Ellen, an early years practitioner has asked for activity suggestions for the children she looks after as a registered child minder to do safely in her garden.

When I was working as a registered child minder I had a small walled garden that we made the best use of as I believe that children can benefit from being outside.

As I love the sun on warm days I would sit and top up my tan while watching the children play in the shade: Once a child asked why I sat in the full sun when I persuaded them not to. I truthfully told him it was because I was silly.

I always put lots of sun screen on both myself and the children and they wore sun hats. More on sun safety here.

Bubbles are something that the children enjoyed blowing and popping!

Chalking on paving slabs is fun and the rain even washes it away for you.

I was asked by my N.V.Q. Assessor to set up a garden obstacle course which the children enjoyed and it helped with building gross motor skills here.

Depending on the size of your garden, Ellen, you could make a scavenger type treasure hunt for the children.

Ride on and push along toys are always a firm favourite with young children.

As are sand and water play: I used to encourage the children to guess if objects would sink or swim when placed in the water tray.

My No.1 best garden activity is to supply a bucket of water and large paintbrush and let the children ‘paint’ a wall or fence ( as the wall gets wet it cchanges colour- giving the effect that it has been painted).

Other ideas are to read to the children or give them books to look at in the shade, or take toys from inside outside to play with, for example, toy vehicles, or teas sets to use with the water tray.

If you use a sand pit ensure that it is covered after use to prevent cats from using.

Toys that are suitable for outside here

Of course, if you have the space and time, giving up some of your garden to grow vegetables with the children has to be the ultimate activity.

Gardening with children here

For more activities to do at home both inside and out I have written this: Only 99p available here

I hope this has helped, Ellen, all you need now is a decent summer for the children to enjoy your garden.

As always questions and comments are welcome.

Until next time.

Karen

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