30 Outdoor Activities for Kids

Written By: The Good and the Beautiful Published On:

Looking for some outdoor activities for kids? Well, it’s time to get outside! The positive impact of nature and outdoor learning has been proven over and over again. Spending time in nature increases focus, creativity, and a sense of wonder. Being outside also promotes overall health—both emotional and physical—for kids and adults alike.

So, gather your kids, grandkids, or even a neighbor’s kids, and head outside to start exploring God’s amazing creation!

Why is being active outdoors good for kids?

There are many benefits to getting outside and being active in nature:

  • Reduces stress — Sunshine and fresh air give children (and adults) a happiness boost.
  • Activates senses — The sights, sounds, and smells outside give children a greater appreciation of God’s beautiful creation.
  • Fosters creativity — Outdoor free play and exploration encourage children to use their imaginations, problem solve, and give them a sense of wonder about the world around them.
  • Exercises the body — Physical movement refreshes the mind and body; many kids (and adults) today spend too much time indoors or on screens.

How much time should children spend outside?

Answers vary on how much time children should spend outside depending on:

  • location,
  • season,
  • weather, and
  • the age of child.

In general, it is healthy for children to spend a minimum of two to four days a week outside for a minimum of 30 minutes each day. Ideally, children should spend an hour or more outdoors for multiple days a week.

30 Outdoor Activities for Kids

To jump-start your creativity, The Good and the Beautiful team compiled a list of 30 unique and fun activities for you and your family to do outside this year whenever the weather’s nice where you live!

30 Outdoor Activities for Kids | The Good and the Beautiful PDF Download Get Your FREE Download

1. Build a miniature town using items found in nature (sticks, stones, flowers, greenery, etc.).

2. Pick and press flowers. Learn how here.

3. Count ants coming in and out of their homes.

4. Play baseball or kickball with water balloons.

5. Make a homemade tic-tac-toe game with items found around your yard.

6. Host a Service Scavenger Hunt to help in your community.

7. Have a sidewalk chalk coloring contest.

8. Play capture the flag.

9. Take an “I Spy” nature walk.

10. Ask your neighbors if you can help with yard cleanup or other tasks.

11. Make a car wash for your bikes.

12. Host a lemonade stand.

13. Set up a mini-golf course in your yard using only natural materials.

14. Plant seeds in a pot or in a spot in your yard and watch them grow.

15. Look for shapes in the clouds.

16. Go stargazing or track the phases of the moon for a month.

17. Pick up trash in your neighborhood. 

18. Use a magnifying glass to see insects up close.

19. Blow bubbles using homemade bubble wands.

20. Watch birds and notice their interesting habits.

21. Peel a crayon and do leaf and bark rubbings.

22. Collect rocks, paint them, and hide them around your neighborhood.

23. Hunt for worms on a rainy day and count how many you find.

24. Make a crown of flowers and other colorful plants. 

25. See what signs of wildlife you can spot: tracks, droppings, fur, feathers, snakeskins, etc.

26. Pick clean, unsprayed dandelions and use them to make dandelion play dough.

27. Collect different types of soil (sandy, clay, etc.); then get them all wet to see whether they hold water. Try making shapes with the soil containing clay! 

28. Take a walk to discover different species of trees and their unique leaves.

29. Have a spelling bee (or math bee, singing contest, or any contest!) outside with friends and family.

30. Host a neighborhood book swap, sharing your favorites from The Good and the Beautiful Bookshop. 

Share in the comments how these activities worked for your family, along with other ideas you have for outdoor fun! Don’t forget to download the full list and check off each item as you go. 

30 Outdoor Activities for Kids | The Good and the Beautiful PDF Download Get Your FREE Download

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