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.
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Activity Type
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Energy Level
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Age
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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.
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What’s the Time Mr. Wolf
A classic outdoor running game that combines counting, listening and lots of giggles. Perfect for parks, gardens or school playgrounds.
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Rock Painting
Grab some smooth stones, paint, and let kids turn rocks into mini works of art. Perfect for creative outdoor or indoor fun—and lovely to hide for others to find!
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Geocaching
Head outdoors with your phone or GPS and hunt for hidden treasures! Geocaching is a brilliant way to explore new places, get active, and add a bit of adventure to your walk.
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Sand Volcanoes
Shape your own volcano from beach sand, then pour water into the top to watch your ‘lava’ flow!
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Duck Duck Goose
Simple, energetic and full of laughter, Duck Duck Goose is a brilliant game for groups of children. Great for burning off energy indoors or out.
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Anything Boules
Play a fun, unpredictable game of pétanque using everyday items like socks, toy bricks, or crumpled paper! A great way to get kids laughing and aiming indoors or out.
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Water Play Tub
A shallow tub, some toys, and a bit of water is all it takes to keep little hands busy. Water play supports sensory development and endless pretend fun.
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Make a Mud Pie
Let children dig, mix, and decorate their own pretend pies using soil, water, and whatever nature offers. It’s a joyful, sensory-rich activity that celebrates mess and creativity.
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Would You Rather?
A simple, silly conversation game where kids choose between two options. Perfect for car rides, mealtimes, or anytime you want a few giggles.
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Build a Campfire
Learn how to safely build a campfire and enjoy the magic of firelight. Perfect for garden evenings, nature outings, or family camping trips.
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Peek-a-boo
A classic first game that never gets old! Peek-a-boo builds connection, sparks laughter, and helps babies learn about object permanence.
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Beach Can Knockdown
Take aim and test your throwing skills with this classic game of pebble tossing — perfect for competitive fun on the sand.
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Superheroes & Villains
Let kids become their favourite heroes—or invent their own! A high-energy role-play game that explores bravery, teamwork, and creative problem-solving.
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Fly a Kite
Flying a kite is a joyful, low-cost way to enjoy the outdoors together. It encourages movement, coordination, and a sense of calm focus while watching the kite dance across the sky. Materials Tools Steps Why It’s Great Safety Tips
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Ride a Bike
Head outside for a cycle! Whether on a balance bike, stabilisers, or full-sized wheels, bike riding boosts confidence, coordination, and independence.
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Hopscotch
All you need is some chalk and a bit of pavement for this throwback favourite. Hopscotch builds balance, number recognition and plenty of giggles.
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Baby Bubble Time
Blow bubbles gently and let babies watch, reach and pop them. It’s a calming, joyful activity that supports visual tracking, coordination and connection.
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Make a Bird Feeder
Help local birds thrive by crafting your own feeder from natural or recycled materials. A simple way to support wildlife and spark curiosity.