Exploring the great outdoors is a perfect way to keep kids happy, healthy, and entertained during those long summer days. Spending time outside is great for soaking up that necessary vitamin D, keeping active, getting away from electronic devices, but most importantly – it’s fun! Here are 12 outdoor activities for kids that will keep them busy in the fresh air all summer long (and beyond!).
Go for a Walk
Strap on those walking shoes and head outside for a stroll around the block. If you’re feeling ambitious, find some walking paths or hiking trails in your local area. Many of them will have paved portions that are perfect for strollers or little legs, or you can take two loops and hit the playground afterward. Here are some ways you can make a simple walk more engaging:
-
Play “I Spy”. See how long it takes your little ones to guess the objects as you go along.
-
Investigate nature. Make a list of common plants and animals you may see on your walk, and see if you can find them. Discuss your findings once the walk is complete.
-
Scavenger hunt. You can find plenty of scavenger hunt ideas online if you’re stuck. See if you can check all the boxes before you make it back home!
-
Start a rock collection. This endeavor works best if you’re planning on just a quick jaunt, as that rock bucket can get quite heavy with an enterprising toddler at the helm. Become a Lottie Dolls Fossil Hunter and use this factsheet to learn more about the rocks in your neighborhood.
-
Gather flowers. Wildflowers can make a beautiful bouquet, or you can press the leaves or petals in books between pieces of wax paper. Make sure to only collect plants from areas where it’s allowed, so you don’t disturb the local ecosystem. Or, simply collect photographs instead.
Lottie loves to take walks with her dog and her friends. Bring Walk in the Park Lottie along on all of your outdoor adventures.
Make a Bird Feeder
This classic outdoor activity is perfect for attracting some feathered friends to your yard. You can DIY elaborate bird feeders with wood, cardboard, or other recycled materials. For a classic bird feeder craft, all you need to do is slather a pine cone in some peanut butter, roll it in birdseed, and hang with twine (full tutorial here).
Plant a Garden
Whether you have a few acres of lush farmland or a small apartment patio, there are plenty of ways to give outdoor gardening a try. You can grow a variety of different herbs in a small window box, or experiment with a variety of fruits and vegetables in a raised garden bed. Check out this activity to grow a sunflower of your very own!
Have a Picnic
You don’t need fancy foods or a fancy setup to have a fun picnic outside. Just pack some sandwiches, throw an old blanket on the ground and voila! It’s a perfect picnic in the park. For a fancier affair, try adding a theme and having everyone dress to the occasion. What would everyone be eating or wearing at a pirate picnic? What about a posh afternoon tea for fairies? Get creative and have fun! Check out this picnic word search for a fun afternoon activity.
Try a New Water Activity
Swimming, kayaking, fishing, oh my! The possibilities are endless when you head outside to the open water. If your backyard isn’t blessed with a swimming pool or nearby lake, fill up a water table and add some toys (like Pool Party Lottie) for some watery fun. Or, turn on those sprinklers and set the kids loose Your grass will love it too.
Go Camping
Camping is a fun outdoor activity, but it can seem daunting to those who haven’t yet mastered it. Instead of a full week of rustic tent camping, try pitching a tent in the backyard for a night. If your yard is appropriate for a fire pit, skip the tent and build a fire instead. Tell scary ghost stories, roast marshmallows, sing songs, and sleep outside – or head back inside to your own comfortable bed.
Pop a Wheelie
Grab your favorite set of wheels and hit the pavement. Whether you love riding a scooter, bike, roller skates, or skateboard, be sure to always wear a helmet.
Learn a New Sport
Long, beautiful summer days are the perfect time to practice a new sport. Hit the local park with a basketball and shoot some hoops, set up some cones in the backyard and kick a soccer goal, or head to the batting cages or mini-golf course. For a whirlwind tour of different activities, a daytime summer camp can be just the ticket to learn new sporty skills.
Try a New Recipe
Cooking with kids can be a whole lot of fun, especially when you focus on delicious snacks and desserts. Here are some of the best outdoor recipes to try this summer on the grill or over the open fire:
Most of these recipes can be customized to suit your needs, and they’re perfect over a nice fire or charcoal grill. Always supervise your kiddos when using open flames, and make sure to extinguish any flames properly.
Play with Chalk
Make elaborate chalk drawings on the driveway and watch your creations come to life. If you want to make long-lasting chalk art, you can add some inexpensive soft pastels that’ll make your paintings pop. Blend with a little bit of water and voila, fantastical street art!
Blow Bubbles
Kids of all ages will enjoy a big ole’ tub of bubbles. Blowing bubbles can help calm a tantrum, or help a nervous kid anxious about summer camp. Plus it’s a quick and easy way to get out of the house on a summer afternoon. Adults can have fun blowing bubbles too!
Bring the Inside, Outside!
You don’t always need to have a special activity planned to enjoy the outdoors. Try doing the things you normally do at home inside – but outside! Read a book under a shady tree, bring some Lottie Dolls on a pretend camping trip, or just lay outside on a towel and enjoy the sunshine. The possibilities for enjoying the outdoors are endless when you get a little creative.
