We firmly support messy play and enjoying the great outdoors. We have so many ideas on doing outdoors with children that we’ve put together this list of 17 ideas.
No.1 – Balance Rocks
First up on our things to do outdoors list, head down to the beach, and balance rocks. Feeling a bit competitive? You could make a competition out of it. If you don’t have a beach nearby, you could go to a nearby forest/woods, collect sticks and try stacking them.
No.2 – A Bug Hunt
If you’re a bit squeamish, then this may not be for you. But you’re children are likely to love this. Head down to your garden or nearest woods with a list of bugs to find, such as:
- moths,
- butterflies,
- bees,
- woodlice and
- ants.
No.3 – Build a Kite
Great for an overcast day, head to a field or garden, and make a kite if you have a large garden. You could make them out of paper and straws or material and see what effects each material has on the kite’s flight.
No.4 – DIY Noughts and Crosses
With chalk and sticks, or if you’re feeling a bit creative, you could make the pieces out of cardboard.
No.5 – Make a hopscotch
Easy to clean up, let it rain, and fun for big and little kids.
No.6 – Climbing
Create an adventure playground for your children in your garden with our Jungle Gym climbing frames, or head down to your nearest park or woods.
No.7 – Build a Teepee
Indoors on a rainy day, outdoors on a dry day.
No.8 – Nature Scavenger Hunt
Create a list of animals to spot on a walk around a lake or in the woods with your children.
No.9 – Outdoor painting
Painting indoors is messy and fun. Painting outdoors is easy to clean and still fun! Buy the right paint, and it will wash away when the rain comes.
No.10 – Go on a flower hunt
Visit a National Trust area and go on a flower hunt. You could take some paper and draw them as you wander around. Or take photos of each of the ones you see and print them off later.
No.11 – Pirate ship game
We have an awesome ship-shaped Jungle Gym that your children would love! Alternatively, get a giant box and have a crafty afternoon with your kids decorating it to look like a boat.
No.12 – Play boules
Boules is a simple and entertaining outdoor game you and your children can play.
No.13 – Puddle Jumping
A great rainy day activity!
No.14 – Racing
Race around your garden or street on scooters, balance bikes, motorbikes, or ride on cars!
No.15 – Build a sandcastle!
The beach weather has passed, but you can still build sandcastles on sand and water tables, usable indoors or outdoors!
No.16 – Treasure hunting
Indoors or outdoors, you could make an incredible treasure for your children with clues and maps and a huge amount of fun.
No.17 – Water fight
And lastly, on our fun things to do outdoors list, we have water fights. Great fun on a sunny day or rainy day. Just make sure towels are ready, and you have a warm place to dry off.