14 Fun Ways to Enjoy the Outdoors with Your Kids

Games

Games are a great way to get your kids moving, laughing, and learning. They can also help them develop skills such as coordination, teamwork, strategy, and problem-solving. Here are some classic and fun games that you can play outside with your kids:

1. Tag

This is a simple and timeless game that any number of kids can play. One person is “it” and has to chase and tag the others. The person who is tagged becomes the new “it,” and the game continues until everyone has been “it” or until you decide to stop. You can also add some variations to make it more interesting, such as freeze tag, shadow tag, or flashlight tag.

2. Hide and Seek

Another classic game that any number of kids can play. One person is the “seeker” and has to count to a certain number while the others hide. The seeker then has to find and tag the hiders. The first person who is found becomes the new seeker, and the game continues until everyone has been found or until you decide to stop. You can also add some variations to make it more challenging, such as sardines, where the hiders join the first person who is found and hide together, or blindfolded hide and seek, where the seeker wears a blindfold and has to use their other senses to find the hiders.

3. Red Light, Green Light

This is a fun game that can help your kids practice their listening and self-control skills. One person is the “traffic light” and stands at a distance from the others. The traffic light calls out “green light,” and the others have to run towards them. When the traffic light calls out “red light,” the others must stop and freeze. Anyone who moves after the red light is out and has to go back to the starting line. The first person who reaches the traffic light wins and becomes the new traffic light.

4. Simon Says

This is another fun game that can help your kids practice their listening and following directions skills. One person is “Simon” and gives commands to the others, such as “Simon says touch your nose” or “Simon says hop on one foot.”. The others have to do what Simon says, but only if the command starts with “Simon says.”. If Simon gives a command without saying “Simon says,” the others have to ignore it. Anyone who does the wrong command or does not do the right command is out. The last person who is still in the game wins and becomes the new Simon.

5. Obstacle Course

This is a creative and exciting game that can help your kids develop their physical and mental skills. You can set up an obstacle course in your backyard, park, or playground using whatever materials you have, such as cones, ropes, hula hoops, boxes, chairs, etc. You can make the course as easy or as hard as you want, depending on the age and ability of your kids. You can also add some rules or challenges, such as completing the course in a certain time, doing a specific action at each obstacle, or wearing a funny costume. You can have your kids compete individually or in teams, or just have fun trying out different courses.

Arts and Crafts

Arts and crafts are a wonderful way to get your kids to express their creativity and imagination. They can also help them develop their fine motor, sensory, and cognitive skills. Here are some easy and fun arts-and-crafts activities that you can do outside with your kids:

6. Collect and Paint Rocks

This is a simple and enjoyable activity that can keep your kids busy for a long time. Your kids can find rocks of different shapes and sizes and then paint them with whatever colors and designs they want. You can use acrylic paints, watercolors, markers, or even nail polish. You can also use some brushes, sponges, stamps, or stickers to add some texture and variety. You can let your kids paint whatever they want or give them some themes or ideas, such as animals, flowers, faces, letters, etc. You can also use the painted rocks to make some crafts, such as magnets, paperweights, ornaments, or jewelry.

7. Make a Nature Collage

This is a fun and easy activity that can help your kids explore and appreciate nature. Your kids can collect some natural materials, such as leaves, flowers, grass, twigs, pine cones, etc., and then arrange them on a piece of paper or cardboard. You can use some glue, tape, or staples to secure the materials, or just let them overlap and create some patterns. You can also add some other materials, such as paper, fabric, buttons, beads, etc., to make the collage more colorful and interesting. You can let your kids make their collage or give them some themes or ideas, such as seasons, animals, shapes, etc.

8. Make a Bird Feeder

This is a fun and easy activity that can help your kids learn about and care for the birds in your area. You can make a bird feeder using some simple materials, such as a plastic bottle, a cardboard tube, a milk carton, or a pine cone. You can cut some holes or slits in the material and fill it with some bird seeds, nuts, or dried fruits. You can also decorate the feeder with some paint, stickers, ribbons, or anything else you like. You can then hang the feeder on a tree, a fence, or a pole and watch the birds come and enjoy the food.

Explore Nature

Exploring nature is a fun and educational way to get your kids to appreciate and learn about the environment. They can also develop their curiosity, observation, and discovery skills. Here are some easy and fun ways to explore nature with your kids:

9. Go on a Scavenger Hunt

This is a fun and exciting way to get your kids to look for and find different things in nature. You can make a list of items that you want your kids to find, such as a leaf, a flower, a rock, a feather, a bug, etc. You can also add some challenges, such as finding something that is red, something that smells good, something that makes a sound, etc. You can then give your kids a bag or a basket and let them go and search for the items. You can also join them and help them if they need some clues or hints. You can then check the items off the list and see who found them the most or the fastest.

10. Make a Nature Journal

This is a fun and creative way to get your kids to record and reflect on their observations and experiences in nature. You can give your kids a notebook or a sketchbook and some pencils, crayons, or markers. You can then encourage them to draw, write, or paste pictures of what they see, hear, smell, touch, or feel in nature. You can also ask them some questions, such as what they like, what they wonder, what they learned, etc. You can then review their journal entries and discuss them with them.

11. Plant a Garden

This is a fun and rewarding way to get your kids to learn about and care for plants. You can choose some seeds or plants that are easy to grow and suitable for your climate and space. You can then help your kids prepare the soil, plant the seeds or plants, water them, and watch them grow. You can also teach your kids about the different parts of plants, their life cycle, their needs, and their benefits. You can also harvest and enjoy the fruits, vegetables, herbs, or flowers that you grow.

Just Have Fun

Sometimes, the best way to enjoy the outdoors with your kids is to just have fun and be silly. You can also use this opportunity to bond with your kids and make some memories. Here are some easy and fun ways to just have fun with your kids outside:

12. Blow Bubbles

This is a simple and magical activity that can delight your kids and make them smile. You can buy some bubble solution and wands, or make your own using some dish soap, water, and a wire hanger. You can then blow some bubbles and watch them float, pop, or catch them. You can also try to make some big bubbles, some small bubbles, some colored bubbles, or some bubble shapes.

13. Have a Picnic

This is a simple and relaxing activity that can help you enjoy some quality time and food with your kids. You can pack some sandwiches, snacks, drinks, and fruits, or make some together with your kids. You can then find a nice spot in your backyard, park, or playground and spread a blanket or a mat. You can then enjoy your food and talk, read, play, or nap with your kids.

14. Fly a Kite

This is a simple and exhilarating activity that can help your kids experience the thrill and joy of flying. You can buy some kites or make your own using some paper, sticks, string, and tape. You can then find a windy day and a wide open space and let your kites soar in the sky. You can also try to make some tricks, loops, or races with your kites.