Today’s the day the teddy bears have their picnic! This is a timeless classic that younger children in particular will enjoy. It’s a chance to be out in nature without children realising or feeling like learning is the primary focus of the activity.
It also offers a chance to explore the imagination, and for children to practise their language and story telling skills through play. Due to it being a picnic, there is a chance to help children learn about different foods, how to prepare them, and how to enjoy them outside!
What you will need:
- Some teddies
- A picnic mat, towel, rug, or scarf (optional)
- Food
- Plates and bowls
How to organise your teddy bears’ picnic:
- Plan an outdoor location – whether a balcony or a woodland, the teddies will be happy.
- Let the children lead the activity. This will help them to develop their planning and leadership skills, encourage responsibility and will be more fun for them.
- Once the children have chosen a spot, check they have chosen safely, and help them to set out the picnic.
- Take the children’s lead on which characters would like which foods. Some children might start doing this with ease, others may need prompts to help them use their imaginations.
- Once children have got the hang of this, they will practise their conversation skills through the teddies. They may even take the teddies to explore ways to play outside.
- You could sing songs at your picnic and play games – the song “Teddy Bears’ Picnic” would be perfect!
- Remember to make your picnic real enough that you and your family, group, or class, can enjoy eating it too.
Share photos of your picnic using #DiscoverLearnPlay