80 Summer Activities To Get Kids Outside

Looking for ways to get your kids outside and away from screens? Here are 80 fun outdoor summer activities for kids of all ages!

We’ve got everything from active games to science experiments. So, let’s get this show on the road.

How Do I Keep My Kids Entertained In The Backyard?

Hey there, busy parents! Finding new and exciting ways to keep our kids entertained outdoors can be a real challenge. But don’t worry; we’re here to help!

We’ve compiled a great list of summer activities for kids that’ll get your kids outside. Almost all of them can be enjoyed in your backyard.

These activities will keep your kids busy and spark their curiosity, creativity, and love for nature. Ready discover what kind of fun awaits outside!

• Fun Summer Activities For Kids- Active Games
• Fun Outdoor Art Projects
• Nature Activities For Kids
• Fun Outdoor Water Activities For Kids
• Outdoor Challenges Kids Will Love
• Outdoor Science Experiments
• Gardening Fun With Kids
• Other Activities For The Backyard
• How Do Kids Benefit From Outdoor Play?
• How Can You Entice Your Child Outside?

Need more ideas for outdoor adventures? Our Outdoor Activities page is packed with all kinds of fun ideas to entice your kids outside.

Fun Summer Activities For Kids- Active Games

Do your kids love being active outdoors? Grab your kids and get outside for some good old-fashioned fun! Here are some fun summer activities for kids that involve energy-busting games to keep them on the move!

• Hide and Seek: One of the all-time classic games for kids! This fun game is great for all ages and is excellent for the backyard.
• Tag: Another game that is fun for everyone! Tag is fun, fast-paced, and active. There are loads of variations. This link will take you to a post with ten fun tag games for kids.
• Hopscotch: This game never goes out of style. Click on this link to find the rules for hopscotch.
• Blowing bubbles: Kids love bubbles, and we have the ultimate list of bubble activities for you to try with your kids.
• Backyard Scavenger Hunt: A backyard scavenger hunt is the perfect way to keep kids entertained! Your backyard is the ideal place to set one up. This post explains how to set up a scavenger hunt. Download the free printable to get started.
• Forest Scavenger Hunt: This hunt is a really fun activity when you go for a trip to woodlands. It would be a fun activity for camping. You can find the free printable here.
• Color Match Scavenger Hunt: Get ready for an exciting color-match scavenger hunt! Head to your local hardware store to grab some green and brown paint cards, then challenge your kids to find items in your backyard that match the colors on the card.

Fun Backyard Games With Equipment

• Cornhole: Cornhole is fun summer activity for kids. Why not make a cornhole game board and teach the kids how to play? The post comes with easy-to-follow instructions. Grab these building plans today, and get ready for family-friendly fun! You can also buy a set.
• Croquet: Croquet is a classic and engaging activity perfect for backyard fun! This timeless game encourages friendly competition and promotes physical activity and strategic thinking. Set up the course, grab your mallets, and prepare for a delightful afternoon of laughter as you introduce your family to the enchanting world of croquet. Need a croquet set? Check out these.
• Bottle Bowling: Take a few empty plastic bottles, and make your own bowling pins! It’s easy, fun, and will get your kids outside. Plus, it’s a great way to recycle empty plastic bottles. Get the full instructions here.
• Jump rope: Jump rope is fun for kids of all ages and a great way to exercise. This link will take you to a post with fun jump rope games and rhymes.
• Kicking ball: Kicking the ball around can be fun and competitive! You could play soccer or make up your own game rules.
• Childhood Games: Introduce your kids to the joy of classic games like marbles, ankle skipping, and jacks for hours of simple, screen-free fun.

You can find lots more outdoor games here. They are great for families to enjoy. Sometimes all you need is the right equipment. We’ve got loads of ideas for active, outdoorsy kids here.

Fun Outdoor Art Projects

Summer is the perfect time to get creative with your kids and encourage their artistic talents! The great thing about outdoor art is that you don’t have to worry about the mess. Art makes for some fun summer activities. We hope you enjoy these fun outdoor art projects with your kids!

• Swing Painting: Combine swings and paint for swing painting. Your kids will love this fun and messy art activity.
• Water Pistol Painting: This is a lot of fun for kids. Load some water pistols with paint and provide a blank canvas. This post provides the details.
• Bubble Printing: Use straws and whisks to create puffy clouds of colorful bubbles to create fabulous soap foam prints. This is messy play at its best!
• Pendulum Painting: This is a fun way to combine STEM and art. First, your kids must create a simple pendulum, and then they can use it to make a work of art. Find the instructions for this activity at There’s Just One Mummy.
• Exploding Paint Bombs is definitely an outdoor activity! Fill some small canisters with paint and an Alka Seltzer tablet. Pop on the lid and stand back. Get the full instructions here.
• Pour Painting: I love these bright and colorful pots decorated by pouring acrylic paint freestyle. Make sure your kids are wearing old clothes for this activity. You can find the instructions at Happiness is Homemade.
• Nature Resist Tie Dye Shirts: are a fun outdoor art project. Combine nature items and some dye to create one-of-a-kind T-shirts. Get the instructions here.

