Catch the Breeze with Our Windy Day Playlist: 21 Windy Weather Play Ideas

Leaves dancing across the ground, trees swaying overhead, clouds racing across the sky – while adults often see a windy day forecast as a reason to bunker down indoors, children see endless possibilities for play! 

The wind invites children to run, chase, experiment and wonder, turning scarves into streamers and simple paper bag kites into exciting flying machines. Every gust creates new opportunities to observe cause and effect, solve problems and engage all of the senses.

Spending time outdoors in a variety of weather conditions helps children become more adaptable and confident while strengthening their connection with the natural world. Windy days in particular encourage children to notice the invisible forces shaping their environment, fostering curiosity, scientific thinking and imaginative play.

Following the Wind Through the Noongar Seasons

Across Western Australia, weather can vary greatly from one region to another, even at the same time of year. On Noongar Country, the changing wind is one of many clues that the seasons are shifting.

From the blustery days of Djilba (around August and September) to the cooling afternoon sea breezes of Kambarang (typically October and November) and Birak (around December and January), children can experience how the wind changes throughout the year. Watching trees sway, leaves dance, clouds race across the sky and birds soar on the breeze encourages careful observation and a deeper connection with Country.

Tips for Being Prepared for Windy Weather Play

With just a little preparation, a breezy day can become one of the most memorable times to head outdoors. Here are our top tips making the most of windy weather days:

• Dress children in warm layers, choosing play clothes that are safe to get messy. 
• On cold, windy days, try a beanie or ear-covering headband to help children keep warm. 
• Shorten outdoor play sessions if children begin to feel uncomfortable in windy conditions. 

Additionally, in childcare and school settings:

• Share outdoor supervision during windy weather by rotating educators, ensuring everyone takes an equal turn. 
• Set up some of your programmed physical activities in sheltered outdoor areas. 
• Include playful activities that foster curiosity about the wind from our playlist below.

Catch the Breeze with Our Windy Day Playlist

Our collection of 21 windy weather play ideas will help children embrace the breeze and discover just how much fun nature can be when the wind joins in.

1. Blow bubbles and try to catch them as they float away or invite the wind to blow the bubbles for you! Simply dip the wand into the solution and then hold it up and watch what happens.

2. Try to make a leaf kite by tying leaves you have collected onto a piece of wool or string. Attach your string to a stick and run with it. 
3. Find a spot to sit still. Close your eyes and try to work out which way the wind is blowing. 
4. Climb a hill and then roll down it. Run up the hill and roll down again! 
5. Put on a cape and pretend to fly. 
6. Fold a paper aeroplane and fly it in the wind outside. 
7. Lay somewhere comfortable and watch the clouds move across the sky. Pick two clouds and watch them race. 
8. Find some tapping stones or sticks and make music outdoors. 
9. Spin around until you make yourself dizzy. 
10. Run with a ribbon or streamer and watch it flutter in the breeze. 

11. Go outside into the wind and pretend it is blowing you all around. 
12. Lie back on a cloudy day to watch the clouds move and change shape. Try to make up a story about the shapes you can see in the clouds. 
13. Try spotting five different things moving in the blowing wind.  
14. Go on a listening walk. What sounds can you hear? Maybe you can hear birds calling, water trickling or the wind whooshing! 
15. Mix a little food colouring with bubble mix and blow bubbles onto paper to make a colourful bubble painting. 
16. Collect a pile of fallen leaves, throw them into the air and watch what happens. 
17. Go wave watching. Look for the white horses – the white tips on the top of the waves. 
18. Find a pinecone, gumnut or interesting seedpod and see if you can make it roll along the ground. 
19. Make up a song about the wind and sing it into the wind. 
20. Go for a run in the wind. How does it feel when you run into the wind? Does it feel different when you run with the wind?  
21. Try finding a place in nature or making a cubby where you can shelter from the wind.