10 Fun Outdoor Activities for Kids This Summer
May 29, 2020
With the weather getting warmer, you and your children may be thinking about all the fun you will have this summer. However, with the stay at home orders and social distancing guidelines in place due to coronavirus, you may not be able to participate in all of your favorite outdoor summer activities. Don’t fear, there are still plenty of fun outdoor activities for kids to do while staying safe.
1. Set Up the Sprinkler
It may seem simple, but the classics never go out of style. These days there are a lot more options than there used to be with a ton of sprinklers designed specifically for frolicking rather than watering the yard. You can keep it simple and classic with a regular sprinkler for little ones. For older kids, you can build a mini water park in your yard with an elaborate set up of sprinklers, wading pools, slides, and weather chutes.
2. Have Family Water Balloon Fights
While we’re thinking water, why not get in on some balloon action? Water balloons are an inexpensive way to keep kids entertained for an afternoon. You can’t go wrong with a classic water balloon fight. You can divide up into teams or play every-man-for-himself. There are also a ton of water balloon games you can play that you don’t need a big crowd to enjoy.
3. Create a Sidewalk Chalk Art Walk
Pick up some sidewalk chalk and have kids fill up the driveway with hopscotch boards and other games that will get them jumping and twirling. Or, let them indulge their inner artistic genius and create drawings along a sidewalk or walking path for people to admire as they take their daily stroll around the neighborhood.
4. Set Up A Scavenger Hunt
There are so many ways to use scavenger hunts as fun outdoor activities for kids this summer. Whether you stick to your yard or span the entire neighborhood, a scavenger hunt will engage kids’ minds and get them moving as they hop from clue to clue. Check out these scavenger hunt ideas from Good Housekeeping for inspiration.
5. Backyard Olympics
The actual summer Olympics in Tokyo may have been postponed until 2021, but that doesn’t mean you can’t engage in some friendly family competition. Compete in some DIY backyard games and give out homemade medals to competitors. Real Simple has some good ideas for putting on your own backyard Olympic games.
6. Find A Special Outdoor Reading Spot
If you’ve got a little bookworm on your hands, this is a good way to allow them to continue reading (which you never want to discourage) while getting some fresh air. It can be as simple as finding a nice tree to sit against or you can set up a chair and umbrella in a corner of the yard.
7. Build a Fort
Another timeless classic on our list of fun outdoor activities for kids is building a fort. We’re not talking about a construction project for mom and dad. We’re talking about taking old blankets, towels, tarps, and whatever else kids can get their hands on and hanging them from clotheslines, trees, and picnic tables. Kids will have fun building the fort, and then they’ll want to spend even more time outside hanging out in it.
8. Camp in the Yard
Speaking of hanging out in the yard, why not try a convenient camping trip to the backyard? Set up tents and sleeping bags in the yard and spend the night out under the stars. You can start the evening with classic campfire foods (even if you don’t have a fire – that’s the beauty of having the kitchen 100 feet away) for dinner. Then you can tell stories, learn about constellations, or have a singalong!
9. Set Up a Family Car Wash
If you can find a way to make kids spend some time outside and get some chores done, you’ve hit the jackpot. You can make washing the car fun for little ones by pretending they’re running a real car wash. Drive the car around the block so you can pull it into the driveway/carwash. Just don’t expect professional quality results or anything beyond a good rinse.
10. Plant a Garden
The last thing on our list of fun outdoor activities for kids to do this summer is another classic. Kids love getting dirty and it’s a great way to get them interested in the science of growing. If you plant summer vegetables, it’s also a good opportunity to get them interested in healthy food.
Holly Springs Pediatrics is committed to providing quality care to your kids at all times. That includes being there in uncertain times. We will always prioritize the health and safety of your family. Call our Holly Springs, NC pediatric office at (919) 249-4700 to schedule an appointment or talk to a staff member.