Keep Things Interesting With These Outdoor Activities for Kids

by John Griffith
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If you are running out of ideas and ways to keep your kids entertained, we feel you. This past year has been very difficult for moms as well as for kids. Social distancing and staying at home really did a number on us. So, it is only natural that we don’t really know what to do with ourselves anymore. It is even worse for children, however. They have so much energy and nothing to do with it. That is exactly why today we have decided to give a few ideas for fun outdoor activities for kids of all ages. After all, spring is here, summer is approaching and finally your kids can enjoy the backyard and you can have some time for yourself. What’s more, these fun games will definitely keep them occupied for long periods of time.

If you are running out of ideas to keep you children entertained, we are here to help

children holding arms in a circle fun things to do outside playing on a field covered with grass

First off, let’s start with a fun DIY game

step by step diy tutorial what to do outside how to make sponge balls soaked in water

Outdoor games for kids – sponge bombs

Supplies:

  • 6 or 8 sponges in different colors
  • cotton string or twine
  • scissors

You need just these three things to have fun

diy sponge bombs soaked in water what to do outside step by step tutorial

Instructions:

  1. Cut the sponges lenghtwise into 4 pieces.
  2. Take 4 pieces of different sponges so they are multicolored and stack four more on top of them.
  3. Wrap the string around them, tie it and pull tightly.
  4. Dip in water and start having fun!

These are so easy to make

sponges cut lengthwise tied together what to do outside step by step diy tutorial for sponge bombs

Source: Natural Beach Living

DIY chalk paint that’s easy to wash off

diy sidewalk chalk paint outdoor activities for kids muffin tin filled with paint and different paint brushes

How to make chalk paint?

Supplies:

  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup cornstarch
  • food coloring
  • muffin tin
  • paint brushes

Instructions:

  1. Mix the water and cornstarch until smooth liquid is achieved.
  2. Pour the mixture into the muffin tin.
  3. Add the different food coloring to each cavity in the muffin tin and stir with a toothpick or paintbrush.

Source: One Crazy Mom

Now it is time to get the best outside cinema experience

lots of kids sitting on red throw pillows with pop corn and soda fun games to play outside watching a film

Fun things to do outside

Supplies:

  • twin bed sheet
  • 1.5-inch ribbon, 8 feet
  • 2 wood dowels 1.5-inches x 72 inches
  • 2 solid brass grommets 1/2-inch
  • sewing machine
  • grommet kit
  • measuring tape
  • fabric shears

Easy step by step tutorial in pictures

photo collage of step by step tutorial fun games to play outside how to make an outside movie screen

Instructions:

  1. Cut the ribbon into 4 24-inches long strips and set 2 of them aside. Fold the other 2 in half and sew at the 2-inch mark. Then add a large grommet between the stitch and the fold to both of them.
  2. Fold the bed sheet lengthwise and sew the bottom edges together along the seam.
  3. Open the inside layer to show the inside edge using scissors.
  4. Measure 2.5-inches at center fold and sew across.
  5. Slide first dowel into stitches center fold.
  6. Tie the ribbons onto both ends of the top dowel and trim the ends.
  7. Slide the second dowel on to bottom. Once again, tie the ribbons on both ends and trim ends.
  8. Hang onto a wall or fence.

Add a few pillows and cushions to create the perfect ouside cinema experience

what to do outside diy movie screen red mattress and throw pillows on the floor candy bar

Source: Lia Griffith

Fun idea for a soap boat race

how to make a mini boat rice games to play outside mini soap boat placed on plastic tube

Outdoor activities for kids

Supplies:

  • bar of soap
  • rain gutter
  • fabric and scissors
  • toothpick
  • glue gun

Instructions:

  1. Cut small triangles out of the fabric and glue to the top of the toothpick.
  2. Stick the toothpick into the soap.
  3. Lay out the rain gutter and stick a hose on one end and let the water tun.
  4. Place the soap in the gutter and let the race begin.

Source: I Heart Nap Time

Backyard fishing for kids and adults alike

photo collage of lots of kids fishing in a kiddie pool with plastic fish bait fun games to play outside

Games to play outside

Supplies:

  • bait fish (plastic, not real ones)
  • metal paper clips
  • wire cutters
  • small tree branches
  • magnets
  • twine
  • hot glue

This is a very fun activity for the whole family

fishing with plastic fish bait and magnets fun games to play outside diy tutorial

Instructions:

  1. Remove the hooks from the bait fish and lace a paper clip through the loop.
  2. Tie the twine to the end of the tree branch. At the other end glue the twine in between two magnets.
  3. Fill a kiddie pool with water, add the fish bait and start fishing.

Source: Mom Endeavors

DIY fun bubble snakes

backyard games for kids how to make a bubble snake blowing bubbles through sock

Fun things to do outside

Supplies:

  • wool sock
  • water bottle
  • duct tape
  • bubble solution

Instructions:

  1. Cut the bottom of the water bottle and the bottom 4 inches of the sock.
  2. Place the sock over the end of the water bottle and wrap with duct tape.
  3. Pour the bubble solution into a shallow container.
  4. Dip the sock into the solution.
  5. Blow into the bottle to create these fun bubble snakes.

