Backyard Outdoor Activities for Kids

The weather is getting warmer and it's time to start moving entertainment outdoors. Outdoor play for kids is great because it's a great source of exercise and they can learn about nature at the same time. There are plenty of outdoor activities for kids that you can do right in your own backyard or neighborhood.

Make your own bubbles - This is a great outdoor activity for kids of all ages. If you're brave, you can even let them help you mix up the bubble solution. All you'll need is a big tub for the bubble solution and some metal coat hangers. First, make up the bubble solution like this one I found at exploratorium.com: 2/3 cup Joy Dish washing soap, 1 gallon water, 2 to 3 tablespoons of glycerine (available at pharmacies or chemical supply house). Next, bend your coat hangers into shapes, dip them in the bubble solution, and let your kids go to town. This is a great outdoor activity for kids that you can do right at your own house. Bonus tip: squirt your child down with the Waterhouse afterward if they get too sticky!

Play in the Sprinkler - This sounds simple enough, but seriously entertained my daughter all last summer. I found a Sponge bob (who she loves) sprinkler and she played in it for hours. This outdoor activity is usually fun for kids of all ages, and sometimes adults if it's really hot!

Car Wash - This outdoor activity will not only be fun for children, it also gets some work done. You can either clean your own car or your child's toy car, which they would love even more. They will love squishing the sponges and spraying the hose.

Take a Nature Walk - If you have a little one that is curious about nature, this is a great outdoor activity for them. You can either do this in your backyard or in a walk around the neighborhood, if you have one. The idea is for your child to collect as many "specimens" as possible while on the walk such as flowers, leaves, pinecones, etc. My daughter has a little bug catcher with different compartments that she likes to use, or you could just use any old bucket or pail. After you get home, take all the different finds out and discuss them. Like which ones are flowers, what color they are, etc.

Colored Scarf Tag - I got the idea for this activity from a book called "Games to Play with Two Year Olds" by Jackie Silberg. This game is great because kids get exercise and it helps them to learn activities. First, you need to get a few different colored scarves (I used old ties) them hang them in various locations around your yard. You then say to your child "One, two, ready Red" (or whatever color you want them to run to) and you both make a mad dash for that color. My daughter was laughing so hard during this activity because I was running along with her. You could also use numbers or shapes that you cut our of construction paper.

As you can see there are plenty of alternatives to simply playing sports outside with your kid or going to the park. You could easily do any of these outdoor activities with your children right in your own backyard. Don't forget the sunscreen amidst all the fun!

Sources

"Bubble Formulae", exploratorium.com

Jackie Silberg, Games to Play with Two Year Olds" (Gryphon House, 2002).