ABCs Theme
Meet at an apple orchard. While at the apple orchard describe the difference in the apples such as big and small, ripe and not ripe. Have each child pick out apples to take home to eat or cook in one of your favorite apple recipes!
Numbers Theme
Meet at a library. Let your child choose a certain number of books to check out to take home to read. Children learn to like books at an early age. They also develop an interest in libraries and the service they offer.
Cars and Trucks Theme
Schedule to visit a local fire station (appropriate for children 2+ years). Emergency services teams encourage visits from parents. This is a fun and educational outing for children.
Meet where the children can ride their bikes or tricycles. Many parks have paths for riding. Look for somewhere flat if possible, so all ages can ride.
Farm Animals Theme
Visit a local petting farm or park where there are ducks. Don’t forget to bring bread so the children can feed the ducks. Ducks can often be aggressive when feeding, so watch children closely during this event. Use your own discretion.
Bugs Theme
Go on a bug hunt. Hide plastic bugs around outside the house or a park. Use a bag, jar, or box to collect the bugs. (Add craft by making bug jars or bug homes out of boxes first.) If you’re more adventurous and the children are older, use magnifying glasses to identify bugs or ants.
Colors Theme
Meet at a park. Find a place where the children can box bowl on an open grass area. Use empty tissue, food, or shoeboxes and tape on different-colored pieces of paper. Stack and roll the ball to bowl over the boxes. What colors are still standing? Younger children can participate by just taking turns knocking the boxes over. A colorful snack or lunch can be prepared to bring along on this outing.
Day and Night Theme
Have the children dress in there pj's and have a pretend slumber party during playgroup.
Trains Theme
Take a ride on a train or trolley. Often you can find a train at your local zoo, museums, amusement park, or petting farm. If not, take the make believe “Passenger Train” outside and around the neighborhood.
Sea Animals Theme
Visit an aquarium or pet store. Children of all ages enjoy watching fish and admiring their colors and different types.
Take the children to a pool or fountain and let them splash around.
Food Theme
Take a field trip to a farmers market, fruit or vegetable farm, or the grocery store. Pick fruit and vegetables to take home. Talk about different kinds of fruit and where and how they grow. Have the children try the different types you picked.
Meet at a child-friendly restaurant or pizza place.
Music and Dance Theme
Form a marching band and march around the neighborhood. Make hats or use hats you have around the house, horns, drums, and any instrument that could be used to make music. Also, pull out some old clothes and let the children dress up.
Plants and Nature Theme
Go for a nature walk at a park that has trails/paths, or around a neighborhood. Give each child a paper bag to pick leaves or a container for rocks. Make sure to discuss what they see on the walk such as flowers, trees, rocks, birds, clouds, etc. Also, listen to the sounds birds make. The children can pretend to be birds by flapping their wings and chirping or whistling. Babies enjoy walks and are never too young to take in what nature has to offer.
Visit a nursery, garden, or forestry center.
