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OUTDOOR GAMES FOR DAYCARE FOR TODDLERS & PRESCHOOLERS

Toddlers and preschoolers are full of boundless energy, always seeking connections, fun, and engaging play experiences with friends.

 

While play equipment is essential for motor skills and imaginative play, sometimes good old-fashioned outdoor games can be the best way to provide a safe and enjoyable environment at daycare centres. Games like “Red Rover,” “Red Light, Green Light,” and “Duck, Duck, Goose” have stood the test of time and continue to bring joy and excitement to children’s lives.

Benefits of Group Outdoor Games:

Engaging toddlers and preschoolers in group outdoor games at daycare centres offers several benefits. These games help build social bonds, encourage teamwork, enhance communication skills, and provide much-needed physical exercise. Additionally, these games require no equipment and can be played in a level open space, making them accessible and easy to organise.

Outdoor Games for Toddlers and Preschoolers:

Red Rover:

In this classic game, children form two teams by joining hands to create a chain. Each child has the opportunity to call a member from the opposite team to break through their chain. The chant, “Red Rover, Red Rover, let (child’s name) come over,” signals the challenge. If the child successfully breaks the chain, they can choose a captured player to join their team. The game continues until all children have had a chance to call someone over, and the team with the most players wins.

Red Light, Green Light:

This fast-paced and exciting game involves one child being designated as “it” and standing at one end of the playing area. The remaining children line up at the opposite end. “It” turns around and chants, “Red light, Green light, 1,2,3.” While “it” has their back turned, the other children rush towards them, attempting to tag “it” before they turn around. If “it” catches someone moving, that child is out. The game resets when “it” is tagged by another child, who then becomes the new “it.”

Duck, Duck, Goose:

A beloved classic, this game gets kids up and running. The children sit in a circle, and one child is chosen as “it.” “It” walks around the circle, gently tapping each child on the head, calling them a duck. At any moment, “it” taps one child on the head, calling them a goose. The goose then chases “it” in an attempt to tag them before they sit in the vacant spot. If the goose doesn’t tag “it,” they become the new “it,” and the game starts over.

Remember to provide close supervision during these activities to ensure safety and manage enthusiastic players.

At daycare centres, incorporating classic outdoor games for toddlers and preschoolers fosters a sense of joy, friendship, and physical activity. “Red Rover,” “Red Light, Green Light,” and “Duck, Duck, Goose” are timeless favourites that encourage social interaction, teamwork, and active play. These games require no equipment, making them easily accessible and enjoyable for children. So, let’s inspire endless fun and connection among kids through these classic outdoor games, creating cherished memories and fostering a love for outdoor play.

 

 

Director & Mum