Nowadays, kids have been very much occupied by technology. They tend to spend most of their time playing on their gadgets; thus, missing the fun outdoors and sacrificing quality time with other family members. Why not make it a habit to organize an outdoor activity every weekend to boost their energy? You can also invite their friends to make the activities more fun and exciting. We’ve listed outdoor activities that you can try.
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1. Bug Hunt
Before going out, give your kids a paper and a marker and ask them to draw the bugs they commonly see. They don’t need to catch the bugs. Let them mark their papers every time they saw a bug listed on the paper. Kids have learned science and mathematics at the same time.
Find more ideas about bug hunt with these relevant resources.
- ‘Bug Hunt’ Is a Scavenger Game That Teaches Kids About Nature: The post discusses the importance of exposing kids to bugs. It provides details on how to play bug hunt.
- Bug Hunting: The post provides tips on how to search, capture, and care for bugs. It includes a complete list of the materials needed and directions.
- Top tips for a brilliant bug hunt: The post provides advice on how to look for bugs. It also lists the common types of bugs to look out for.
2. Investigate Your Yard With a Magnifying Glass
Let your kids explore the backyard and find out what they will discover. You can give them a paper and pen so they can record all the things they found. However, that would be a hassle in their wandering. Why not let them tell you what they saw over snack time or a mini-picnic at the backyard that you can prepare while they roam around? You will be amazed to see how excited your kids are.
Learn more about the importance of magnifying glass in kids’ learning and development.
- Observe and Learn! How a Magnifying Glass Builds Kids’ Science Skills: The post discusses the importance of letting the kids explore their surroundings using a magnifying glass. Magnifying glasses allows kids to see things they’ve never seen before.
- Magnifying Glass Discovery Tray: The post offers information on how to make your own magnifying glass discovery tray.
3. Nature Scavenger Hunt
You can never go wrong in organizing a scavenger hunt. Kids are more excited to gather all the things that you’ve listed and won over their siblings or friends. You can list down 10-15 items that they can find around the neighborhood or at the park or somewhere except for your house.
Find out more nature scavenger hunt ideas with these relevant resources.
- Easy Outdoor Scavenger Hunt for Young Kids: The post provides information on the nature scavenger hunt that she had with her kids.
- Nature treasure hunt (free printable) and pretty mobile how-to: The post offers tips on how to organize a nature treasure hunt. It also provides tips on what to do with the collected items.
4. Nature Collage
Give your kids one grocery bag each, this is where they will put their collections. You can choose to explore the park or forest near you. Tell them to gather anything they find interesting (twigs, leaves, rocks, etc.) except for animals. Once done, you can head home and let them choose 5-8 things from their treasure. You can draw a big acorn and give one each. This is where they will paste their collection. Let them explore and design their own collage. You can display it on the living room if you want.
Here are relevant resources that you can check to get more ideas about nature collage.
- Nature Collage: Ideas for Preschool Children: The post offers information on the different types of collage that your kids can create from the items they’ve gathered from the nature.
- Nature Collage Craft: The post provides a detailed nature collage activity using leaves, flowers, twigs, and other items from nature.
- Natural Art for Children – Nature Collage: The post shares their family’s nature adventure at Curly Forest and shows the nature collage created by her kids.
5. Photo Scavenger Hunt
Give your kids a camera or your phone. Ask them to take a photo of everything they see in the backyard. You may discover that your kids are photographers in the making. Print what they’ve captured and compile it in a scrapbook or photo album.
Find out more fun ways to organize your photo scavenger hunt for your kids with these relevant resources.
- Tips for Creating a Fun Photo Scavenger Hunt for Kids: The post provides tips and details on how to conduct a successful photo scavenger hunt for your kids.
- 10 Photo Scavenger Hunts To Keep Kids Entertained: The post offers 10 adventurous photo scavenger hunt ideas that your kids will surely love. It cite examples that you can include on your list.
