In a world increasingly dominated by screens and indoor entertainment, it's more important than ever to encourage our children to embrace the great outdoors. And guess what? You don't need to break the bank to create memorable outdoor adventures for your kids of all ages–there are so many free outdoor activities for kids here that you can be sure to find something that works for your whole family.
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From a nature scavenger hunt and nature art projects to hikes and imaginative play, these activities are designed to spark creativity, build physical skills, and cultivate a lifelong appreciation for the world beyond our screens.
Whether you're a parent, grandparent, teacher, or caregiver, you'll find plenty of inspiration to help your little ones disconnect from technology and connect with the beauty of the natural world.
There are so many fun things to do for the whole family, but keep in mind you don't have to do all of these to reap the benefits of outdoor play. That said, as parents, it is up to us to choose to lead the way.
I know sometimes thinking of outdoor activities for kids can be overwhelming–especially if you aren't used to spending much time outdoors. But here's the thing…It doesn't matter if you live on a huge lot of land or have direct access to a state park in order for your kids to experience nature.
You can live in an urban area, in a suburban area, or in the country. Your home can be a house with a yard or a condo or apartment surrounded by skyscrapers–it doesn't matter.Just remember that little people don't need huge spaces.One tree can feel like a forest to them.
So find that one tree, that little grassy area in the local park, the weeds growing between the sidewalk cracks, and make it a priority for your kids to not just “see” nature but to experience it first hand.
In order to make this easier for you I've curated a list of 100 free outdoor activities for kids that will not only keep them engaged but also foster their love for nature and exploration.
100 free outdoor activities for kids
Most are free or can be done at little cost making them super accessible. We hope you find these helpful!
1. Go for a hike
2. Spend an afternoon at a playground (sit back and let them play!)
3. Find a tree to climb in your neighborhood or a nearby park
4. Have a picnic on the grass, at the beach or find a picnic bench close by
5. Let baby do some tummy time on ablanketwith their hands in the grass (or have your little kids roll down a grassy hill)
6. Go for a walk for the purpose of collecting “treasures” (rocks, acorns, pine cones, burrs, twigs, feathers)
7. Let your young kids use their “treasures” to create art
8. Sign up for aTinkergarden class
9. Lay on the grass in your own backyard and watch the clouds
10. Seek out puddles for splashing or fill a sensory bin up with water for easy water play (no need to get fancy, just some measuring cups and a whisk will do!). You could also do water balloons but if you choose this please get the reusable ones as regular balloons are horrible for the environment.
READ THIS: If you are worried about getting your kids outside in rain or snow then you need tocheck out this gear guide.
11. Set up a tent in the backyard for a simple “camping” overnight
12. Purposely go barefoot in a mud puddle. Mud play has so many benefits for kids.
13. Collect berries, leaves, and fallen pedals or leaves and make “soup” (just bring any old pot and wooden spoon outside with a little water–you'll be surprised at how long this entertains kids)
14. Looking for a fun game? Roll down a grassy hill. This will keep kinds entertained for a while.
15. Sit outside at night and listen to sounds. Talk about the sounds and what kinds of animals come out at night.
16. Draw in the dirt with a stick
17. Go on a scavenger hunt looking for specific things–things that start with a specific letter or things that are a specific color. Check out these scavenger hunts printables.
18. Usebinocularsto bird watch
19. Skip rocks in the ocean, lake, or stream
20. Build a fort outside (either with natural materials or bring some blankets and pillows out if you aren't feeling as adventurous)
21. Paint magic sticks (find a large stick, let the kids paint it and decorate it any way they want)
22. Garden (plant wildflowers, easy-to-grow veggies, let your kids weed)–we love this real garden set for our kids
23. Go outside and see if you can figure out the direction of the wind
24. Go outside during the different seasons and make a list of what makes each season (have them describe what they see, smell, feel, hear)
25. Set up a tent outside, no need to sleep there just use it as aninvitation to play
26. Make a bird feeder
27. Catch raindrops in your mouth
28. Go to a local farm to learn about the farm animals
29. Take a few of your favorite books outside and read on a blanket
30. Collect rocks and use them to build something
31. Eat a meal outside
32. Go for a walk and just talk about what you see
33. Go for a clean-up walk and use sticks to pick up litter
34. Throw rocks into a river to see how big the splash can be (find rocks of all different sizes, make guesses on how big the splash will be, throw the rocks in and talk about the outcome)
35. Have your child do school work outside (even just bringing their computer and sitting on a blanket or in a chair outside is a simple way to reconnect with nature)
36. Go outside when it's super cold and take a few deep breaths–talk about how it feels to breath cold air (you can also do this when it's humid out)
