Spring is almost here! For some parents, that means their kids will be outside all the time. Others need to be encouraged, and what better than to offer them new toys ? Here are some interactive and educational toys that will help your child step away from their screen and into the outside world!

1) Insect box

This is a fun option for young children or those who don't feel like getting their hands dirty while they explore. An insect box will help your child learn about the textures, shapes and colors that can be found outdoors without having to go outside. Your child can take an active role in finding the items they want to learn more about, or parents and older siblings can collect items for them to observe safely inside. Your child will also learn about cause and effect relationships by learning about what certain animals eat, what leaves are found on certain trees, and where certain tools of nature can be found. This will encourage his visual tracking and object recognition abilities by observing details he hadn't seen before. By manipulating these objects, children will learn fine motor skills and be able to tolerate a range of new textures.

2) Bird house

Children may begin to take an interest in and care for other animals. They may be learning to feed the cat or walk the dog, so take it a step further and teach them about birds and their nests. Your child will use their creativity to decorate this birdhouse, while you engage in conversation about the current project. Your child can get to know the types of birds, what they eat and how they behave day and night. Children can also learn about safety, as the hut will need to be placed far enough off the ground to be safe from bears, cats and dogs. Kids might also enjoy learning how squirrels often interact with birds!

3) Binoculars

To go with their new birdhouse, your child will love their first pair of binoculars ! This will allow him to focus on relaxation and emotion regulation while working on visual tracking, scanning, object discrimination and attention to detail. Children can observe birds, different types of landscapes, squirrels, animals and everything in nature. Your child might also enjoy experimenting with their binoculars indoors by looking at household objects up close. It can help him discover different perspectives and even use critical thinking to guess what objects are without looking outside his binoculars.

4) Butterfly catcher kit

Your kids can get a head start on a popular school project: watching butterflies grow. With a Butterfly Catcher Kit they can learn about cause and effect, following directions, sequencing and organizing steps, and more as they prepare the butterflies for their journey of transformation. They can learn the passage of time and the value of patience by watching, waiting, and maybe even recording what they see! You can teach your child about time by having them mark the days on a calendar until each step is completed.

5) Book on the wonders of nature

All children need a nature book to complete their outdoor games. It's a great option if your child likes to read or if you don't have the time or the know-how to teach them about the great outdoors. Kids can take this book outside to match the objects in it with the topics covered in the book, or they can get their feet wet before venturing outside to explore on their own . Either way, this book is sure to spark your child's imagination while encouraging learning and a sense of community with their surroundings.

6) Dinosaur block game

All right, the dinosaurs are no longer found in nature today. But your kids will still love pretending! This durable wooden block set is a great toy to take outside and use in dirt or sand to give your child a more authentic play experience. It will boost their imagination while developing their critical thinking to create trails, scenarios, mountains and whatever else they desire.

7) Woodland Animal Masks

This is a great way to teach children the game of charades. You can encourage them to make noises and movements to imitate some of their favorite animals - and maybe even new animals. With the animal masks they can learn about expressive and receptive communication while improving their gross motor skills. If the child is too young or not interested in this game, he can still learn to use the masks on his own (to develop his fine motor skills!) and find out about the animals he imitates. This can help them learn the first skills needed to one day participate in charades or other role-playing games.

8) Kit géodes National Geographic

Your young explorer will love to dig, dig, dig and dig with this geode kit. This gives them the opportunity to develop upper body strength, coordination, fine motor skills, timing, visual discrimination and to work on their aim. Kids will love discovering what's inside, which will only increase their motivation to work harder and hit the center. This is a great solo or group activity, as kids can pair up and see who is fastest at discovering each object.

9) Frog Hatchery

For kids who prefer reptiles to insects, but still want to see things grow, opt for the frog hatchery to help them learn about cause and effect, as well as timing and following directions. They will have to learn patience and stay organized in order to follow each step and do everything right to make sure the frogs hatch when they need it!

10) Nature Scavenger Hunt

With the end of winter and quarantine, your child has probably explored all there is to see within the four walls of your home. Now encourage him to get outside and learn all there is to learn about nature with this treasure hunt. It's a great activity for kids young and old to reconnect with their roots while working together to find what they can find. This activity develops visual scanning skills, judgment, safety awareness, cooperation and teamwork, following instructions, object association, and much more. Treasure hunts are a great way to turn your kids' heads!

11) Model planes

It's a great way for kids to focus on their STEM skills, while having a great outdoor space to test them out. Kids can focus on following instructions, sequencing tasks, organizing rooms, translating pictures into physical directions, and more. Kids can work together or alone on these projects, then head out to a large open space where they can test them individually or even race to the end of a nearby field. The possibilities are limitless !

There are plenty of screen-free options that allow your child to be active, engaged, and learn about nature in the most interactive way possible. Take a look at some of these toys to stimulate your child's creativity and thirst for knowledge while developing their skills in various fields!

 

11 nature-themed toys for spring