Here’s the step by step tutorial

fun games to play outside photo collage of step by step diy tutoirla for how to make bubble snakes

Source: Eclectic Momsense

Music chairs is one of the most fun activities out there

backyard games for kids three kids running around two chairs playing musical chairs

Here’s even more ideas for outdoor activities for kids

  1. Create a theater stage for your kids by hanging two not see-through shower curtains onto a line tied to two opposite trees.
  2. Create a mini obstacle course by placing wood stumps far enough apart so that your kids can reach them. This can be played as a version of the floor is lava.
  3. Create a water war by blowing up a few balloons and filling them with water. The perfect game for the hottest summer days.
  4. Grab different toys, such as hula hoops, cones, pylons and organize an obstacle course for your kids. This would be a great activity for motor skills improvement.
  5. Grab a white shower curtain and tape it to the ground. Make a tic-tac-toe grid using colored tape. Grab a few frisbees and let the fun begin.

Water balloons are always fun

blue bucket filled with purple balloons filled with water backyard games for kids

We’ve got even more ideas for outdoor fun for kids

  1. Camp out in your backyard. You can make it a full camping experience. Put up a tent, build a fire, grab some marshmellows and enjoy the outdoors.
  2. Go on a nature walk and explore the flora and fauna. Tell your kids to collect flowers and/or bugs that they find interesting. Once you get home make a collage with them while teaching them which is which. That way they will not only be active, but will also be able to learn new things.
  3. Help the birds by building a birdhouse. Help your kids to create a birdhouse with popsicle sticks, decorate it and hang it somewhere. Now all you have to do is sit back and observe the visitors.
  4. Organize a treasure hunt. Use your backyard to create a treasure hunt with fun clues for your kids. What’s more, you can get the other moms on the block in on the fun and organize a treasure hunt for all the kids across the neighborhood.
  5. Create watery fun for the hottest summer days. Purchase colorful plastic sheeting and secure it to the ground. Let the water run downhill for a fun slip ‘n slide.

There are just so many fun activities that will keep your kids entertained all day long

boy and girl playing outdoor games for kids pool noodles cut in half water poured on them for mini boat race boys and girl playing on a field surrounded by trees outdoor fun for kids playing with large plastic ball boy smiling playing with paint outdoor games for kids yellow and pink paint splattered on the concrete boys playing cornhole carrying corn bags backyard games for kids playing next to lake

Hang a large chalk board on a fence or wall and let your kid get creative

boy wearing superhero cape yellow boots drawing on a chalk board games to play outside circles made with pool noodles fun things to do outside girls jumping into the circles close up photo of kid wearing orange pants blue sneakers playing hop scotch outdoor activities for toddlers dad and boy playing catch outdoor activities for toddlers dad throwing the ball at the boy five kids laying on the grass in a circle things to do outside making binoculars with their hands smiling

Let them play any type of sport – soccer, football, basketball, they are all great activities

five kids playing football on field covered with green grass things to do outside soccer fun things to do outside three kids popping soap bubbles balloons around them games to play outside two blonde girls playing one pushing the other one sitting on toy car girl dressed in a princess dress with crown outdoor activities for kids swinging on a rope hanging from a tree girl going down a water slide backyard games for kids plastic cloth placed on the grass

Biking is another great activity for the whole family

girl riding a bike outdoor activities for toddlers boy next to her riding on a scooter on the sidewalk girl wearing a superhero cape fun things to do outside photographes as of shes flying

So many fun outdoor activities for kids

lots of kids outdoor games for kids half of them blindfolded the other half running lots of kids playing on a field covered with grass outdoor games for kids ladder spread onto the grass mom dad and kids playing tug of war outdoor fun for kids holding onto a rope on both ends

Build an obstacle course for the children and have a surprise ready for the winner

ninja warrior obstacle course build in the backyard with wooden logs and pallets outdoor fun for kids outdoor activities for kids white plates with different numbers in them for points corn bags thrown at themoutdoor activities for toddlers three girls holding up boards with letters spelling fun outside scrabble

Eating candy while playing, sure why not? Whoever collects more candy with the straw, gets to have it

outdoor fun for kids two boys standing next to table trying to take candy from a plate with a straw outdoor games for kids boys and girls wearing helmets riding scooters posing for a photo pool noodles turned into hoops games to play outside boy shooting a ball inside the hoops sandlot with toys and boulders around it outdoor activities for kids boy and girl playing inside things to do outside boy girl pulling rope playing tug of war in the park sun shining above them two boys and girl running on wooden logs outdoor activities for kids spread across field covered with grass

Allow your children to express themselves with some drawing and painting

two girls different ages drawing outside outdoor activities for toddlers holding pencils sitting on chairs two girls playing on a swing set things to do outside one of them on the swing smiling

John Griffith
John Griffith

John Griffith is a young, passionate journalist. Writing has been John’s hobby ever since he was a boy. He has worked in some of the UK’s most successful news portals over the course of his professional career but found his forever home at Archzine.

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