Want to get your kids outside this summer? Here are a ton of fun and easy outdoor activities for kids of all ages!
As the weather gets pretty, I try to push my kids towards outdoor play as much as possible.
Don’t get me wrong – there are plenty of times when we are stuck inside. Heat, rain, stubborn kids, and tight schedules trap us all the time. All the more reason to go outside whenever we can!
Outdoor fun for kids
Here are some ideas to get you started with summer outdoor activities, by age!
Outdoor activities for toddlers
Outside play for toddlers is so important! Kids this age tend to get a bit wild and moving them outdoors is often a safe way to let them run free.
There are tons of toddler outdoor activities for 1-2 year olds! You can go with more structured games or simply giving them supplies or invitations to play and letting them play free.
Easy outdoor games for toddlers include:
- Tag
- Hide and seek
- Peekaboo (around bushes/trees/etc)
- Kicking/throwing a ball
Fun outdoor activities for toddlers include:
- Blow bubbles
- Sidewalk chalk
- Messy sensory activities (shaving cream, water, dirt)
- Water table
- Toy cars/trucks that can roll on grass
- Ice play
- Story time outside
Outdoor activities for preschoolers
Simple outdoor activities for 3-5 year olds include:
- Scavenger hunt
- Water table
- Ice play
- Kicking/throwing a ball
- Tee ball
- Stomp rocket
- Sand play or digging
- Bike/scooter
Outdoor activities for kids
If your kids are in school, it’s important to give them a fun summer enjoying the great outdoors!
Here are ideas for simple outdoor activities for kids:
- Sprinkler/water play
- Go for a hike or exploration in the woods
- Hopscotch or chalk games
- Jump rope
- Obstacle course
- Outdoor arts and crafts
- Helping in the garden
- Help wash the car (or wash anything!)
Be sure to check out my summer bucket list!
If you are looking for kiddies outdoor activities, here are a few of my specific favorite great activities for all ages!
More nature craft ideas:
Outdoor activities for kids
Here are a ton of outdoor activities that will encourage your kids to enjoy - and maybe even beg for - outside playtime!
Go out on a nature hunt and use the leaves, branches, or pine cones that you find to paint with!
I have a ton of free printable scavenger hunt guides, but this is a favorite for summer!
Time to get muddy with this little blue truck inspired muddy sensory bin.
Cool down on a hot day with this icy dinosaur dig!
Grab a ball and some paint and let your kids create marbled, rolled ball art!
Sense of Hearing Activity for Kids: What Do you “See” with Your Ears?
Spend some time talking about the senses. Here are some ideas for how to talk about the sounds that kids hear outside!
I love this idea - hide little animals out in the yard and let them go on safari!
Cool down on a hot day and get a little wet with some sponge splash play.
Remember those science fair volcanoes? If you have a sandbox, you can make a volcano right there!
My kids love the water wall at childrens museums, so I know that they would love this at home version!
If you have a mud kitchen or outdoor kids table, transform it into a water play station!
Kids LOVE washing things for some reason! Set up an animal wash in the backyard for some fun splashing!
Freeze your kids favorite lil guys and let them save them from that frozen life!
This is a tutorial on basically how to make blow darts, but in a kid friendly way!
Get out the squirt guns and have a blast making these paintings.
If your kids love sidewalk chalk, they will enjoy this chalk paint!
Got pinecones? Here's a cool way to use them to teach the lifecycle of trees!
“Build a Nest” Scavenger Hunt [Printable Spring Nature Activity for Kids!]
This activity is a fun balance between going wild and gathering nature items and learning about how birds build a nest and building your own!
Splat! Get messy and have fun with this painting activity.
What's more summery than sand? Frozen sand! Here's how to make it.
My kids LOVE fairy gardens. Set one up to enjoy all summer long.
Got bees? Help your kids to build a bee bath for your yard!
Big kids will LOVE stomping bubble wrap with paint to make this active art project.
Want s'mores without the fire? Here's how to make a pizza box solar oven!
This goopy sensory bin is perfect even for younger toddlers.
Go picking flowers and use them to make this special fairy soup!
This garden themed sensory bin can be modified to work for any age of kiddos!
What are your favorite outside activities for kids?
Thanks for reading!
Hey there, I’m Morgan, the creative mind behind CelebratingWithKids.com! As a parent of two lively little ones, I’ve made it my mission to turn ordinary days into extraordinary adventures, sharing playful activities, thoughtful toy reviews, and delightful printables to help families celebrate every moment together. 🎉👨👩👧👦🎈