50 fun outdoor activities to keep kids active and engaged

Spending time outdoors is a fun way to help kids play while also developing important skills. Outdoor play gives them the space to explore and helps develop motor skills while connecting with nature. Whether you’re setting up backyard games, heading out on a nature adventure, or looking for ways to make outdoor time more exciting, this list of 50 activities will keep kids engaged.

Backyard activities for kids

1. Obstacle course – Set up a backyard challenge with cones, ropes, and hula hoops. Encourage kids to crawl, jump, balance, and run through the course to build coordination and agility.

2. Treasure hunt – Bury small toys or create a scavenger hunt with clues leading to a hidden prize. This boosts problem-solving skills and adds an element of adventure to playtime.

3. Bubble station – Make a DIY bubble solution and see who can create the biggest bubble. Try using different wands and adding glycerin to make bubbles last longer.

4. DIY water park – Use sprinklers, slip ‘n slides, and water balloons for a backyard splash zone. This is perfect for hot summer days when kids need a fun way to cool off.

5. Garden planting – Teach kids how to plant flowers, herbs, or vegetables. It’s a great way to teach responsibility and patience as they watch their plants grow over time.

6. Backyard camping – Pitch a tent in the backyard and tell stories next to a campfire while you enjoy the night sky. Add marshmallows to make smores and break out the sleeping bags for a full overnight camping experience. 

7. Sidewalk chalk art – Let kids express their creativity by drawing murals, hopscotch grids, or even turn it into an outdoor classroom with math problems.

8. Bug safari – Give kids a magnifying glass and encourage them to observe insects in their natural habitats. Discuss the roles bugs play in the ecosystem.

9. Mini car wash – Wash toy cars, bikes, or even real cars for fun while learning responsibility and teamwork.

Be a financially smart family!

Be a financially smart family!

From saving for the future to understanding credit, see how families are thriving with Greenlight.

Try Greenlight today

10. Shadow tracing – Trace shadows with chalk and watch how they change throughout the day, teaching kids about the movement of the sun.

Nature-based activities

11. Nature walk scavenger hunt – Find a local nature trail and take a hike. Give kids a checklist of things to find, such as pinecones, different leaf types, and animal tracks to make it more interactive and educational. 

12. Birdwatching – While outside or on a walk, take a bird guidebook or app to identify local birds and learn about them as you go. Keep a journal to track the birds you spot and see how many different kinds you can find. 

13. Rock painting – Collect smooth, flat rocks and bring out the paint! Let kids decorate them with fun designs, animals, or inspirational words. Then, take a walk around the neighborhood or park to hide them for others to find. 

14. Tree climbing – Encourage kids to find a sturdy, low-hanging tree and climb safely. This activity builds confidence, strength, and coordination while offering a new perspective from above. Always supervise younger kids and ensure trees are safe to climb.

15. Outdoor storytelling – Gather in a circle and start a group story, with each person adding a sentence or two. Since you’re outside, you can use nature as inspiration. For example, make up a story about a talking squirrel or a magical tree.

16. Pond exploration – Visit a pond or stream with a small net and container. Encourage kids to gently catch and release frogs, fish, or interesting aquatic plants while learning about ecosystems and habitats.

17. Star gazing – Lay out blankets and look up at the night sky. Use a stargazing app or book to identify constellations, planets, and even shooting stars. It’s a calming and educational way to connect with the universe.

18. Cloud watching – Lie on the grass and let imaginations run wild. What do the clouds look like? A dragon? A giant ice cream cone? Making up stories about the shapes boosts creativity and relaxation.

19. Fishing – Whether at a pond, lake, or river, fishing is a wonderful way to teach patience, focus, and an appreciation for nature. Show kids how to bait a hook, cast a line, and safely release fish back into the water.

20. Collecting and pressing flowers – Pick colorful flowers and leaves (making sure they aren’t from protected areas), then press them between the pages of a heavy book. After a few days, use them to create nature scrapbooks, bookmarks, or framed art.

Group outdoor games

21. Capture the flag – Divide into two teams, each with their own territory and flag. Players must strategize and work together to sneak into the opposing team’s territory, capture their flag, and return it to their own base without being tagged. 

22. Kickball – A fun blend of soccer and baseball, kickball involves kicking a rubber ball instead of hitting it with a bat. Players run bases just like in baseball, making it a great game for all ages.

23. Freeze tag – One player is “it” and must tag others, who then freeze in place until a teammate unfreezes them by touching them. This classic playground game builds endurance and keeps kids moving.

24. Red Rover – Players link arms in two lines and take turns calling one player from the opposite team to run and break through their chain. If they break through the chain, they go back to their team. If not, they join the opposing team, making their chain longer. 

25. Hopscotch – Draw a numbered grid with chalk or use a pre-made one at a park. Players toss a small object onto a square and must hop through the course without stepping on lines.

26. Relay races – Set up a series of short-distance races with fun twists like running while holding a spoon with an egg, hopping in a sack, or balancing a book on your head. Splitting kids up into teams encourages friendly competition and camaraderie.

27. Four square – A fast-paced game played with a bouncy ball in a large square divided into four smaller squares. Players must hit the ball into another square without letting it bounce twice. If the ball bounces twice in a square, hits the line, or goes out of bounds, the player who hit the ball is out.

