Alphabet Antics (and other ways to keep children occupied on a walk)
We all know fresh, air exercise and time in nature are good for us but these games and activities will make it fun for the whole family.
Teaching Against the Tide is for anyone who works with or cares for children. Applying neuroscience to nourish us as adults while we nurture our youngsters.
The Activity:
· You can do this anywhere – on a journey, in the garden, at the beach – but my favourite is when you are simply out for a walk.
· Whoever starts has to spot something beginning with ‘a’.
· The next person then spots something beginning with ‘b’.
· Then continue working through the alphabet in order, taking turns amongst everyone in the group.
· You can be as simple (ant, bark) or as creative (animal-like shapes in the clouds, buzzing insects in the bushes) as you like.
Variations:
· If you are on your own, this is a great mindfulness activity to keep you occupied and noticing your surroundings on a walk. Simply mentally work through the alphabet.
· Take a paper bag each and turn it into a scavenger hunt, trying to collect items for as many letters of the alphabet as possible.
· Print a list of the alphabet and make the activity easier by allowing children to spot things out of order, ticking off each letter or recording next to it what they spot as they go.
Why do it?
· It keeps children (and adults) occupied when on a walk, avoiding the ‘are we there yet’ or ‘I’m bored/tired’ comments.
· It stimulates vocabulary and imagination.
· Children enjoy the challenge of trying to complete the whole alphabet.
· It encourages engagement with the natural world and focuses the mind on being present in the moment.
· Fresh air, exercise and time in nature have a multitude of benefits for both physical and mental health.
· Plus you are practising the alphabet as you go so there’s a sneaky bit of learning in there too!
Other Ideas for Wild Walks:
· Play ‘I spy’ either in alphabetical order or not – it’s up to you!
· Turn it into a memory game: We went for a walk and we saw … with each person having to repeat the previous items seen before adding a new one to the list.
· Go on a Sound Hunt and identify as many different noises as they can. For a real challenge, try identifying sounds in alphabetical order!
· Try a colour hunt, where children have to find something for each colour on their list. Paint sample cards are great to use for this. They can act as bingo card (tick off each colour as you find it) or a challenge to see who can find the closest colour match in a natural object.
· Take binoculars or a magnifying glass with you on a walk for children to use.
· Older children may enjoy having a map to follow the route on as they go.
