The warm weather is slowly setting in, so let’s take advantage of it to plan some outdoor activities for the kids! Spending time outdoors is essential for our children’s early learning and development. It also helps them burn off their boundless energy.
Here are 10 ideas for outdoor activities for kids.
The Benefits of Playing Outside
Because it is sometimes more reassuring to keep our children indoors—away from danger and confined to a specific space—we in Western society tend to alienate them from nature without really realizing it.
However, spending time outdoors (even in winter!) allows children to take risks and explore their surroundings in a safe environment. By playing outside, they test their limits, connect with nature, and make many discoveries.
Outdoor activities also allow children to burn off energy and get some exercise, which should be part of their daily routine.
So no matter how old your child is or what the weather is like outside, let them play outside as much as possible!
Outdoor Activities for Kids: Our Top 10 Ideas
Are you running out of ideas for outdoor activities for kids? Here are a few ideas for activities that you can adapt to suit your children’s ages.
1. Organize a scavenger hunt
No matter the location, weather, or season, a scavenger hunt is an activity that will entertain both children and adults alike. The goal: to find all the items on their list of treasures to uncover. A scavenger hunt can be organized in a park, in the woods, on the beach, in a residential neighborhood, and so on.
Here are a few examples of things you can find in nature:
– insects, such as earthworms, ants, ladybugs, etc.
– plants, such as dandelions, clover, daisies, etc.
– colors: find a red object in nature, a green object, and so on.
– waste items (which help raise children’s awareness of pollution): a plastic cap, a bottle, a face mask, etc.
The children must find everything on their list in nature!
2. Drawing with chalk outdoors
Kids have creativity to spare, and it’s important to nurture it! For a change from the usual drawing and coloring on paper, have them create temporary chalk drawings on outdoor surfaces. They can draw on the sidewalk, playgrounds, a low wall, and so on.
3. Jump in puddles
Is it raining? Take advantage of those big puddles to keep your kids busy with a fun, active game. Dress them in their best rain gear and their nicest rain boots, and let’s go!
4. Playing hopscotch
A classic outdoor game enjoyed by generations, hopscotch is a favorite among children of all ages! The hopscotch squares can be drawn with chalk, and children can use a pebble or a piece of chalk as a marker.
5. Go for a bike ride
Cycling is a fun, family-friendly outdoor activity. If your children are old enough, head to a park and go explore the area.
And don't forget your helmets!
6. Go hiking
To help children develop balance, agility, and coordination, a short walk in nature is ideal. And why not challenge them by asking them to jump over obstacles or balance on a log?
The treasure hunt mentioned earlier can even be organized during the hike.
7. Go to the beach
If you’re lucky enough to live near a beach, make the most of it! There’s no shortage of activities for kids: walks on the sand, ball games, building sandcastles, drawing in the sand with a stick, hunting for shells, swimming, reading, and more.
8. Teach them yoga
Yoga isn’t just for adults! In fact, there’s no age limit for getting started. Yoga for kids is a little different from yoga for adults; the methods and exercises are adapted to suit the pace of little ones. And if the weather’s nice, lay out the mats outside!
Yoga for children helps them build self-confidence and learn to control their breathing. Their yoga sessions should be short; you can start by teaching them simple poses like Cat Pose or Tree Pose.
9. Play ball games
There’s nothing like a ball for keeping busy outdoors while having fun and getting some exercise! Ball-and-cat, hot potato, dodgeball, or just a good old-fashioned game of soccer—the options are endless!
10. Play board games
Board games can be played outdoors, too! Gather everyone around the patio table or even on a blanket spread out on the ground. Bring out your kids’ favorite games—and keep in mind that some publishers even offer versions of their games designed for outdoor use, such as water-resistant cards.
Building toys like Lego® or Kapla® are also great activities to do outdoors.
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