Games in Nature
The Importance of Play
The importance of play cannot be overemphasized. It is the natural way that children interact with nature and is not superfluous or “just for fun.” Play is the simplest and fastest tool for encouraging children to begin a deeper exploration of their surroundings. It also is an important signifier of safety.
Ecological education can happen anywhere. If you have a tree, a blade of grass, or even just a parking lot, there is space for inquiry and exploration.
One easy method when beginning to teach outside is to start by creating a map of all organic life in your schoolyard or area and then continuously add to it. Here is an ant hill, dandelions are growing through the cracks by the fence. What will surprise you is the incredible amount of life colonizing what appears to be a dead space.
Games About and in Nature
Stalker
Direct Experience & Focusing Attention
This game is designed to immerse students in their natural world. Players must be very aware of their surroundings, particularly what is underfoot. It is a great game to focus attention on an energetic group, and all you need is a quiet, outdoor space. This game goes well with a lesson on mammals, including predator and prey behaviours and instincts. With one blindfolded 'prey' player in the middle, the rest of the group's (predators) aim is to slowly creep up on them without making a sound, so they may tag the prey and win the round.
Learning outcomes: developing strategy, focusing energy, learning behaviours and patterns of PEI mammals, observation, teamwork
Predator & Prey
'Direct Experience'
This game has been a favourite at our camps since we began. The game should have at least 15 players, and be played outdoors with clear natural boundaries. Including the explanation, this game can take up to two hours, so make sure you have lots of time allotted.
Learning outcomes: Food web, mammals of PEI, working with others towards a common goal, physical movement, learning animal characteristics and behaviours, having a positive experience in nature
Owls & Crows
Awaken Enthusiasm
This game is a great way to get a group excited for the day ahead, because it breaks the ice, and gets everyone moving. The game is a combination of trivia and tag, with two teams. One team chases the other depending on whether the trivia answer is true or false. A big open space with few obstructions is ideal to play in. The game works best with a minimum of 10 students and can last anywhere from 10 minutes as a refresher, or 30 minutes for a full game.
Learning outcomes: Working together towards a common goal, testing knowledge, physical movement, testing solidified knowledge, positive experience/familiarization with topics surrounding local ecology.
Animal Moves
Awaken Enthusiasm, Direct Experience
This game is especially useful when talking about mammals. It is a chance for students and leaders alike to be theatrical, and embody the animal in discussion, which invites empathy and a feeling of closeness with other animals. Younger kids love this game, but it is fun to challenge older kids too. The game lasts about 20-30 minutes but can go however long you like, and works great with groups of anywhere between 5- 20 students.
Learning Outcomes: Empathy developed in embodying another mammal, increased understanding of native mammals, animal characteristics, moving the body, social bonding
Camouflage
Awaken Enthusiasm
This game is a quick activity, wonderful for hikes and just fun. It requires a bit of explanation - but worth it. Play in a dense young forest, with lots of ferns and ground cover and fallen logs. Games last about 15 minutes a round and can be played with up to 25 students.
Learning Objectives: Spacial awareness, camouflaging, quiet focus, positive experience in natural spaces, social bonding
Speed Camouflage
Awaken Enthusiasm
This is similar to camouflage but faster and works best in a thicket or dense young forest. In this game, the prey stands in a spot and can turn 360° and crouch. Works best at the end of the day, and is pure fun. Works with ~ 15-20 students and can run from 15-40 minutes.
Learning Outcomes: Positive experience in the forest, Independent play, hiding, physical movement, spacial awareness
Plant Identification Game
Awaken Enthusiasm
This is a great game for helping reinforce identification skills or information learned on a hike or discussed during a presentation. Can be played in any comfortable, open space. Can be played with smaller groups (6-9 students), or full classes.
Learning Outcomes: Reinforce identification skills and information learned, solidified learning, independent thinking, physical movement, and interact with ecological information in a positive way
Spider Web Game
Awaken Enthusiasm
Similar to 'octopus go', or 'fruit salad', this game involves running across an open area, from one side to the other without getting tagged. This game is excellent for burning energy in a high-energy group, or getting a slow group moving and excited. A large open space is key. minimum 10 players, can last anywhere from 15-40 minutes depending on the groups and game variants.
Learning outcomes: Positive experience in nature, working together, social bonding
Tails
Awaken Enthusiasm
This is often one of the first games we play at camp in the morning of 'amphibian day', to get everyone moving, and excited for the day. To play you need an open space with clear boundaries, and strips of tape or cloth to make 'tails' for students. The game works best with 15+ students and can last up to 40 minutes.
Learning Outcomes: Understanding of basic salamander characteristics, learning spacial awareness, independence, social bonding, physical movement
Egg Carton Colour Game
Focus Attention
This game is a winner. It is wonderful for children of all ages and while at first, it may seem incredibly simple, it is one of those activities that becomes addictive and enthralling. Play in a natural space with a variety of plants around. This game can be played with a large number of students, as it is mostly self-led, although leaders check in with individuals as the game progresses.
Learning Outcomes: discovering, and exploring natural spaces independently, developing an appreciation for the range of colours and textures, spatial awareness, and matching colours.