The internet is full of complicated ideas: kid crafting, elaborate messy art projects, and sensory play ideas but honestly it’s always best to get back to basics. A simple classic outdoor activity that every kid must do is rolling down a grassy hill! It’s free, it’s fun and best of all, there’s no prep time.
If your children haven’t yet experienced the glorious sensation of speeding down the hill, eyes closed, laughing at their lack of control, there’s no time like present. Despite the focus of my blog on books and indoor learning play ideas, my kids and I spend many hours outside, especially in our beloved city park. My older son is mad for birding and the kids love to tote along their field bags full of goodies on our nature walks.
During the Columbus Day school holiday I took the boys to the park as usual. We climbed a hill to sit on a bench and they started whining about being bored and said they wanted to go home.
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There was no way I was going to take them home so they could spend the rest of the day bickering! Looking down at the hill I realized they had never rolled down a hill! What?
They jumped at the suggestion and the next 45 minutes were spent rolling, smiling, and laughing. The boys actually cooperated instead of fighting! They actually thanked me for teaching them the joys of rolling down a hill! Thanked me!
When I finally said we did, indeed, needed to leave for lunch they didn’t want to leave. “Just a few more times,” they declared.
How could I refuse? After all, they were making memories.
Does it look like that had a good time? How often do your kids get out to do a little hill rolling?
More outdoor fun:
- Scooter Slalom for gross motor skills practice
- 10 tag games that tire kids out
- Outdoor family games
- Warm Weather Car Wash Activity
Natalie says
Love the action shots. Yes, rolling down the hill is on our list of things to do in the park when the ground is not too wet and we remember to be dressed in the clothes that are ruined anyway (aka “play clothes”).
Jen Robinson says
Fun stuff! My daughter basically does this once a year, at our neighborhood’s annual July 3rd party. There’s a perfect hill for it, and all the kids go to town – it’s very fun to watch!
belindambrock says
it looks wonderful and joyful—definitely the stuff of memories. i don’t want to be a wet blanket, so to speak, but i would caution parents to be sure their kids were rolling on grass that had not been treated with herbicide.
writersideup says
I LOOOOOOOOOOOVE THIS!!!!!!!!!! I absolutely ADORE old-fashioned, simple, don’t-need-a-toy, UNPLUGGED fun! 🙂 I’m tweeting this, for sure 😀
Erica MomandKiddo says
Thanks, Donna. It’s amazing how we forget that simple is so much fun.
writersideup says
Ooooh, I NEVER forget! 😀
Emma @ P is for Preschooler says
My daughter loves rolling down the hill and the park near our house has a great one. She’ll do it over and over again and then say, “Mommy, my tummy feels weird.” Every single time. And then she’ll do it again! LOL!
maryanne @ mama smiles says
LOVE this. Rolling down hills was one of my favorite childhood pastimes – and my kids love it as well!
Ros says
ps. even more fun when mum or dad join in ! – and lovely for us too to remember the joy of
being a kid.
Erica MomandKiddo says
Yes, I agree! Lots of fun for grown-ups, too.