- How to Have an Outdoor Photo Scavenger Hunt With Your Kids: The post offers details on how to plan and organize an outdoor photo scavenger hunt.
6. Leaf Scrapbook
Ask your kids find 10 or more different leaves, dried ones as much as possible. Once done collecting, let them design their own scrapbook of leaves. Feel free to give them simple trivia about each leaves like the tree where they belong.
More leaf scrapbook ideas from this relevant resource.
- Autumn Leaves Scrapbook: The post provides step-by-step in creating an autumn leaves scrapbook.
Physical Actitivities
7. Field Hockey
You simply need a pool noodle, balloons, and a laundry basket. The pool noodle will serve as the stick that will move the balloons while the laundry basket will be the goal.
Learn more about field hockey from these resources.
- Field hockey facts for kids: The post offers information on the basics of field hockey.
- 5 Important Skills for Field Hockey Beginners: The post discusses the five important skills required for field hockey beginners.
8. Obstacle Course
Test your kids’ skills by putting up a DIY obstacle course using the available materials at your house. You can use boxes, hula hoops, jump ropes, chairs, etc. you don’t have to spend extra penny.
Watch this video to get an idea on how to set-up your own DIY obstacle course in your background.
9. Mini Golf Course
You can either turn your garage or backyard into a mini-golf course. What you will need are pool noodles, ropes, and cardboard boxes to set-up the course.
Read How to Build a Miniature Golf Course and learn how to build a mini-golf course in your background.
10. Driveway Toy Car Race
You can draw lines on the floor as the driveway, with the start and finish lines. Let your kids grab their favorite toy car and let the race begins.
To make the race more exciting, you can find an area around the neighborhood where you can set the race. Watch this video and be inspired to start racing with your kids.
11. Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest
Slice the watermelon and spice up the weekend with a friendly competition. Challenge the whole family to see who can hold the record of spitting the farthest watermelon seed.
- Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest a Fun Outdoor Summer Picnic Game for Kids of All Ages: The post provides tips on how to make watermelon seed spitting contest more fun for kids.
- Watermelon seed spitting contest: The post shares how her kids enjoyed playing watermelon seed spitting contest.
12. Ball Park Time
You can check if there’s a ball game happening on weekends. This will be a good way to bond over the weekend. You can teach your little ones about the basic of the game.
- The Ultimate Guide to Taking Kids to A Baseball Game: The post offers tips on how to successfully take your kids to a baseball game.
13. Mini-Olympics
You can invite some of the closest friends of your kids and be part of a friendly mini-Olympics. You can include the favorite games of your kids and those that you don’t have to spend extra.
- Holding Your Own Olympic Games: The post offers information on how to conduct a successful Olympic games for kids.
- How To Host An Olympic Games Theme Day: The post provides 50+ ideas on hosting an Olympic games.
14. Balloon Volleyball
Divide your yard into two using a jump rope (or any kind of rope that is available). Use a balloon instead of a normal volleyball ball. You can follow the standard rule for volleyball. The first team to score 21 will be the winner.
Check out this video to give you an idea about balloon volleyball.
Water Activities
15. Water War
Fill up the water guns and balloons and get ready to get wet. Brace yourself to a water war.
- Water War: The post provides details on how to conduct a water war in your background.
- Water War: The post offers ideas on the materials needed and how to play water war.
16. Paper Boat Race
Teach your kids how to make paper boats. Fill the kiddie pool with water and race by blowing the boats using a straw.
Check out this video and learn how to make your own paper boat.
17. Squeeze the Sponge Relay
You will be needing two buckets for each of your kids, one filled with water and one empty. Give each of the kids one sponge. Place the bucket filled with water on the starting line while the empty bucket on the other end. The objective of the game is to transfer the water from one bucket to another bucket using the sponge. Whoever finished first is the winner.
More squeeze the sponge relay information from these resources.
- Sponge Relay: The post provides instruction on how to play sponge relay.