28. Dodgeball – Divide into two teams and use soft, lightweight balls to play a game of dodging, throwing, and catching. If a player gets hit with the ball, they are out, but if they catch the throw in the air without dropping it, the player who threw it is out. Last team standing wins.

29. Jump rope challenges – Try different jump rope styles such as double Dutch, speed jumping, or trick jumping. Set fun challenges like “How many jumps can you do in a row?” or “Can you jump backward?” to keep kids engaged.

30. Simon says (outdoor edition) – Add physical challenges like jumping, spinning, balancing on one foot, or running short distances. This twist can make the game even more active and enjoyable.

Water and beach activities

31. Sandcastle building – Pack buckets, shovels, and a little imagination for an epic sandcastle-building session. Encourage kids to construct towers, dig moats, and decorate with seashells, seaweed, and driftwood. Add a friendly competition to see who can build the tallest or most creative castle.

32. Tide pooling – Take kids to explore tide pools at low tide and discover tiny sea creatures like starfish, crabs, and sea anemones. Bring a magnifying glass and a field guide to help identify different species. Remind kids to be gentle and observe without disturbing the animals.

33. Skipping stones – Show kids how to pick the perfect flat rock and master the flick of the wrist to get the most skips across the water. Make it a challenge: Who can get the most skips or send their stone the farthest?

34. Beach relay races – Organize fun relay races in the sand using beach toys, seashells, or sticks as batons. Running on sand adds an extra challenge and helps improve balance and coordination. Try hopping, crab-walking, or running backward for extra fun.

35. Floating paper boats – Fold simple paper boats, decorate them with markers, and set them afloat in a calm lake, stream, or kiddie pool. Experiment with different folding techniques to see which boats float best and travel farthest.

36. Sprinkler dance party – Turn on the sprinkler, crank up the music, and let the kids dance, jump, and twirl through the cool water. Add challenges like dancing in slow motion or hopping on one foot to make it extra silly.

37. Water balloon fight – Fill up a bucket of water balloons and get ready for a splash-tastic battle! Create teams, set up obstacles, or play target practice to improve throwing skills. Make sure to pick up all the balloon pieces afterward to keep the yard clean.

38. Boogie boarding – If you're at the beach, let kids ride the waves on a boogie board. Show them how to time their ride with the waves and glide smoothly to shore for a thrilling experience.

39. Outdoor bath time – Set up a kiddie pool with warm water, bubbles, and waterproof toys for a backyard bath-time adventure. Let kids "wash" their toy animals, cars, or dolls while splashing around.

40. Pool noodle jousting – Give kids a fun and safe jousting experience by having them balance on a pool float while using pool noodles to playfully knock each other off. It's a great way to build core strength and balance while giggling nonstop.

Learning and adventure activities

41. Geocaching – Turn an ordinary walk into an adventure with this high-tech treasure hunt. Use a GPS or geocaching app to find hidden caches in your area. Kids will love the thrill of searching for tiny treasures.

42. Map reading challenge – Give kids a printed map of your neighborhood or park and let them navigate to a specific location without using GPS. Add a compass for an extra challenge and teach them the basics of orienteering.

43. DIY weather station – Set up a weather observation area in your backyard with a rain gauge, thermometer, and wind vane. Have kids track temperature, rainfall, and wind patterns in a notebook and make their own weather predictions.

44. Paper airplane contest – Encourage creativity and experimentation by folding different types of paper airplanes. Test which designs fly the farthest, fastest, or do the coolest tricks.

45. Solar oven s’mores – Teach kids about solar energy by making a simple solar oven with a cardboard box, aluminum foil, and plastic wrap. Let them watch the sun slowly melt chocolate and marshmallows for delicious, energy-efficient s’mores.

46. Build a DIY kite – Make a homemade kite using paper, sticks, and string. Decorate it with bright colors and take it to an open field to watch it soar. Talk about wind currents and aerodynamics as they test their creations.

47. Bike ride scavenger hunt – Create a scavenger hunt with a list of things to find around your neighborhood or park. Kids can ride their bikes to different checkpoints, making exercise fun and rewarding.

48. Camping trip – Set up a real camping experience in a local park or forest. Teach kids how to pitch a tent, build a fire (safely), cook over a campfire, and enjoy the great outdoors.

49. DIY raft building – Use logs, sticks, or pool noodles to construct a small raft, then test it in a pond or stream. See if it can hold small toys or even a stuffed animal passenger.

50. Learn survival skills – Introduce kids to basic survival skills like fire-starting (with adult supervision), knot-tying, purifying water, and building a simple shelter. These skills can help develop a sense of adventure and resourcefulness.

Want more parenting wins? From budgeting to spending wisely, Greenlight’s family money app teaches money lessons for life. Try Greenlight, one month, risk-free.†

This blog post is provided "as is" and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional advice. Some content in this post may have been created using artificial intelligence; however, every blog post is reviewed by at least two human editors.

†Valid for new customers only. Subject to identity verification and minimum load requirements. Your first monthly fee will be billed to your parent wallet seven days after successful registration. To receive a refund of your first monthly fee, you must request to close your account on or before the day immediately preceding your first Monthly Billing Date. See the ‘Account’ tab of Settings by tapping the gear icon on the Greenlight app home page to confirm when your risk-free trial ends. See Terms for details.