Outdoor play: three to four years Clare Walters There are lots of fun things to do outside with preschool children.

Keeping busy

Look and collect - take a basket when you go for a walk in the park or countryside. Collect interesting bits of natural objects, such as bark, leaves, conkers and acorns to label and display at home. Do the same for seaside jaunts with shells, pebbles and seaweed. First make sure you're not removing anything protected and avoid anything poisonous.

Stepping stones - cut out squares of cardboard and dot them reasonably close together around the garden. Then ask your child if he can walk across the 'stones' without falling into the 'sea'.

Washday - put out a large washing-up bowl of bubbly water and let your child wash his teddy's clothes and hang them on a mini washing line.

Hit the target - put a large bowl on the ground and ask your child to throw a ball in it. If he gets the ball in, ask him to take a step back and try again. See how far away he can be and still hit the target.

Count how many times your child can hop on one leg

Quick challenges - in the park, count how many times your child can hop on one leg, catch a ball without dropping it and jump in the space of 30 seconds.

If the play area you're using has water, remember to supervise your child at all times.

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