Here are 50 simple outdoor activities for kids to get them outside without breaking the bank. We don’t need to entertain our kids 24/7 and outdoor activities for kids don’t have to be elaborate. Browse the list of fun things to do outside with your kids and have fun. Don’t see your favorite outside activity? Leave a comment and share what you love to do outside with your kids.
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Click on the links to be taken to specific instructions for the outdoor activities or just get inspired!
- Paint like Monet. <— have you ever painted outside? This is a fun outdoor activity for the whole family.
- Go on a bug hunt. – They don’t have to be real bugs if you don’t want them to be.
- Run through a sprinkler
.
- Melt some crayons in the sun. Got a heatwave? This is the activity for you.
- Play in a sandbox
.
- Investigate your yard with a magnifying glass.
- Paint some rocks with watercolors
.
- Wash the paint away with the hose.
- Hunt for “dinosaur” bones.
- Play with a hose.
- Play Angry Birds (with water balloons).
- Hose down some chalk letters and shapes.
- Ride a bike or scooter around the block.
- Plant something (anything) in the garden.
- Mix some colors with water balloons.
- Play with a water table
or make your own.
- Climb up a tree, a wall or a jungle gym.
- Make some bird feeders and feed some birds.
- Have a backyard toy car wash.
- Wash a real car.
- Go on a nature scavenger hunt.
- Have a family meal outside.
- Dig in the dirt.
- Jump in puddles.
- Have a soccer shoot out all you need is a ball big enough to kick.
- Paint with a fly swatter.
- Pick some apples and have an impromptu snack under the trees.
- Make a nature collage.
- Take a dog for a walk.
- Put down some painter’s plastic, grab a hose and have a homemade slip and slide!
- Make a stepping stone for your garden.
- Catch and release some frogs.
- Go for a hike.
- Color the patio with sidewalk chalk
.
- Play catch with a ball (or water balloons on a hot day).
- Paint like Jackson Pollock.
- Take some books outside and read under a tree.
- Go on a photo scavenger hunt.
- Spray paint.
- Graffiti the driveway.
- Stack and balance rocks.
- Have an ice cream taste test.
- Go on a sound safari.
- Find, sort and make a leaf scrapbook.
- Make a treasure map and find treasure.
- Host the mini Olympics.
- Explore shells, crabs, and rocks at the beach.
- Make mud pies.
- Pick Flowers and paint with them.
- Find shapes in the clouds.
Like our 75 TV Free Activities for Toddlers, the majority of these pictures were taken from my iPhone because most of these are just simple everyday things we did and you can do without too much planning or cost. Of course, I have a few of our favorite more elaborate activities too, but nothing will break the bank.
Pete says
Paint the pavement with water and watch it evaporate.
We also have a little water tablets got a lot of use this summer. The two year old likes to take the opportunity to make mud with the water, then strip off and cover finself in it. That’s normal, right?
admin says
completely!
Doreen says
Totally!! He is showing you his artistic side!! Lol. 😉
April Bayza says
That is an asome idea I will take my 3 year old outside and we will do those things
Annonymous says
I was looking for ideas 🙂
Kelly says
I love so many of these ideas! I have 4 young kids so need a variety of simple activities we can do together or independently. I don’t have time, supplies or extra hands to build “easy” playhouses or “upcycled” sand boxes which is the complexity level of many activity idea lists these days… thank you for creating a list that got my own memories and creativity flowing 🙂
Gilbert says
Thanks so much for this list! Really great ideas. I have bookmarked it for the next time my kids complain that they are bored.
Lee Jacky says
Awesome ideas to even give to our nannies! Thank you!!
Pete says
Great list by the way. Thanks.
Kim @ The Educators Spin On It says
Thanks for reminding us of all the fun things there are outdoors. We like to go on Bird Watches and Hunt for Seasons and just PLAY in the backyard! Great list to think of when it’s spring break and want to do something. http://theeducatorsspinonit.blogspot.com/2012/01/afterschool-express-outside-play.html
Brandy says
Flashlight tag!!
kearsten says
Umm, I think that is 49. Run through the sprinkler is on there twice. 😉
Good list, though.
admin says
Oh my gosh I missed it and apparently so did everyone else – thank you I edited it !
Liga Krista says
Geocaching!
Sleeping Mom says
Thanks so much for these ideas! Now that it’s starting to warm up, I really have no excuse to stay indoors.
Teri Lucara says
winter activities???
admin says
These are warm weather activities – but many could be done year round weather permitting.
Liz - The HomeStyle says
Thanks so much for this list! Really great ideas. I have bookmarked it for the next time my kids complain that they are bored. 🙂
melissa says
I love these ideas..I have a daycare in my home and these will be great for getting the kids out and exploring!
Vanessa says
Is your top picture first beach in la push, wa?
admin says
Yes yes it is!
