Spring = Spanish class outside!

Looking for spring activities for your Spanish class? We’ve got you!

It’ss hard to believe that the end of the 2021-2022 school year is fast approaching! But spring has sprung, and the excitement of summer is just around the corner. As I get ready to execute the final weeks, I have kept a really important tool in my back pocket to pull out on the warm days when learners really need it. What is that tool, you ask? Why, the great outdoors of course!

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Growing up, I lived in NE Ohio and craved the vitamin D that the May sunshine would bring to us. I remember being in school and longing for the days when my teachers would take us outside so we could walk the track, draw geometrical figures on the sidewalk in geometry, and read our books for English on the soft grass. Now that I am a Spanish teacher, I still find myself longing for the days when I can take Spanish class outside for some meaningful input and optimal engagement.

Taking your elementary Spanish lessons outside is a really simple and effective way to make sure your learners are receiving valuable input and are engaged in what they are doing. Whether you are a traditional teacher or a homeschool parent, it is easy to take your Spanish class outside to enjoy the fresh air and also acquire the language at the same time. Here are five low-prep ways to get your K-5 learners outside with fun activities this spring and summer.

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Spring into a Scavenger hunt

Kids love a challenge and there is no better one than a scavenger hunt! I created a freebie scavenger hunt activity that works in both the school and home settings. Encourage your young Spanish learners to practice saying the words as they look for the objects in the great spring sunshine. When they find the objects, they can say lo encontré and celebrate!

Click here to download the free scavenger hunt!

Veo Veo for a spring Spanish activity

Of course, we can’t talk spring Spanish activities without suggesting outdoor games. The outdoors is the perfect location to play Veo Veo, or “I spy.” In Spanish, the game sounds something like this:

“Veo veo algo _____ (color)”
“¿Es ______ (object)?”
“Sí / No”

Need a visual reminder of the colors? Print out the color poster from Level A and take it outside with you.

We create curriculum anyone can use to teach young children to speak Spanish. Try it free TODAY.

Chalk the sidewalk

Using chalk to complete activity sheets or play games outside is a super simple way to change up your routine and add in some extra fun. Want to kill two birds with one stone? Practice math outside and have learners say the problem and solution in Spanish. To say “plus,” you say más and to say “minus,” you say menos. For example, 2+2=4 is dos más dos es igual a cuatro. Another idea with chalk is to play hopscotch and practice numbers 1-10! Or, try playing Pictionary with vocabulary words.

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Take Spanish activities outside with Diego dice

Diego dice, also known as Simon says, is the perfect game to help release their energy and increase their interpretive listening skills. A great resource for this is our El cuerpo poster from Level D or our ¿Qué te gusta hacer? poster from Level B. Use Diego dice as your “Simon says” command and pair it with actions like tócate la nariz and salta.

Pañuelito

How about another game? Pañuelito, also often called el juego del pañuelo, is  historically common in several Spanish-speaking countries.  Traditionally, the game is played with numbers. To read more about how this game is played, visit our blog post that provides step-by-step directions on how to play. Feel free to sub out a “panuelo” for a ball when you are playing outside!

If you are looking for more activities to get your learners outside, give our friend Mundo de Pepita a visit and learn about 5 cultural games you can play outside with your Spanish learners!

And if spring brings rain…

If the sun isn’t shining, you can still have Spanish class spring activities- inside! Turn to some of our great music and games. Sing “Las estaciones” or fill in the blanks in our song “Lluvia.” Or play our great búsqueda game with the color brown in this great outdoor scene! (What items from our scavenger hunt can your Spanish learners see there?)

Got a great idea we didn’t mention here? Let us know in the comments. Don’t forget to save our songs on Pinterest!