HT Games
Hula Hoops
Place several Hula Hoops around the yard as an obstacle course and challenge children to ride a bicycle, or a tricycle, around them. If children cannot ride a bicycle or tricycle, have the child run around the Hula Hoops, or jump in and out of the hoops as if it were a hopscotch game. Alternatively, hold the Hula Hoops upright, or have other children hold the hoops upright, and toss balls or bean bags through the hoops. Children can even crawl through the Hula Hoops as if the hoops were a tunnel.
Sidewalk Paint
Create an eco-friendly sidewalk paint by mixing one part cornstarch with one part water. Add food coloring to the mixture to create different colors. Allow students to paint pictures on a sidewalk or driveway with the paints, or even create a hopscotch game or obstacle course using the paints. After the fun is over, simply spray the sidewalk or driveway with water to remove the paint. Cornstarch and water is completely natural and will not harm nearby plants or introduce chemicals into water or soil.
The Bug Jug
Wash and rinse a two-liter plastic soda bottle thoroughly. Replace the cap on the bottle. Cut a rectangle in one side of the bottle. Place the bottle on its side, with the rectangle hole facing up and add some dirt to weigh it down. Add plants, stones or sticks to give insects a place to hide. Cut a piece of netting large enough to cover the hole in the side of the bottle. Challenge children to catch some insects and place them in the bug jug. Tape the edges of the netting over the rectangle hole, ensuring that bugs get plenty of air. Make sure that the insects have access to food and water.
Buried Treasure
Spray-paint a few rocks silver or gold. Bury the rocks in the sand. Give children a shovel and challenge the children to find the buried treasure. You can even create a treasure map to help children locate the buried treasure. Alternatively, you can bury small toys or trinkets in place of the spray painted rocks. If children are having difficulty locating the treasure, give the children clues, or play "hot or cold" to help the children locate the treasure.
Bubbles
Have children build a bubble pipe by inserting a straw into the side of paper cup, near the base of the cup. Cut the hole for the straw ahead of time. The straw should fit snugly. Fill the paper cup 1/4 full of bubble solution and have children blow on the straw to create bubbles. Another option is to have children create a bubble blower by fastening 3 to 6 straws together with a rubber band. Children can then dip one end of their bubble blower into the bubble solution, blow on the opposite end and create bubbles. Bubble solution can be created by mixing one cup of liquid dish soap with 1/2 cup of water. Remember to use non-toxic dish soap.
Ice Blocks
Create blocks of ice by filling clean milk cartons with water and freezing the cartons overnight. The size and shape of each block depends on the milk carton. Add a few drops of food coloring to the water prior to freezing for colored blocks. Challenge children to stack the blocks in different formations. For extra fun, hide a small toy inside the block of ice.
Bottle Sprinkler
Poke several holes around the base of a clean, two-liter soda bottle. Screw the cap onto the bottle. Have children submerge the bottle in water and watch the bubbles form as the bottle fills with water. After the bottle is full, remove the bottle from the water and allow children to play in, and otherwise enjoy, the water as it streams from the holes in the bottle.