Resources and activities

Outdoor opportunities for under-threes are often lost because practitioners overlook using such an exciting and stimulating space when planning activities. Indoor areas can limit children's exploration and investigation possibilities due to layout, limited space or resources. Try some of these ideas in your setting's outdoor area.

Wellington sensation

* Gather a range of children's Wellington boots - brightly decorated ones are ideal.

* Place a variety of natural objects into the toe of each boot, for example a few leaves in one, a fir cone in another, a pebble, twigs, a flower, bark, grass.

* If possible, attach the boots to a board or wall. If not possible, place them on the grass or path.

* Encourage the children to find the 'treasure' inside.

* If you have two boots the same, put in the same contents and play a matching game.

* Name each 'find' and discuss the texture with the children.

Seasonal weave

* Erect cane wigwams (from garden centres) or hang netting in the outdoor area.

* Place a range of objects such as scarves, lengths of material, ribbons, large feathers, flowers and bendy twigs by the wigwams.

* Help the children to weave and join the materials on to the wigwam frames.

Umbrella hide

* Place a range of brightly-coloured children's umbrellas around the garden - under a bush, hanging from a low branch, against a fence, or on the grass.

* Open the umbrellas up and hide a few objects behind them. Items could include a kaleidoscope, magnifying glass and pile of bugs (real or plastic).

* Encourage children to find the hidden items and investigate them.

Treasure dens nStand a couple of clothes horses in the outdoor area.

* Drape coloured material around and over them to make a den. The colours could reflect the season, such as browns and oranges in autumn. Or use vibrant colours found in the colour spectrum/rainbow.

* Hang pockets, such as 'shoe pockets', on the frame.

* Place a variety of interesting objects in the pockets and around the den - baskets with leaves, scarves and gloves, small buckets or wooden blocks.

* Allow the children to explore and experiment with the various objects, or gather items to add to their den.

Other activities

* Place a ladder flat on the ground and play stepping and counting games on it.

* Prepare small interest areas in the garden by creating piles of natural materials, such as fir cones, twigs and pebbles, to encourage investigation.