Rock Painting

Rock Painted Insects: Do you want to make something creative and fun with your kids? Rock-painted insects are the perfect backyard craft and only need a few simple supplies.

Rock Painting: Take a walk to find the perfect rocks, then enjoy rock painting. It is an ideal summer activity. Check out our list of easy painting rocks ideas for kids.

Sidewalk Chalk

Sidewalk chalk is a staple for kids’ outdoor fun, but have you tried sidewalk paint? Check out these fantastic recipes to create sidewalk chalk paint for endless entertainment.

• Making homemade sidewalk chalk paint is easier than you think. With just a few ingredients, you can make your own set of colors for summer fun. Get the recipe here.
• With just two simple ingredients, you can make Sidewalk Paint that is both gloriously puffy and colorful. Find out how to make it here! Your kids will love creating art outdoors with this unique material.

Looking for some more chalk recipes? Try this book

Fun Outdoor Nature Activities For Kids

Exploring the natural world is one of the easiest ways to get kids outside. They are also the cheapest summer activities around. Here are some of our favorite fun outdoor nature kids activities.

Leaves and Flowers

• Leaf Rubbings: Have your kids collect various leaves from the backyard or nearby park, place them under a sheet of paper, and gently rub a crayon over the surface to reveal the unique patterns and textures of the leaves.
• Nature Paint Brushes: These fun brushes use found natural treasures. They are easy to make (instructions here). This is a fun process art idea that will get kids excited to go outside.
• Grass Whistles: Introduce your kids to the simple joys of nature by teaching them how to create a whistle from a grass blade. This timeless activity will spark their curiosity and develop a sense of wonder for their outdoor playtime.
• Hapa Zome: Want to do something different with your kids? Why not give Hapa Zome a try? Hapa Zome is an innovative way to create beautiful art prints using the natural pigments in leaves and flowers. You’ll find complete instructions here.
• Flower Pressing: Teach your kids to press flowers by placing them between the pages of a heavy book or using a flower press. Use the dried flowers for crafts like bookmarks, greeting cards, or wall art.

Nature Art

• Land Art: Creating Land Art is such a fun project for families. All you need is some open space and creative imagination. This post tells you how to start with land art and has many inspiring pictures to spark the imagination. Remember to take a photo of your creation.
• Nature Mandalas: These are a beautiful form of Land Art. They are fun to create, and your kids will love the process. Our step-by-step guide will get you started and give you loads of inspiration.
• Nature Portraits: I love these quirky Nature Portraits from Adventure in a Box. Just go out to gather supplies and then use them to create faces. What kind of faces will you make?
• Nature Weaving: Discover the beauty and creativity of nature weaving. This fun outdoor activity combines art and the natural world. Engage your kids in weaving found natural treasures, like leaves and twigs, into unique masterpieces. The Chaos And The Clutter shows you how.
• Nature Collage: Collect various natural items like leaves, flowers, twigs, and stones and then use them to create a nature-themed collage on a piece of cardboard or poster board.

Bugs, Worms and Birds

• Spider Hunt: Unleash the inner naturalist in your kids by hunting for spiders in your backyard. Count the webs you see. Compare and contrast the intricate webs spun by these tiny architects. Here are some fun ideas for exploring spider webs
• DIY Bug Hotel: Are you looking for a fun, creative way to attract live wildlife to your garden? Try this easy DIY bug hotel tutorial! You only need a wooden CD crate, a few logs, and natural materials such as pine cones, sticks, moss, and leaves. It’s a great project to do with kids!
• Make a wormery out of a plastic bottle and watch worms in action. This is a delightful squirmy activity. You can find the instructions at Rainy Day, Mum.
• Build a BirdHouse: Transform your backyard into a haven for feathered friends by building a birdhouse with your kids! You can find instructions for building a simple birdhouse here or buy a kit.

Other Summer Activities In The Natural World

• Nature Journaling has so many benefits for kids! It encourages them to explore nature but also helps with their observational skills. This guide covers the essentials and will help you get started.

• Fairy Houses: Making Fairy Houses is one of my all-time favorite activities to do with kids. It is a fun way to get creative and helps encourage imagination. The best part? Mother Nature gives you all the supplies free of charge. Our Fairy House post will provide all the information you need to get started.
• Sun Prints: Every child should try making sun prints. This fascinating and educational activity combines art and science. Children use the sun’s rays and special photosensitive paper to capture the beauty of leaves, flowers, and small twigs.
• Nature Bracelets: Making Nature Bracelets is a simple, fun outdoor activity for kids. These pretty nature bracelets are fun to make and wear! All you need is some duct tape! Then off you go exploring. Get the instructions from Sprouting Wild Ones.