- Sponge Relay: The post offers materials needed and directions on how to play the game.
18. Water Balloon Dodge
Instead of using an ordinary ball, use balloons filled with water as a dodge ball. Follow the usual rule for playing dodge ball. Make sure to avoid the balloons if you wanna stay dry. Remember: don’t aim for the face.
Check this resource and learn more about water balloon dodgeball.
- Water Balloon Dodgeball – Youth Group Games: The post offers information on how to play the game, from materials needed to preparation and rules.
19. Water Balloon Piñata
Fill balloons with water then tie them up and string along a clothesline or between two trees. Let the kids strike the balloons using a stick.
Here are some other ways on how to play water balloon piñata.
- Water Balloon Piñatas: The post provides information on the step-by-step preparation for the game. It also include images.
- WATER BALLOON PINATA: The post offers information on the items needed for the water balloon pinata and rules on how to play it.
20. DIY Slip and Slide
You can have a homemade slip and slide using some painter’s plastic. Lay the plastic and grab a hose. Your kids can enjoy this instant slip and slide.
Learn how to create your own DIY slip and slide using painter’s plastic. Kids will surely love splashing and sliding on it.
Nature Trip
21. A Day at the Park
Instead of visiting and staying in a single park, grab a map and look for the nearby parks. Visit different parks as many as you could then vote which one is your favorite. This will boost your kids’ awareness on the importance of preserving the gift of nature.
22. Nature Walk
Ask your kids to go for walk around the neighborhood, at the park, or a forest near you. To make it extra fun, you can play take a heads or a tails road trip. You will toss a coin every time you get to an intersection. If it’s a head, you will go right and if it’s a tail, you will go left.
- Earth Day Nature Walk Ideas for Kids: The post provides seven simple ideas that you can incorporate on your nature walk with your kids.
- Family Nature Walk Tips and Activities: The post offers tips, activities, and things to look for while exploring mother nature with the family.
- 16 Nature Walk Activities for Kids: The post lists 16 activities that you and your kids can do on a nature walk.
23. Farmer’s Market Visit
Farmers markets offer fresh fruits, vegetables, and products that are directly from local growers, farmers, and producers. It will be a great opportunity for the kids to learn more about nutrition and encourage them to eat healthy. Some local markets, farms and orchards organize activities for their guests so your kids will be totally entertained. Allow them also to pick the items they want.
Discover more ways on how to make your farmers visit with the little ones more memorable and fun.
- Visiting the Farmers Market With Kids: The post discusses five benefits that your kids will gain from spending time at a Farmers market.
- 6 Ways to Create Farmers’ Market Fun with Kids: The post provides six ways to make your market trips more enjoyable for the kids.
- Things you can teach your kids at the farmers market: The post offers information on the few lessons that you can teach your kids while visiting a farmers market. It also include tips when for your farmers market trip.
24. Go for a Hike
Why not check the weather and see if the weekend promises a good one? Look for the nearest trail that you and your family can explore. Going for a hike once in a while is good for the body and the mind.
Hiking with the kids is a bit challenging because you need to ensure their safety and they are having fun. Read these relevant resources and find the best tips you can use when planning a hike.
- 11 tips for day hiking with young children: The post lists 11 tips on how to achieve whine-free hiking.
- Take your kids hiking: 10 tips to make the adventure fun for the whole family: The post offer tips on how to plan a successful hike with the family.
25. Picnic at the Park
Prepare your picnic basket and mat and take the whole family to a state or national park. Kids will surely enjoy being with the nature for a day. Teach your kids how to be socially responsible so the next generation can still enjoy being with the nature. It is a perfect get away from everybody’s busy schedule and catch up.
- Picnic Food Kids Will Love: Pack A Safe & Healthy Basket: The post provides menu suggestions and food safety tips that are ideal for a picnic in the park.
- Pack Up a Picnic: Kid-Friendly Ideas: The post offers fun ideas for a picnic in the park including what to eat, pack, and do.
