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  • Hi, I'm Vicky, the founder and content creator at Mess For Less. If you are looking for family-friendly recipes, recipes that kids can make, and play and learning activities for kids, you will find them at Mess For Less. I invite you to learn more about me. Thanks for stopping by!

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    Home » Learning Activities

    Learn Through Movement: Reading - I Spy Neighborhood Walk

    Published: May 1, 2013 · Modified: May 2, 2022 by Vicky · This post contains affiliate links.

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    I am thrilled to bring you some fun Learn Through Movement activities with my friend from Train Up a Child. We are sharing all kinds of activities that will help kids learn while moving and having fun. Monday, we all shared some math activities. I shared our Math Number Hunt which got the kids outside where they practiced counting and numerical order. Today's activity - I Spy Neighborhood Walk - focuses on Reading and includes free printables.

    Learn Through Movement - I Spy Neighborhood Walk with Free Printables

    I decided it would be fun for the kids to go on an I Spy neighborhood walk. I created some free printables which you can get below. On the printables, I included sights that kids might see on a stroll around the neighborhood, and a place for them to record their post walk thoughts. There are pictures and words to help emergent readers make the connection between words and print. My 3 year old is not reading yet so the pictures were a big help to her. My 4 year old twins are readers so they used the words more than the pictures as they walked along.

    I got some cheap clipboards at the Dollar Store and used them for this activity. Simply tie a pencil to a clipboard and the checklist can be completed on the walk. Before we left we talked about what a neighborhood was and what sorts of things we might see. The kids had lots of great ideas for things I hadn't even thought to put on my list. I then gave them their clipboards and asked them to read me the names of the things they would be looking for.

    Get the I Spy Neighborhood Walk by clicking here.

    Free printable for neighborhood walk

    We didn't have to go far to check our first item off the list. As soon as we stepped outside the door, my daughter spotted a car.

    Neighborhood Walk Scavenger Hunt
    child checking things off clipboard

    Then they took off down the block in search of other items on their list.

    I Spy walk for kids
    kids writing on clipboards

    We spotted some rocks in a neighbors front yard.

    tree with rocks and grass

    There were lots of flowers, so that got checked off the list right away.

    yellow flower

    A stop sign was a little more elusive, but we finally found one. The kids were so excited, they couldn't help running.

    Neighborhood walk for kids

    The kids managed to find most of the items on their list with the exception of a traffic light and a bicycle. When we got back home they wrote about their favorite thing from the walk and read me what they wrote. They also created an illustration from the walk.

    child drawing on clipboard

    The neighborhood walk was a huge hit! The kids keep asking when we can do it again. I would have never thought that something as simple as taking a walk through our neighborhood could be so much fun for kids. I guess it just goes to show that even with all the technological toys that kids have access to, sometimes you just can't beat a good old fashioned walk.

    For more Reading through movement activities check out:

    Gross Motor Phonics Games from Train Up A Child

    If you missed Learn Through Movement Math, you can find those activities here:

    Gross Motor Addition Game

    Add It Up

    Number Hunt

    Learn Through Movement is a series from Train Up a Child  and Mess For Less. Join us on Friday for Learn through Movement - Science. 

    For some great Play Inspired by Nature check out these posts from The PLAY Group members Growing a Jeweled Rose and Housing a Forest.

    Rain Painting

    Rainy Day Puddle Play

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Katie

      September 17, 2015 at 9:21 pm

      Thanks for the great idea! My son is going to think this is awesome!

    2. Samantha

      September 22, 2013 at 2:47 pm

      I just tried this idea with my 2.9 year old twins. It was great! I'm going to share my experience on my blog because it's such a great idea (I will link back to you of course). Thanks!

    3. Susan @ homeroad.net

      June 01, 2013 at 3:03 pm

      Thanks so much for the printable... I teach prek and we are down to the end of the year. This would be a great little on campus field trip!Susan

    4. Becky

      May 03, 2013 at 5:00 pm

      What a super fun idea! I love it 🙂 Thank you for posting. We will definitely be doing this on our after dinner walks!!

    5. Allison Sonnier

      May 02, 2013 at 7:07 am

      Really awesome idea Vicky. I should really do this.

    6. Melinda

      May 01, 2013 at 5:24 pm

      I'm stealing this idea. love how focused your girls are!

    7. Anna

      May 01, 2013 at 3:12 pm

      My kids would love this! Thanks!

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    Hi, I'm Vicky, the founder and content creator at Mess For Less. If you are looking for family-friendly recipes, recipes that kids can make, and play and learning activities for kids, you will find them at Mess For Less. I invite you to learn more about me. Thanks for stopping by!

    Easter Activities and Recipes

    • Stained Glass Easter Cookie Recipe
    • How to Make Spotted Easter Eggs
    • M&M Easter Cookies
    • Shaving Cream Easter Eggs

    Spring Activities

    • How to Make a Mother's Day Card
    • DIY Seed Starter for Kids
    • Flower Craft Idea
    • How to Make a Paper Butterfly - Easy Craft for Kids

    Popular Recipes

    • Crack Chicken Casserole
    • Overnight Egg Casserole
    • Toasted Italian Sandwich - Food Fun Friday
    • Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Bake

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