The Playful Parent™

Leaf Bonanza

Fall often means it’s time to rake leaves. For most of us that signals a terrible word: Work! But here are a few ways to make leaf-raking fun for everyone!

Summary: Try these fun leaf-based activities to break up the work of raking.

Best for: Preschool and elementary aged kids.
Seasonal/Holiday Focus: Wait until you’ve got a lot of leaves on the ground. No trees in your yard? Ask a neighbor if you can play in his or her yard, and rake the leaves when you’re done—it’s a great service project.

Supplies: Rakes and bags for leaves.

 

Before You Begin

No prep necessary. (Woohoo!)

Ready to Go!

Try one or more of these leafy ideas:

• Leafy Obstacle Course. Rake leaves into paths and piles to make an obstacle course. Be sure the kids are involved in both the planning and the making of the course. You might have a row of leaves that has to be jumped over, a pile that has to be waded through, a bigger pile that has to be rolled in, a series of piles that have to be circled around, and a line of leaves for the finish line. Take turns running through the course (you might have to repair it after one or two have waded or rolled through the leaves) and see who’s fastest. Add obstacles for older kids and make the course easier for younger ones.

• Bag-It Race. OK, this is a sneaky way of making work FUN! Have everyone rake a pile of leaves, and then give each person a bag. Race to see who can fill his or her bag first! The winner gets a five-minute rest.

• Bag Sculpting. Once you’ve filled a few bags, see what you can make out of them. A giant wall? A bed for resting? A fort? Send us pictures of your great creations!

• Leaf Rubbings. This is for those who don’t want to rake at all! Choose a beautiful leaf from the yard, place it on the table, and put a sheet of paper over it. Take the wrapping off a crayon and rub the side over the paper with the leaf underneath. You’ll see the amazing patterns and designs God made in that leaf show up on your paper. Decorate your refrigerator with a few to remind you of the leaves even after they’ve been raked (or blown) away.

--Mike & Amy Nappa

Why We Play

Research has shown that the ability to play is a critical part of maintaining a happy lifestyle, of sustaining social relationships, and fostering a creative and innovative personality.

Play actually shapes the neuron paths in the brain and makes us smarter and more adaptable to life circumstances.

Additionally, a healthy play-life as a child is a surprisingly accurate predictor of career success as an adult. 1

And...it's fun to play. So what are you waiting for? Use this Playful Parent idea to share a little bit of play-life with your children today!

1. Source: Play by Stuart Brown, M.D. (New York: Avery, a member of the Penguin Group USA, 2009.) Pp. 4-13