outdoor play party - play while you travel

Once you reach your destination finding time for outdoor play can be easy or at least possible. You may have to make it a priority, ask others to find time for it or make sure that it gets planned into family functions but it can be done. But while you are traveling, between destinations and on your way, outdoor play may not be what is on your mind. For us our most frequently traveled path is by car to visit family. And while we like to "just get there", as I like to say, fitting in some outdoor play has become more important to us recently.

Finding places like Peck's Farm Market along the roadside is great!

We have also learned how to utilize rest stops to their fullest potential. You can read it here.

Planning stops that include exploring and even hiking is a great way to break up a long road trip.

So traveling this week I stuck with the rest stop trick. The girls hit the playground, we searched the green space for natural treasures and played around with comparing sticks that we found. The outdoor play helps my girls to be willing to get back in the car. To be willing to sit and sing songs, look at books and talk to each other for several more hours. The outdoor play, even though it makes the trip longer in time, makes all of us more patient and happier with each other.

Outdoor play on the go, not perfect or incredibly "green", but very important!

Now on to the party...

My feature post this week comes from No One Has More Fun Than Adams'! Her Leaf Hunt post is great for several reasons. First off, I am a sucker for scavenger hunts and I love that this one is not just looking for colors but also comparing size and counting. Plus, it is GREAT when teachers, parents and bloggers are willing to freely share what they created. The print out that she put together is great and I think it is awesome that she shares it!

Be sure to check out her post and if you still have leaves falling give the hunt a try!

How did your kids play outdoors this week?

Share your ideas for outdoor play activities with us! Here’s just a few guidelines for sharing.

• Any kind of children's outdoor play is welcome. If it happened outside, then please link it up!

• Please do not share any competitions, promotions, or posts that are not related to Outdoor Play.

• Please remember to link back to this post and help us spread the word about the importance (and fun!) of outdoor play!

• Each week we will feature an activity from the previous week. By contributing you are giving permission for an image and link to your post to be republished.

Comments

[Rebekah@GoldenGleam]

Love all the links about how to make long drives possible. When we traveled to Maui, and took the long drive to Hana with our daughter, everyone thought we were nuts. I didn't find it bad at all because there were so many beautiful spots for nature walks and hikes along the way.

[Abbie]

Making stops along the way for physical activity and outdoor exploration is really the best way to make a road trip work, but you have to plan the extra time it will take.
Thanks so much for commenting!

[Jessica]

Thanks for popping by my blog! :)

I'm going to keep this in mind...we're outside a lot, but oddly this week we weren't (unless you count a trip to Gettysburg Battlefield).

I'll keep you in mind for our next nature-inspired day outside and surely link up!!!