Outdoor activities for kids: Fun adventures beyond screens
Inspire a love for fresh air, movement, and imagination with these easy, screen-free outdoor activities. Perfect for backyards, parks, or anywhere under the sun!
There’s something magical about kids playing outside. The laughter, the energy, the endless creativity. But in a world of screens and busy schedules, it can sometimes feel tough to come up with simple outdoor ideas that keep kids engaged.
Whether you have five minutes or a whole afternoon, these activities are easy to set up, fun for a range of ages, and require little to no special equipment. You’ll find plenty of screen-free ways to turn ordinary days into extraordinary memories.
Refine your search
Activity Type
Location Type
Energy Level
Mess Factor
Age
Time Duration
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Forty-Forty
A classic hide-and-seek chase game where one child counts to forty, then tries to spot others before they dash to “base” and shout “Forty-forty in!”
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Morse Code Messaging
A playful way to send secret messages with light or taps, building rhythm, spelling, and patient turn-taking.
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Constellation Hunt
A calm, cosy night-time activity that helps families learn simple star patterns together while practising observation and patience.
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Knots
A hands-on way to learn useful knots through simple challenges, building confidence for shoelaces, den-building, and everyday problem-solving.
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Skimming Stones
A timeless outdoor challenge — find the perfect flat stone and see how many times you can make it bounce across the water.
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Magic Potion Mixing
Create fizzing, glittering “potions” using safe household ingredients and a big dose of imagination.
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Sand Mummy Wrap
Sculpt something silly in the sand by gently burying arms or legs — a fun and creative way to turn someone into a sand mermaid, dinosaur or superhero!
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Make a DIY Compass
Learn how to find North by making a simple compass from household items — a fun and hands-on introduction to magnetism and navigation.
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Join a Local Scouts or Guides Group
Scouting and Guiding groups offer fun, friendship and adventure. From Rainbows to Cubs to Explorers, there’s something for every age and interest.
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Elderflower Cordial
A lovely seasonal activity that starts with foraging and ends with a refreshing homemade drink. Get outside, pick some elderflowers, and make something delicious together.
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Junior ParkRun
Junior ParkRun is a brilliant, free way for kids to enjoy running in the great outdoors — all while building confidence, friendships and healthy habits.
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Teddy Bear’s Picnic
Gather soft toys, lay out a blanket, and enjoy a pretend picnic together — perfect for imaginative play and a little outdoor (or indoor!) fun.
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Simon Says
A classic listening game that gets children moving, thinking and laughing. Ideal for developing attention, coordination and self-control.
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Beach Bowling
Turn the beach into your own bowling alley with just a beach ball and some plastic cups — perfect for a breezy bit of fun in the sand.
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Go Foraging
Foraging is a hands-on way for children to connect with nature, learn about the seasons, and discover wild food — all with close adult supervision.
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Rockpooling
Explore tide pools and discover tiny sea creatures hiding between the rocks — perfect for curious little beach adventurers.
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Join a Forest School Group
Forest school sessions give children the chance to explore the outdoors, learn practical skills, and grow in confidence through nature-based play.
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Rock and Shell Hunt
A calming and mindful seaside activity where children collect beautiful shells and stones — perfect for quiet exploration and discovery.
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Pebble Towers
A mindful stacking challenge that explores balance and height using simple pebbles—great for focus, patience, and tiny engineering wins.
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Sign Up for Swimming Lessons
Swimming lessons help children stay active, build water confidence and learn essential safety skills — all while having fun with their peers.