Читать книгу Dadventures: Amazing Outdoor Adventures for Daring Dads and Fearless Kids - Alex Gregory, Alex Gregory - Страница 20

The story of ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ has grabbed all our imaginations at some point in our lives. We’ve all been nervous for Jack as he climbs skywards towards the land of the giant at the top of the beanstalk, and yet more scared when he hides from this behemoth of a man, shouting weird and scary words at the top of his lungs. What does ‘Fee-fi-fo-fum’ even mean? There have been many versions of the story written over the years, with various different illustrations, all creating fear and excitement in those who hear it. After school, to use up that last bit of energy in your young person, why not climb to the top of the beanstalk and encourage them to catch the giant!

Climbing a beanstalk, by Jasper. Sometimes the giant is scary, sometimes he’s nice, but he always makes us laugh.

Suitable trees aren’t always available at short notice with limited time, but if they are, then great. Helping your child escape and create a game in an imaginary world is stimulating and hugely beneficial.

What you need

 A climbing tree with plenty of branches low down, so your child can get off the ground.

What to do

1 This activity is like a game of hide and seek, but it’s more exciting. Have an idea of a tree you can climb into and be prepared to run.

2 Ask your child to count up to an agreed number.

3 As with hide and seek, quickly make your way to the tree and climb to a point that’s just out of their reach. If they can climb, then the higher the better. If they’re too young to climb, it’s no problem. Just get slightly off the ground. This could be on a stool, a garden bench, a big rock or a tree stump. Once they finish counting and start looking, the fun begins.

4 When they spot you up in the tree, start acting like a giant, growling ‘Fee-fi-fo-fum’ and swinging the branches.

5 The game stops when they reach you and touch your feet.

It’s such a simple activity but incorporates so much. It gives you and your child the chance to be free, run and climb. I guarantee there will be a lot of laughter when the game is in full swing.

Please do take care, as an excited child climbing a tree can pose dangers. In the excitement to catch you they can forget to hold on. Please be aware of this as you play the game.

Challenge

Change the character who has to be found. You could be a pirate, dinosaur, monster, alien or an escaped wild animal from the zoo.

Guarding treasure is a great game. Take a piece of cloth that is the treasure. Tie it loosely at the place you have climbed to. Once you’re caught, they’ve won the treasure and get to go and hide and guard it themselves.