63 Fun Things to Do Outside With Kids

Kelly R. said:  Classic active yard games like four square, kickball, dodgeball, tag and SPUD are fun for many different ages, and even more so when mom and dad play!

Shila said:  Rhythmic gymnastics is an Olympic sport. Tie a long streamer to the end of a stick or a ruler; whip it around to inspire backyard ribbon dancing.

Shila said:  Set up an outdoor spot for kids to paint. They can paint on a canvas, a cardboard box, paper, clothing, tie dye - anything! Save the creative mess for outdoor play. Another option - which can be especially great for toddler play - is to paint with just water on the driveway or on the fence. The water marks are bold enough to satisfy young tots until the sun dries it out.

Shila said:  Set up a lemonade stand or a small mercantile table with impressionable arts and crafts to sell. Even if they don't get many customers, kids can at least count on your purchase! ;) The encouragement and attention from onlookers is nice to receive, too, and an entrepreneurial mindset is a great life skill for kids to develop early on!

Shila said:  Get out and do some flips! It's especially satisfying if your backyard happens to be larger than your living room.

Shila said:  Have fun with mud then wash off! If you don't have mud, turn on the hose and make some! Kids can pretend to make mud pies, mud soup, paint with mud, stamp muddy hand prints, etc.

Shila said:  Practice dribbling and shooting free throws, playing catch, kicking goals, putting, bumping volleyballs, etc. Challenge your kids to beat personal records.

Shila said:  Create outdoors by gathering pliable sticks and using them to make a bird's nest.

Shila said:  After a rainy day of indoor play, get the kids outdoors either barefoot or wearing boots to jump and splash in puddles. If they're lucky, too, maybe they'll spot a rainbow!

Shila said:  It can be a fun challenge to find the perfect rocks to create your own rock cairn. These stacked formations of flat rocks have historically been used to symbolize many things from hiking paths to ceremonial sites.

Shila said:  Fill plastic cups up with water on a tabletop and encourage the kids to play an outdoor bucket toss with ping pongs. However they wish to play, the mess is left outdoors. Engage the kids in some fun, friendly competition.

Shila said:  Pretend that you're a survival expert. How would you survive if you were stranded and only had what's available in nature to sustain life in the wilderness? Create your tools, shelter, etc. Your imagination is limitless.