Fun Backyard Water Activities For Kids

Sometimes the best summer activities for kids are the simplest. Fill some large tubs with water and provide some super soakers. Challenge your kids to an epic soaker battle! Here are some other fun water activities

• Sponge Bombs: Water balloons are a classic toy but can be messy. These sponge bombs are a fun alternative, and there is no clean-up afterward. You can find the instructions for making them at Inner Child Fun.
• Water Balloon Catapult: Make a simple catapult with a wooden plank and launch water balloons or sponge bombs. Talk about fun! Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls has the instructions.
• Water Slide: Kids love a good water slide any day, especially in the summer heat. Backyard Sidekick shows you how to make a water slide with plastic sheeting and pool noodles.
• Water Cup Races: This is a fun and easy water game. It is perfect for parties or to keep the kids busy on a hot day. Kids use water guns (or squirters) to race plastic cups along a string. Get the instructions for setting this game up on MomBrite.
• Water Balloon Piñata: a wet and wild game that your kids will love. Get the details on Fireflies and Mudpies. It is super easy to set up as well.
• Sprinkler Fun: Nothing beats the thrill of running through sprinklers in the backyard on a scorching summer day. Set up sprinklers and watch your kids delight in the refreshing, splashy fun that keeps everyone active and cool.
• Water Science: Dive into the fascinating world of water with these 50 fascinating water science experiments to keep your kids entertained and learning. Explore the wonders of H2O and spark their scientific curiosity in your backyard.

Outdoor Challenges Kids Will Love

Challenging or engaging their imagination is an excellent way to entice kids outdoors. It is a great way to encourage teamwork, creative thinking, and problem-solving. It can also keep them occupied for ages.

• Obstacle course: Gather an assortment of toys and household items. These might include jump ropes, bamboo supports, boxes, planters, hula-hoops, cones, and tarps. Put them in a pile with a note saying, “Use all these things (and anything else you can find) to create an obstacle course.”
• Create a Game: Collect some outdoor game pieces. Things like bats, balls, jump ropes, croquet sets, and pool noodles. Challenge your kids to use them (and anything else they can find) to create a game.
• Make a Fort: Provide the makings of an epic fort. You might provide tarpaulins, long sticks, blankets, rope, heavy stones, or stick-lets. Let them go to town and create their own den.
• Boat building challenge: Provide various materials such as waxed paper, aluminum foil, popsicle sticks, duct tape, foam sheets, rubber bands, plastic wrap, small milk cartons, disposable cups, and straws. Challenge kids to build a boat that floats. Once they’ve completed their creations, test the rafts’ buoyancy in a small pool of water.

Outdoor Science Experiments

Get ready to have some fun! Summer days are the perfect time for outdoor science projects! The best part? You don’t have to worry about the mess! Here are some of our favorite ideas to get you started.

• Ice cream in a bag is a delicious science experiment perfect for the outdoors. Why not try it on a warm summer day. It is easy to do, and you can find the instructions here.
• Parachute Fun: Learn how to make a parachute and experiment with different designs. Hop over to Inspirations Laboratories to get full instructions.
• Solar Oven: Make a solar oven and then use it to create rainbow crayons. How cool is that? All you need is a box and a few household items. The Craft Train has step-by-step instructions.
• Human Sundials: Turn your kids into human sundials: This fun play-based activity packs in a lot of learning. Kids will see how shadows are created and measure the Earth’s rotation. Get all of the details at Rhythm of Play.
• Walking On Eggs: What happens if you walk on raw eggs? The answer may surprise you, and it will really wow your kids. You will need several dozen eggs in the egg carton for this one. Get the instructions from Housing a Forest.
• Egg Parachutes: Use a few household items and make egg parachutes. Kids will love launching them into the sky and watching them float down.
• DIY Anemometer: Your kids will enjoy creating an anemometer and measuring the wind speed on a breezy day. All you need are some paper cups and a few household items. Get the instructions at There’s Just One Mommy.

Messy Outdoor Science

Messy summer activities will always be a hit with kids!

• How about some messy and exploding science? I don’t know many kids that would refuse the chance to make a mess or explode something. Check out 29 of the messiest and loudest science experiments for kids. You will want to go outside for these.
• Oobleck: It’s no secret that kids of all ages love Oobleck! This magical substance is a hit with kids everywhere. Making Oobleck is a messy activity, so it is a great backyard activity for kids. Get the simple recipe here.
• Make and launch a rocket. Make the rocket from a film canister powered by an Alka Seltzer tablet. This experiment is bound to impress your kids. You can find the instructions at the Kitchen Pantry Scientist.
• Exploding Sand Volcano: Impress your kids with an exploding volcano. Set it up in the sandbox. You can get the full instructions at Growing a Jeweled Rose.