37. Visit a nearby mountain or nature preserve
38. Go for a walk around your neighborhood in the rain (you are close enough to home so getting wet isn't a big deal)
39. Make mud pies
40.Use sidewalk chalkto draw outside
41. Paint rocks
42. Play in a creek
43. Walk or bike to a destination nearby versus taking a car
44. Collect bugs
45. Help rake leaves (a mutually beneficial outdoor activity!)
46. Make a pile of leaves and roll around in the pile (then rake them back up!)
48.Play hide and seek outside
49. Finger paint using mud
50. Make bark or leaf rubbings (put paper over tree bark or leaves, use crayons to rub the paper leaving the markings of the leaf or bark)
51. Go outside to look for butterflies, bumblebees, dragonflies
52. Hunt for rocks with moss (my kids love moss!)
53. Find fallen logs or big rocks to climb
54. Make a collection of different colored leaves (see how many they can find)
55. Bring asensory binoutside and fill it with water or dirt
56. Build a snowman or make a snow angel
57. Go sledding (even if it's only a small hill!)
58. Look for wild berries and use them to make a “magic potion” (don't let them eat unless you are certain the berries are edible)
59. Go for a bike ride or a scooter somewhere local
60. Make a flower crown
61. Make a nature tic tac toe board with four long sticks–use pine cones, acorns or rocks as the pieces
62. Use amagnifying glassto identify bugs
63. Wash toys–bring a bucket of soapy water and a sponge outside and let the kids wash toys (and whatever else they can find)
64. Fly a kite
65. Play tag, jump rope, or use hula hoops (these are all fun activities that get the body moving)
66. Play catch or kick a soccer ball around (perfect for any sporty family member)
67. Go for a swim
68. Build a backyard fire (make sure to do this safely!)
69. Fill some water cans and water plants
70. Build a fairy house with anything you can collect outside
71. Go to the beach and build a sandcastle
72. Star gaze and talk about constellations
73. Look for large rocks or logs to lift up and see what's underneath
74. Go on a treasure hunt and then dig a hole and bury some of those treasures (anything small like acorns, leaves, small rocks)
75. Make a leaf boat with large green leaves and sticks–set them to sail on a river or even in your sink
76. Pick flowers and practice arranging them in a vase (this is a great Montessori practical life activity)
77. Catch fireflies
78. Build an obstacle course with natural elements (rocks, logs, trees)
79. Make a DIY pulley system–throw a rope over a tree branch or post and tie it to a bucket. See how much they can pile into the bucket
80. Flatten a cardboard box and use it to slide down a hill
81. Examine an ant hill with a magnifying glass (this is surprisingly fascinating for younger kids)
82.Find a Free Forest School nearby
83. Make or buy a mud kitchen
84. Visit a local farmer's market
85. Take a nap outside (in a hammock, on a trampoline, in a lounge chair, on a blanket)
86. Take some pots and pans outside to use as drums
87.Make a mandala out of leaves, sticks, and pebbles
88. Bring paint or crayons and paper outside and use nature to inspire art
89. Collect different natural materials in mason jars and see if you can guess what they are by smelling them–(try fresh cut grass, lilacs, dirt, mint) close the lid and leave out in the sun for a little while to help maximize the smells
90. Lay on the ground and listen to sounds–try to make a list of all the sounds you hear
91. Dig for worms
92. Go for a walk at night and “chase the moon”–just allow your little one to follow the moon and see where it leads you
93. Make a nature collage
94. Paint your driveway with washable paint using your hands and feet
95. Run through a sprinkler
96. Practice cutting grass or weeds with scissors
97. Harvest garden veggies or fruits (help pick and put them into a basket)
98. Find a local place to pick apples, pumpkins, berries
99. Plan a camping or “glamping” vacation. This is obviously not free BUT it's worth it!
100. Let your little one take you on an adventure outside where you just let them lead the way
Doing some of these easy outdoor activities out in nature is a great way for your children (yes, even older kids!) to begin to appreciate and reconnect with the outdoors.
Outdoor time for kids offers a multitude of benefits that contribute to their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It also encourages physical activity and helps children develop strong muscles, improve coordination, and maintain a healthy weight.
Exposure to natural settings also stimulates cognitive development, enhancing problem-solving skills and boosting creativity.
Additionally, outdoor play fosters a sense of independence, resilience, and self-confidence as children navigate new environments and face challenges.
Perhaps most importantly in this current day and age, it provides a break from screens and the hustle and bustle of daily life, promoting relaxation, stress reduction, and an enduring appreciation for the wonders of the natural world.
Overall, outdoor time is absolutelyessential for nurturing happy, healthy, and well-rounded children.
