writes that she had her five-year-old child sketch something each day and write a sentence about it. For her eight-year-old, journaling meant doing a sketch and a paragraph.
5. Have Some Clipboards Handy
In addition to outdoor games, there are some practical steps you can take to encourage young readers and writers. Among them: keep a few clipboards and pencils stacked up near the door. Your kid can grab one and take it to your yard, the woods, the beach, or wherever they need a solid base for writing.
6. Read Outside
Think back to your school days. Did you ever have a teacher who moved class outdoors? Switching the normal classroom setting – hard desks, fluorescent lights – for fresh air can make a lot of difference. Maybe your children will be more inclined to read in a different environment. Get a blanket, head outside, and read under a tree.
If you're looking for ways to make your backyard a place where your children will want to spend more time, Swingset & Toy Warehouse can help. We've spent more than 30 years providing families with amazing outdoor play sets, from swing sets to trampolines to basketball hoops.
And be sure to read our blog for more ideas for outdoor games. Good luck!