Ann Marie says
You must be up north. While I would love to have my kid do most of these activities, here in Texas it gets dangerously hot (100+ degrees) and we are unable to spend a lot of time outside. 🙁
admin says
Ann Marie – we are, these would be great for Spring or late fall in Texas . Half our family is in Texas and there is a reason they visit us in the summer and we visit them in the winter. You have inspired me though perhaps I should piece together a fun list of things to do in the air conditioning!
Ann Marie says
Yes, these would definitely be great in the spring or fall. For summer we could do the water activities to help cool off, though. I love the Angry Birds water balloons idea and already I’m thinking of ways to build a big slingshot! 🙂 I also like the artwork ideas as well so I can teach my kid about artists like Monet and Pollock.
Jo says
LOVE your website! Thank you for all the wonderful ideas
admin says
Thank you !!
Megan says
I love your website. I am a former teacher, now stay at home mom and childcare provider. I have seen many websites, and this one is easy to navigate and full of fun, simple ideas that all children should be afforded the opportunity to experience in their childhood. It’s now a favorite I know I will reference many times over. Thank you and keep on this great path.
Daniela says
Awesome ideas to even give to our nannies! Thank you!! @aznannies
Outdoor activities for kids says
Hi, I enjoyed reading through your post, also love the images used. Outdoor activities are becoming rare now, especially kids are now spending more of their time with TV or computer video games. This is really an alarming situation for parents. Now it’s a huge responsibility for every parent to find creative ideas to engage their kids in some sort of fun outdoor activities, and you are providing a great help in this regard.
Thanks for the great ideas:)
Kirsten Vroombout says
Really one of the best sites for newbies to Seattle with kids. Lovely work red trike.Fun Outdoor Games and Outdoor Activities. … Games and Activities for kids … The best game ideas, resources and activities for birthday parties, picnics, youth
Erika says
Did the nature collage ! Its was great, easy and fun !! thanks for this 🙂
Orisi B says
Simply excellent!
Thanks for sharing!
anabel says
I dont think these r fun activities
Allison McDonald says
What would you put on the list ?
Beth Bartow says
if you ask me, Tennis should be there too.
Leslie says
A fun, varied list! Entertaining my niece got much easier–thanks!
Kathleen Straube says
Great list! One of the activities I did with my 4 grandkids last summer at our beach house was beach sandcastings (complete kits are available at beachandnatureco.com). It was easy, fun and inexpensive and we ended up with some marvelous keepsakes of our day together.
Jen says
Hang a sheet or three on a clothesline in your yard. Watch your kids run amok and invent games. For a fun reminder of your summer, use a plain white cotton table cloth. Fill a few small spray bottles with liquid fabric dye. Hand bottles to kids. Let them spray and make handprints then use your tablecloth in the chilly snow and rain as a reminder of sunny times to come.
Nichola Rudd says
Thanks for a great list – I have added a link to the list from my website. Please check it out if you have time! http://www.educationnotjust9until3.com
I especially like the combination of activities from technological devices (such as Angry Birds) to the concrete – wonderful ideas and motivating both parents and children to get outside!
Natalie says
what a fantastic list. there were a few things on there I had never heard of doing before but that make so much sense.
http://theactivefamily.net/index.html
Dana says
Love this list – mostly for myself but will use my kids as an excuse 😉 thanks for sharing!
Bethany says
Thank you for the fabulous list – you’ve offered a great variety of activities that cater to any interest level! The weather is just starting to warm up here in AB, and my two year old son and I are anxious to get outdoors and explore! Will definitely be using this as a reference throughout the season.
Eva says
Run up a grassy hill and down as fast as you can! Thanks for the inspiration!
karlee says
hi not really good not much things for big kids to do
Candi says
As a former teacher, I have some ideas to keep kids entertained indoors. Make paper helicopters from folding the paper in half. Then cut the top half in half perpendicular to the fold lines, stopping at the fold. Next, cut on the top folded line one third of the way on each side. Fold each third of the top in half to make two helicopter blades. Bend these in opposite directions. Cut the lower fold one third of the way on each side. Fold each third to make the middle piece. Finally, fold the bottom piece up at the tip to give the helicopter some weight at the bottom. Drop the copter from a second floor railing and watch it twirl. Making the blades wider or different lengths, varies the speed of the drop. Kids get excited over this activity.
Nelz says
Thanks for this. No matter how common sense some seem, it is sometimes just so hard for a single dad of twin 2-year old girls to REMEMBER or take the time to just get out and do creative things. I especially like the “eat dinner outside, and read books under a tree” ideas. well, yeah. I do it as an adult. Why not with my girls!? Thanks again.
betsabe says
We play with the hose
Sharon says
Throw out 500 pennies in the grass and have a penny hunt! kids get to keep all the pennies they find……..we do this every year at our annual summer fundraiser and it keeps the kids busy for quite a while! We end up finding stray pennies the rest of the summer….they don’t interfere with the mower, however, because they sink in the grass
Artemis2318 says
Urgh. I miss my childhood days. I remember making several paper boats and let them row into the stream near our hose. Now, I dont see children doing this anymore. Most of them are more interested in technology and most are holding their own tablets or smartphones.
alien rocket copter says
I just love these awesome ideas. Thanks for sharing it. I would definitely try out these with my kids.
