How can we plan activities that are both active and individual with the children playing together? It sounds impossible. But there are many ideas for these activities AND please send us your ideas as well. How about a scavenger hunt. You can go on a nature walk and collect items from the list. Pictures and words help children identify them, even if they can not read, and exposes them to the print that matches the picture. 

Trike and obstacle courses can be set up for individuals to participate in a small group. The play structure can be set up as an obstacle course for completing by turns. You can measure the time it takes from start to finish! How about soccer with chalk-drawn positions that you can not leave or maybe if one child leaves, then another child can take their position in the circle. 

There are so many ways to prepare the space for sharing from a distance. If distancing is not possible, then face shields or masks can be used so the children can play together in the dramatic play area. This is now the reality we are imitating! The neck tubes "gaiters" are now popular among children and make a great ninja style mask for shared play outside.

Bird watching, insect collecting, nature gathering collages, and a scavenger hunt all provide for movement and discovery while allowing for social distancing.