10 FUN AND CREATIVE ACTIVITIES THAT WE LOVE DOING AT CHILDREN FIRST

With the arrival of the new season in Zurich, it’s the perfect time to take your children on a nature walk. From the lakeside paths of Zurichsee, the leafy trails of Irchel Park, the forests of Zürichberg, to the playgrounds, nature walks provide an excellent way for children to explore, play, and learn while connecting with their environment.

Monica Shah Zeeman, Founder of Children First, believes in nurturing the whole child — emotionally, socially, and academically. Nature walks are a wonderful way to spark curiosity, creativity, and confidence, while spending quality family time outdoors.

1. Make a Rock Path

Collect stones along the Zurichsee lakeshore, or in parks like Belvoir or Platzspitz, and line them up from small to large. Talk about textures — rough, smooth, jagged, or soft. Hop from stone to stone or create a slalom course. This builds gross motor skills, balance, and observation.

2. Equip Your Kids to Be Hikers

Explore trails in Zürichberg, Irchel Park, or Uetliberg foothills. Notice the ground: is it slippery, bumpy, or firm? Talk about how shoes help your child stay safe. This develops coordination, confidence, and risk-assessment skills.

3. Painted Stone Traditions (Steinbemalen)

In Zurich, families love leaving painted stones in parks, along the lake, or forest paths. Children can paint a stone, hide it, or move one they find, blending creativity, outdoor play, and community connection.

4. Get in Touch with the Seasons

Observe how leaves change color in Belvoir Park, notice fallen seeds in Zürichberg forests, or spot chestnuts along Zurichsee paths. Ask your child: “How can we tell it’s spring or autumn?” This develops curiosity, observation skills, and awareness of nature.

5. Nature Scavenger Hunt

Create a scavenger hunt for items like pinecones, feathers, or leaves along Irchel Park, Zürichberg, or Enge playgrounds. Discovery boosts focus, curiosity, and problem-solving. Seasonal themes make it even more engaging.

6. Sound Safari

Pause in Belvoir Park, near Zoo Zürich, or along the lake promenade. Listen for birds, rustling leaves, or flowing water. Identify each sound. This builds auditory skills, mindfulness, and environmental awareness.

7. Cloud Watching and Sky Stories

Lie on the grass in Zurichsee parks, Arboretum, or Irchel Park. Notice clouds, sunlight, or changing weather. Imagine shapes or create stories. This activity develops imagination, storytelling, and observational skills.

8. Collect and Categorize

Collect stones, leaves, or seeds along local trails or playgrounds. Sort them by color, size, or shape. Children learn early math concepts, critical thinking, and organization skills while exploring nature hands-on.

9. Create a Nature “Memory Game”

Collect a few natural items, show them to your child, then hide some. Ask them to recall what they saw. This develops memory, attention, and focus, while making the walk interactive and fun.

10. Seasonal Berry and Nut Hunt (Observation Only)

Go on a seasonal berry hunt near Zurich and make it a fun outdoor adventure for the whole family! For strawberries, we love Sunnehof Farm in Mettmenstetten, about 25 minutes from Zurich city center, just a simple farm with no extras for kids, but the berries are delicious. For blueberries, Jucker Farm in Seegräben is a full-day experience with playgrounds, farm animals, hammocks, a restaurant, and even a swimming lake and you can taste berries while in the field. You can also explore other “pick your own” farms near Zurich, like Bonstetten, Dübendorf, or Riedenholzhof. While picking, encourage kids to observe the shapes, colors, and textures of berries, chestnuts, and acorns along lakefront trails, Irchel Park, or Zürichberg — a perfect way to develop awareness, patience, and sensory skills. (Always confirm safety before eating any wild berries.)

Why are outdoor walks in Zurich so special at Children First?

Nature walks in Zurich, from the lakeshore to city parks, forests, and playgrounds are more than exercise — they are an opportunity for holistic learning, family bonding, and outdoor exploration. Monica Shah Zeeman and the Children First team encourage parents to embrace these activities, which complement the bilingual and whole-child education offered at Children First Nursery, Pre-School & Kindergarten.

Exploring nature together helps children develop curiosity, confidence, emotional awareness, and a love for learning, essential skills for life. Whether you are a local or part of Zurich’s international community, these activities provide fun, creative, and educational experiences for your family.

-Monica Shah Zeeman and the Children First Staff Team