A long weekend is the perfect opportunity for children to slow down, reconnect with nature, and express themselves in meaningful ways. Whether it is through creative projects, outdoor exploration, or shared storytelling, a few simple activities can help children make wonderful memories while building important developmental skills.
At Starfish Early Learning Centre, we believe every experience is an opportunity for learning. Through the Reggio Emilia philosophy, we see children as capable and creative, using a hundred languages to communicate and explore the world around them. Long weekends offer time and space for these languages to shine, whether through movement, art, music, or imaginative play.
Here are some thoughtful and engaging activities to inspire families this long weekend.
Creative Artwork: Expressing the Hundred Languages
The cooler autumn days are perfect for encouraging children to dive into creative artwork. Setting up open-ended art invitations allows children to explore colours, textures, and forms without limitations.
Using natural materials like leaves, twigs, and flowers alongside watercolours or clay invites children to express their ideas in ways that are meaningful to them. These explorations of form, colour, and movement are part of the many languages children use to share their understanding of the world.
Creating seasonal artwork, like decorating small canvases with leaf prints or assembling nature collages, is a beautiful way to celebrate creativity and the changing seasons.
Games That Foster Fun and Learning
Structured games are a lovely way to weave early learning skills into everyday play. Simple memory games using themed cards, matching shapes and colours, or even scavenger hunts in the garden encourage critical thinking and problem-solving.
These experiences help children practice patience, collaboration, and communication in an authentic and joyful way.
Story Time: Imagination Through Books
Long weekends offer precious moments to slow down and dive into the world of stories. Sharing books with children builds vocabulary, imagination, and emotional connection.
Choosing books about changing seasons, friendship, or new adventures can help children reflect on their own experiences and emotions. After reading, children might like to retell the story in their own way through drawing, dramatic play, or building scenes using open-ended materials.
At Starfish ELC, we encourage children to explore storytelling through many languages, nurturing their confidence and ability to express themselves.
Outdoor Adventures: Connecting with Nature
Autumn offers a sensory-rich outdoor environment perfect for discovery. A simple walk to collect leaves, listening for birds, or feeling the cool breeze on their skin invites children to slow down and observe.
Outdoor activities for the long weekend could include:
- Creating nature mandalas using collected objects
- Building small dens or imaginative worlds with branches and fabric
- Observing clouds and describing the shapes they see
Engaging with nature strengthens children’s sense of curiosity, resilience, and wonder, key elements in early childhood development.
Sensory Play: Engaging Curious Minds
Sensory play encourages exploration and supports fine motor skills, concentration, and self-regulation. For the long weekend, setting up a simple sensory experience at home is a wonderful way to keep little hands and minds busy.
Some ideas include:
- A nature-inspired sensory bin with rice, pebbles, pinecones, and dried leaves
- Homemade dough scented with cinnamon or lavender for calming tactile play
- Water play with scooping, pouring, and floating natural objects
Shared Cooking Experiences: Little Chefs in the Kitchen
Cooking together offers a beautiful opportunity for children to practice measuring, mixing, and pouring, while also sharing time with family. Simple snacks like fruit skewers, mini muffins, or sandwich-making activities build fine motor skills and introduce early mathematical concepts like counting and volume.
Encouraging children to be part of food preparation fosters independence and a sense of pride. It also invites discussions about healthy eating and where our food comes from, linking daily experiences to wider understandings of the world.
Building Social Skills Through Group Activities
Inviting siblings, cousins, or friends to join in group games or shared creative projects helps children build their social skills naturally.
Collaborative experiences like making a large painting together, building a fort, or going on a mini outdoor adventure give children the chance to practice negotiation, empathy, and teamwork.
Why Long Weekend Activities Matter for Early Learning
A long weekend is more than just a break in routine, it is an opportunity for meaningful growth, joyful exploration, and deep connection. By providing children with open-ended, sensory-rich experiences, we nurture their natural curiosity and love for learning.
At Starfish ELC, our educational philosophy is centred around valuing the hundred languages of every child, encouraging creativity, resilience, and connection in everything we do. Whether creating beautiful artwork, running through nature, sharing stories, or simply enjoying moments together, the long weekend offers endless opportunities to support children’s development in a warm and authentic way.
To learn more about our approach to early learning and how we celebrate the creativity and potential of every child, visit Starfish ELC or Contact Us.