Seema Mehta says
With kids it is not as complicated as it is with us adults. They are happy and content with less! The activities mentioned in this post are extremely fun for children and kids and I believe that too! I will encourage my kids to do these. Great post for all parents.
Baby Nursery Rhymes says
I truly like to reading your post. Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a great stuff.
Ashwin says
Wonderful ideas for parents to make their kids happy in the outdoors.
Marria says
wow! so clever though. a simple way for kids fun. I just love this idea. Such a creative thought. kids must love this idea. Thanks for such a good idea to share with us.
Marria says
Amazing idea. Kids love to play in outdoor. I like this outdoor activities for kids. hot summer kids must like it. I feel relax and comfortable to play in outdoor.
Marria says
Amazing! It is the really great idea to make outdoor more fun for kids. It will help kids physical and mental growth. Thanks for such a nice thought.
Nakisha William says
thanks for the excellent lists.
Mka Hredoy says
Quality and resourceful article. thanks for sharing
Lynda says
Wow! I think I am only about a quarter of the way through the article, and although I am not normally one to comment, I just had to stop and say thank you! I know my boys and I will love so many of these ideas, especially as winter is here for us now. Thank you for such a comprehensive and inspiring list!
Lindsay N says
Love #19
Putting that in my back pocket for when I need something creative! We got into the water balloons this summer and an inflatable water slide too! Kept them outside and busy for hours!
Wikivela says
On no 42 the Ice cream test is amazing i’ll try that too 😀 btw Amazing list thank you so much. kids don’t usually play outside now a days but i hope they try these activities and play more outside. and one question.. Do kids under 7 year old get depressed ??
Steven says
Excellent list. Thanks a lot for sharing!
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Joshua Thomas says
What wonderful tips! I just found your blog. I love your activity! Great idea with great stuff! Thanks for sharing.
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Carson Abbe says
Thank you for the fabulous list…
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Joshan says
Wow!!! Awesome Idea to make outdoor fun for kids. I just love these awesome ideas. Thanks for sharing it. It will help them to boost their mental & physical growth. As its very hard for parents to take the time & go out to do creative things. Thanks again.
ACHEN says
Its very nice blog. Thanks for sharing such great information for me. I hope you will share some more information about 50 simple outdoor activities for kids Please keep sharing!
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Eliza Ballot says
Such a great informative blog related to outdoor activities for the kids in today’s internet world. I love to play games like ultimate frisbee, disc golf, cornhole game, Washers game as these games do not require much physical strength and some of the best games to play with family & friends. Also, the best part is, it does not require many accessories and easy to bring them anywhere.
Kiera says
Every parent should consider those tips. Thanks a lot for such good advice.
Bamdad Sky says
Outdoor games is very impotent for every kids. Its help to improve their health and do mentally strong. Your article really helpful for every parents. By the way Great list. Thanks.
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Fakrul Islam says
I have a trampoline and my kids really love it. Then I tried to do some research to see if there is any health benefits of jumping on a trampoline. And found out that it’s very good exercise, even better than just running. You can make it even more enjoyable by adding balls or any game like “Birds in the nest”. Here are some more ideas: https://thinkindoor.com/fun-games-to-play-on-a-trampoline/
Angela says
Hey!!
It’s Amazing! It is the really great idea to make outdoor more fun for kids. It will help kids physical and mental growth. Thanks for such a nice thought.
John says
You Missed one though. They can play with rc toys like rc car, truck, crawler etc. Here are the benefits of them for children https://thercvalleys.com/benefits-of-using-rc-toys/
Joseph Natividad says
Good Content. these activities for kids is fun and also helps in child development. kudos to you!
Andrea says
This is fantastic and awesome article. I appreciate this post.
Beth Bartow says
In Outdoor activities playing tennis is the best thing todo, because playing tennis has many physical & mental benefits for everyone, when ever we go for picnic or just for enjoying outside beauty, i always take sports equipment’s for my kids too.
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Celebrating Kids birthday outdoor is great for them and it will give the best memory for all.. Kids Birthday Decoration
Prachar says
Such a wonderful, thoughtful tips for engaging children.
Amir says
Those 50 ideas was great! It will help to make outside fun. Thanks for this!
Dave Schreiter says
I so much enjoyed reading your articles. I love your awesome idea. My two kids would love this so much. I can’t wait for the next summer.
Jatinder kumar says
hi i want to say that this blog isawesome and very well writen . I am saying that as a teacher .
Jessica says
I can’t recommend trampoline time enough! It’s the number one thing that wears my kids out before bedtime!
artelixir says
very nice