We’re having so much fun exploring all the kids gardening activities we can come up with using chalk this week. Taking One Added Ingredient and introducing it to lots of different areas of play gets children thinking and imagining and creating. Using a material they are familiar with ~ in our case chalk ~ but adding it in different ways leads to all sorts of new play possibilities. On Monday I showed you how we’d use chalkboard paint to make some ever changing puppets, in our fairy garden and in a road map right across the patio. Today we’re using chalk in a treasure hunt that mixes in lots of language, maths and nature play too.
Kids gardening activities : chalk treasure hunt
I’d prepared some treasure hunt prompts ready for when L came out to play, with a few questions of things to hunt for and chalk circles to gather the finds in. L was delighted that she could read the clues herself and set off on her hunt.
We included some colours and number practice ~ recognising the written number and then counting out the corresponding number of objects.
We looked at shapes too…
and added in a contrasting shape so we could compare.
And we ended up with a great visual representation of our completed task.
Leaving the pot of chalks out, with an invitation to L to set me some challenges, meant she got to do some thinking and writing too.
And even though she didn’t feel like writing today, drawings worked just as well. This let us keep enjoying the fun of the hunt instead of it becoming a chore of having to write. We still had lots of language play going on and plenty of counting ~ especially when Mummy placed the wrong number of items in a circle and L had to double check.
And we got see what L’s favourite things in the garden are right now too.
Come and take a look at my new book : lots of ideas for outdoor play
 |
I so love your ideas! Not only are they cost effective, no need to spend hundreds of pounds but environmentally friendly too! Yet another fab idea. Searching for the chunky chalks right now! xx
Love, love, love this, Cathy!
I love this idea! So creative! Will def be doing this, this summer.
[...] NurtureStore‘s outdoor chalk scavenger hunt look like guaranteed fun?! I have a strong feeling that most [...]
I love, love, love this idea! So much fun. I featured it on this week’s linky party.
http://www.playdoughtoplato.com/2012/06/07/this-n-that-thursday-3/
[...] saw this idea on NurtureStore’s Weekly Play Planner a few weeks back and wanted to try it with the boys. L [...]
[...] Chalk Treasure Hunt :: Nurture Store [...]
Good Morning! I featured your activity today on my blog post- hope this is okay- with a link and small pic. The post is listed below. Enjoy your day!!
http://raisingcreativeandcuriouskids.blogspot.com/2012/07/summer-fun-activities.html
[...] Chalk Treasure Hunt : Do your kids love treasure hunts? Here’s a great activity that’s not only tons of fun but can also be a fantastic learning opportunity (gotta love those)! [...]
[...] set up an impromptu nature treasure hunt [...]
[...] involving chalk and a walk! Or both! We recently did a nature scavenger hunt inspired by Nurturestore and it was a huge hit and so much fun. Chalk has endless possibilities for pretend play outdoors and [...]
[...] love using chalk in the garden to extend the children’s play, and a few questions turned their water play into some detailed [...]
[...] Do more treasure hunts – I love this simple idea with chalk Nurturestore. [...]
[...] via Nurture Store Gardening Activities [...]
[...] Chalk scavenger hunt idea via Nurture Store [...]
[...] them to set up a garden treasure hunt exploring colour, shape, numbers and [...]