Outdoor Maths Activities. Taking mathematics out of the classroom can spark a new enthusiasm for the subject. Nature offers us various ways to practice and study mathematics without always having to resort to blackboards and school.
10 Outdoor Maths Activities;(To Practice Math Outdoors)
Following Judy’s plans, the focus of the activity is flexible, but you must have resources such as:
- A space that can be used in case a group needs concentration to perform mathematical calculations
- Strings or ropes to use with trees and stakes to create lines. Surely students will also need them to make triangles that allow them to calculate perimeters and establish ranges, sizes and similarities between triangles. Tape and posts can be used to create 3D figures.
- A parachute-style tent for educational activities. This is used for number games such as assigning numbers and asking participants to change position. For example, assign numbers and ask students with even numbers, with factors of 3, with a number squared, etc. They are located inside the tent.
- Elements to make a giant clock. They can be strings, rings, sticks for the hands of the clock (or students can make hands).
- Numbers that can be hung from the fence to identify sequences.
- A giant coordination grid. It can be used to make bar or line graphs with an array of students carefully positioned in the spaces or lines where the strings pass. Boards can be used to number the grid.
- Boxes with money. 16 numbered boxes are required for students to work in pairs counting money. Counting games can also be used for strategy activities in pairs.
- Circles on asphalt to measure circumferences, diameters, radii and, for older students, to find the connection between the diameter and circumference of a circle. With ropes, sticks and rulers all these activities can be done.
- An area should be designated for doing math calculations using chalk.
How to work math outdoors at school
There are many activities that can be done outdoors during school hours, and also with the family after school hours, so that mathematics is more real and much more exciting for the little ones. Do you want to know some?
- Work the measurements. Simply looking for some twigs or stones in the park, you can create an activity in which children learn the sizes, the largest and smallest what… etc.
- Pot recycling. Each child can take a series of old pots from home or buckets (of different shapes and sizes), and experiment with them, turning them upside down in the open air, the value, variety and amplitude of sounds. Then you can ask questions like: do larger containers produce a different sound?
- How many steps are there. Have the little ones calculate the distances using large or small steps. Try setting up challenges like: how many steps is it to the next streetlight? Then ask them to calculate and verify, and they will surely feel like continuing to practice and improve.
- Patterns and sequences with balls. A good activity for children is to combine math with sports, for example, taking a ball to the park or field and challenging children to invent patterns and sequences in which they have to bounce, roll, throw… With a series instructions, you can also establish the patterns and ensure that the children follow them conveniently.
- Multiplication tables with steps. Practicing the multiplication tables outdoors can be a lot of fun, and doing it by taking steps can be a very good choice to put it into practice. If it is the table of five, for example, have them count their steps in a whisper: (1×5) “one, two, three, four…” and then say, FIVE! aloud. And continue like this with each number.
- three-dimensional pyramids. Find large sticks or use old broomsticks and string them together to create a den frame in different 3D shapes, or create cube, square and triangular pyramids… These constructions are so much fun and can help work on geometry and proportions with ease. If you want to add a plus… do it with costumes!
- Explore and interpret a map. Create games in which you have to look for clues through a map, since this will be useful for children to learn to interpret them properly or to use a compass. A very interesting activity also to learn about movement, directions, angles or directions.
- Numbers and symmetry. Draw a line on the ground with chalk and place five objects that can be found in nature (a rock, a leaf, a pine cone, etc.) on one side of the line. Children will have to find five similar objects to place on the other side of the line (mirror effect), which can be a great lesson in symmetry.
- Go shopping. Money matters, especially as we grow and we must understand what payment and change are, what can be bought with the money we have…etc. Asking children to classify coins or count them, or creating yard markets where you have to buy and sell products with play money, can be very good activities for children to become familiar with numbers on a daily basis.
- Catch the numbers. Any outdoor outlet allows us to look for numbers and count: doors, street numbers, traffic signs… Try doing this counting activity with the children and ask questions like, what is the largest number you could find? and the smallest? You can also raise the idea of taking photos or drawings of the numbers located to record and order them in class.