Gardening Fun With Kids

Ready to ignite your child’s sense of wonder and nurture their green thumb? Gardening with kids in the backyard is a fantastic way to combine fun, learning, and a love for nature in a hands-on experience! Gardening makes for some great summer activities for kids.

• Grow Flowers: Do you want to teach your kids how to grow flowers? It’s not that hard! Check out this post and learn which flowers are the best for beginners and how to grow them successfully at home.
• Bean Teepee: If you’re looking for a creative gardening project for your little ones, consider building a bean teepee! This natural play tent is the perfect addition to any backyard, providing a unique hideout for little explorers.
• Sunflower House: Looking for a magical, nature-inspired play space for your little ones? Growing a sunflower house with kids will transform your backyard into an enchanting sanctuary, sparking their imagination and connection to the natural world. Get complete instructions here.
• Growing Names On A Zucchini: This activity is easy for the whole family. Kids will love watching their name take shape on the side of a growing zucchini. You can find the instructions here.
• Miniature Gardens: Ready to create a tiny, enchanting world with your kids? Discover the joy of growing a miniature garden in a plant pot or tray, fostering creativity and nurturing a love for gardening in a small yet magical space.

Other Summer Activities For The Backyard

• Campfire: Build a campfire in your backyard for roasting marshmallows and sharing stories. Go one step further by cooking a delicious meal together. We’ve got 11 campfire meals to choose from, making memories that will last a lifetime.
• Backyard Picnic: Lay out a blanket and have a fun family picnic in your backyard. It is an excellent way to get quality family time while enjoying the outdoors.
• Mud Pies: Unleash your child’s inner mud-master with this timeless, messy fun activity! Making mud pies sparks creativity and offers endless sensory entertainment that kids can’t resist. All you need is dirt and water.
• Backyard Campout: Ignite your child’s imagination and sense of adventure by setting up a tent for a playful backyard campout. This fun activity promotes creativity and fun just a few steps from home. Don’t have a tent? Throw a blanket over the clothesline and weigh it down with stones.

How Do Kids Benefit From Outdoor Play?

It is fun for kids to play outdoors, but what else do they get out of it? Outdoor play has many benefits.

First, it gets them moving and active, which helps with healthy weight management. It also boosts children’s immune systems helping ward off illness (which means less time lost at school).

Active children who enjoy lots of free play do better in school. Exposure to bright natural light means less likely to develop anxiety or depression.

Outdoor play with others also builds social skills. They learn about cooperation, teamwork, and sharing and taking turns with others.

They also learn conflict resolution and negotiation skills, which will help them in school, at work, or anywhere they contact others.

Finally, outdoor play helps children build healthy self-esteem. They get to do fun things, test their limits, and discover new talents in a safe space without judgment or pressure from others. All of which help them grow into confident adults.

This article from Parenting Science talks about the many benefits of outdoor play.

How Can You Entice Your Child Into The Backyard?

Turn off the screens.

Scientists have discovered that dopamine levels in the brain double during gameplay. This dopamine hit is why your kids are drawn to the screens and resist turning them off. Getting them to do anything else when the screens are on will be challenging.

Allow For a Transition

Transitioning from screens to outdoor play can be tricky. Remember that children are coming down from a dopamine high, so everything will seem dull in comparison for a while.

As a parent, it is essential to be understanding and patient during this period.

Here are some suggestions to help your kids make the transition:

1. Offer a snack: A small, healthy snack can help ease the transition from screen time to outdoor play. It can serve as a distraction and provide energy for physical activities.
2. Allow for boredom: It’s okay for children to feel bored during the initial transition. Boredom can be beneficial, as it encourages creativity and self-initiated play. Use this genius approach to deal with kids whining about boredom.
3. Go outside with them: Join your kids in the backyard and engage in activities together. Having you join in makes it more enjoyable for your kids. It creates an opportunity for bonding and making lasting memories.

Allow Plenty of Time For Free Play

Allowing kids plenty of time for free play is one of the best things you can do to encourage them outdoors.

This unstructured play lets them explore their interests and try new things. Having a list of summer activities ready to go is helpful.

Final Thoughts

We hope this list of fun summer activities for kids has given you some fun ways to get your kids outside.

There is no doubt that kids need to spend time outdoors. Not only does it make them happier and healthier, but there are many skills they learn and develop through outdoor kids’ play. Why not join them and create some memories?

Looking for more fun ideas to keep kids entertained? Head over to our Kids Activities page where you’ll find hundreds of fun ideas all in one place.