Art Activities
26. Crayon Melt
Is the sun up and is burning hot? Prepare an aluminum foil, cookie cutter, and paper plate. Cover the paper plate with the aluminum foil, then ask your kids to gather all their old crayons. Peel the crayons and break it into small pieces. Look for a sunny area and place the paper plate with the cookie cutter then add the broken crayons. It will take an hour or more before the crayons are melted. Once melted, let it cool, and remove them from the cookie cutter. Your newly formed crayons are ready to use.
Watch the video and learn how to melt crayons using a blank canvass.
27. Paint Outside
When did you last painted the outside part of the house? Why not consider re-painting it with the whole family instead of hiring someone to do it? This will be a certified fun outdoor activity for everyone.
28. Rock Painting
Gather some rocks around the neighborhood or at your backyard with your kids. Lay all the rocks you’ve found and start a rock painting challenge. You will need watercolors and paintbrush. Let the kids paint the rocks the way they wanted it. This will surely boost their crafty side.
Find more ideas on how you can paint the rocks.
- Over 40 of the BEST Rock Painting Ideas: The post shares images of more than 40 best rock painting ideas. You can’t even tell that those are rocks.
- 29+ Easy Rock Painting Ideas for Beginners: The post provides more than 20 easy rock painting ideas. The rock designs are simple and easy that beginners can follow along.
- 15 Easy Rock Painting Ideas that Are Beautiful: The post offers 15 awesome rock painting ideas that kids will surely love to try.
29. Patio Coloring
Another way to encourage your kid’s crafty side is by asking them to color the patio using sidewalk chalk. Discover how they will creatively match the colors and turn your plain patio into a colorful one.
Check out Make Sidewalk Chalk Paint for Outdoor Fun and learn fun ways to color your patio.
30. Body Painting
Let your kids mix and match washable tempera paints. Ask them to paint their bodies and other members of the family. They can wash it off with a sprinkler afterwards or you can plan for a water activity for them.
Backyard Activities
31. Plant a Garden
Gardening is one of the best ways to teach your kids how to grow their own food. This will also develop their sense of responsibility since they need to ensure that they will harvest something in the end.
Check out these relevant resources to properly guide in gardening with kids.
- Gardening for Children: The post provides tips on how to get your kids into gardening. It lists the benefits of gardening to kids.
- Gardening With Kids: The post offers information on gardening as well as kid-friendly gardening tips.
32. Read a Book Under the Tree
Gather all their favorite books and set-up a mat under the tree. Encourage them to read the books and ask them to tell you what the book is all about over dinner.
33. Have a Dinner Outside
Make it a habit to eat outside from time to time, especially if the weather permits. You can ask your kids to help you grill the barbecue and/or hotdog. Everyone will definitely love the ambiance of dining outside.
34. Stargazing
After dinner, spread out a blanket and look for constellations and recognizable group of stars. Each one will have turns in challenging everybody to find a heart-shaped group of stars and the likes.
Be guided with these relevant resources on stargazing.
- Stargazing with Kids: The post provides tips on how to plan for a stargazing with the family.
- How to Start Stargazing With Your Kids: The post offers tips on how to set-up stargazing activity for the whole family.
35. Camp Out
Continue the backyard fun by camping out. The whole family will surely love spending the night outside the house. You can also set-up a bonfire so everyone can roast hotdogs and marshmallows.
Check out these tips to ensure that your kids will enjoy.
- 7 Ideas to Go Backyard Camping: The post lists seven ideas for a memorable and enjoyable backyard camping.
- 25 Backyard Camping Ideas That’ll Make You Feel Like You’re in the Great Outdoors: The post provides 25 tips on how to make your backyard camping feel like you are in the great outdoors.
Nothing beats a day well-spent with the family. Make it a point to encourage your kids to drop their gadgets and have fun outside. Young children best learn through experiences so allow them to explore and discover things.
