If you've been feeling depressed while being stuck indoors the last few rainy days and can't wait for some sunshine to play outside again then this post is for you. Many of us are lucky to have gardens to spend time in, but if you're living in an apartment or complex hopefully there is still an outdoor space you can visit to get some fresh air and sunshine. Spending time outdoors and experiencing the beauty of nature can do wonders for boosting positivity and general health and happiness.
1. Lawn Games
If you have a patch of grass the games you can play are endless. From ball games like soccer or cricket to games that get the blood flowing like catchers, stuck in the mud, one legged races, pretending to be lawn mowers by holding legs, somersaults, hand stands, obstacle courses, balancing as well as the calmer options: counting blades of grass, searching for ants (see Bug Hunt below) cloud gazing and hide and seek.
2. Autumn leaves
This time of year marks a change of season and no doubt there will be a tree or two in your garden losing its leaves. Use this as an activity where you sweep or rake the leaves together, bag and add to the compost heap but before you do that choose some of the most beautiful ones for crafts.
3. Crafts
Here are a few simple crafts I've enjoyed doing with my kids (aged 2 and 5) you can always vary it according to skills levels and find other ideas on the internet: Bark/leaf prints, Flower petal mosaic, Stick men, Cross for Palm Sunday and Easter. Half the fun was gathering the material and roaming the garden searching for sticks, bark, leaves of all shapes, colours and sizes and picking flowers. I must say that I really enjoyed playing around with shapes and designs using the materials, a fun exercise in creativity for all ages!
4. Flowers
I know it can be heartbreaking when all the flowers get picked off the plants in your garden, but this is part of the reason you have a garden- for it to be enjoyed! Flowers can be pressed and used to make cards, put in a vase in the home, used to make flower crowns, used for crafts, used to teach your child about the anatomy of the flower, placed on water to see how it floats.
5. Scavenger Hunt
Make a list of things to find (5 to 10 things should be fine, again varies on age of children) I find using colour a bit easier (Find something Red, Green, Pink, Yellow and Brown) Or finding specific items (An autumn leaf, a stone, a stick, a flower, a feather, treasure, a seed) Easter Egg hunts in the Garden are also always a big hit!
6. Bug Hunt
Set out on an expedition to find as many different bugs as you can. Lift stones or logs to see what grubs are hiding below them. Visit forgotten parts of the garden. Look for snails, lizards, ants, worms, spiders and birds. I also love doing bird-watching by trying to see how many different species you can spot on one day, listening to the different bird calls, feeding the birds, sketching birds in the garden and searching for feathers.
7. Picnic
We are all looking for a change of scenery and the perfect one is to have a picnic or tea party in the garden. Invite all the teddy bears and use plastic tea sets filled with water. Bake some special treats for the occasion. Or have a baking craft like Marie Biscuit decorating with sprinkles for some extra fun.
8. Plan a Vegetable Garden
Find an area in your garden that you can dedicate to a Vegetable Garden and start thinking how you can create this. Involve your kids in the design and discuss raised planters, compost and which herbs and vegetables you might like to include. Then when the lockdown is over you can buy these plants at a nursery and put your plan into action.