5 – 7

Pitch a tent

Activity

Pitch a tent

What to do with this activity?

Children love crawling into a safe little "house" like a tent, especially outdoors. It might be a real tent, a toy tent, or something you have made with, for example, a blanket. Furnish it inside with cushions and blankets, and bring the soft toys for a visit. Have a real or pretend picnic in front of your tent. If you have a back garden, think about spending a night camping there with the kids. Or find a safe and quiet corner of the local park to set up for a couple of hours during the day.

Think of ways to make a tent for outdoors - string a washing line low between two trees and drape a picnic blanket over the top. Spread it out in a A shape and put some rocks on the edge to hold the edges down. Or use an A frame clothes horse to drape a tarpaulin over. And find some instructions here for a teepee tent from Mamapapabubba. 

If you get a chance, go camping for real with your kids. Here is a link to some cool Irish campsites according to Pól Ó Conghaile, an Irish travel writer. It doesn't have to be expensive and makes for a very special overnight. 

 

  • Why am I doing this?

    One of the ways children learn is through play. A child who is playing is refining learning skills that continue to develop during childhood and beyond. Indoor and outdoor games are a great way of practising some of the reading, writing and number skills your child has learned.

  • How can I do more?

    Encourage your child to teach you a game – letting them teach you something is empowering for your child.

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