Most people will tell you that when they look back on their childhood, some of their best memories come from roaming around outside. Whether it was riding bikes around the neighborhood or the countless games they played with siblings and friends, getting out into the great outdoors played some role in their upbringing. Fast forward a few decades and now with the likes of Netflix binge-watching, virtual reality, and whatever new craze is capturing the imagination of younger generations, it is much easier to stay locked inside all day and miss out on everything getting outside has to offer. Here are 6 great outdoor activities for your kids to have fun and even Conserve energy at home.
Water balloons
If you want to get your kids outside during the warmer months, one activity that will ensure them hours of fun is water balloons. With the help of a water source and some balloons to fill, kids can engage in a number of activities, everything from water balloon tosses and target practice to all-out fights. You can even allow them to get creative and come up with their own games to play, just you don’t unwittingly become a target! And when the fun is all over, you can make clean up more enjoyable by making a game of it and see who can bring the most balloon remains.
Capture the flag
Capture the flag is an old school classic that is likely to keep your kids outside and help them make some memories in the process. Best played with larger groups, you can have your kids enlist the aid of other neighborhood children to really get the game going. The game is best played over a sizeable terrain and if there is a nearby field or even playground, those could make for the perfect venue for kids. If you want to add an element of difficulty or if you’re trying to expedite the speed of the game, consider setting a time limit for your kids.
Scavenger Hunt
One thing that kids absolutely love doing is finding things. The glee and sense of accomplishment they get from doing so is something that can be tapped into in a simple activity, a scavenger hunt. Whether confined to the backyard or allowed to explore a more open area, create a list of items for them to successfully locate. You can also have them “document” their findings by drawing a picture of the item. If you want to make it a bit more challenging, give them clues instead of listed items to find and let them try and figure out what they are looking for.
Critter Collection
If your kids are fans of critters, one activity that they will enjoy is creature collection. For this, all you’ll need is a small critter container, which can be purchased online or at a pet store. These containers have air holes and a clear interior so that kids can see what is going on inside. You can leave the container as is or put some dirt and leaves in it like a critter’s natural habitat. From there, begin your search. You can fill the container with everything from bugs to frogs. You can give the critters a name and keep them in the container for a little while, then let them go.
Outdoor games
Thanks to a number of great purchasable outdoor games, you can provide your children hours of enjoyment through slightly more structured activities. A few favorites include cornhole, boogie ball, and kan jam. If you don’t mind doing a little setup, you could also go for something a bit more elaborate like badminton. Your kids may even have some ideas for games they’ve played or heard of, so be sure to get their input. The only thing to be mindful of when selecting a game is its complexity as well as your kids’ capabilities. You want to find something they can do without difficulty and get a lot of enjoyment out of.
Make A Movie
If your kids are addicted to technology, one thing that may be enough to get them outside is making their own movie. At first, it may seem a bit counterintuitive, but there are a number of ways to go about this and to make shooting a movie an outdoor activity. You can encourage brainstorming outside and also have kids do some location scouting on foot around the neighborhood. When it comes time to actually shoot, outtakes and spur of the moment ideas will often keep kids outside. And when it’s all said and done, your children will be creating something they can watch and laugh about when they’re older.