5 toys for preschoolers to play with outside during spring break (Photos)

A preschooler needs a tricycle if he cannot yet ride a bike. Spring break is the perfect opportunity to get outside with your preschooler and practice pedaling. Other outside toys that your preschooler can play with during spring break include the bike helmet, a ball, and kitchenette or chalkboard.
You may have heard the old saying, “You’ve got to learn to crawl before you can walk.” This principle may apply to riding a bike. Learning to ride a tricycle may be easier than learning to ride a bike because the tricycle is balanced on three larger wheels and it is typically closer to the ground, allowing the preschooler to first push it with the feet, like a big wheel.
Once the child has learned to pedal the tricycle, the legs have become strong and coordinated and the preschooler is ready to learn to ride a bicycle with training wheels or not. Riding a bike will help your preschooler to develop balance skills. Be sure to supply your preschooler with a clean helmet. Some city ordinances require helmets for those riding bicycles. Protection of the head from falls is the purpose of wearing a helmet, which can be cleaned with a spray solution to avoid spreading ringworm or lice. Not sharing a helmet can also prevent the spread of ringworm and lice.
Ball skills can help to develop hand-to-eye coordination and gross motor skills. Provide your preschooler first with a large ball for rolling, throwing and catching. A soccer ball may be used for kicking skills. Teach your child to kick from a standing position first and then to kick a moving ball or learn to move with the ball. As your preschooler learns to kick, throw, and catch larger balls, you can begin to practice with smaller balls, such as Nerf footballs and softballs.
Preschoolers can also play outside during spring break with dramatic play toys that encourage imagination and develop fine motor skills. An example is a kitchenette. The child can develop an imagination by pretending to cook various favorite foods at the kitchenette. Fine motor skills will develop as the preschooler turns the knobs of the stove. A chalkboard is also nice for developing these same skills. The preschooler will improve fine motor skills by using the chalk and by allowing the preschooler to do free art, you are encouraging the child to use an imagination and be creative.