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. That’s why we’ve pulled together this ultimate list of outdoor activities — all designed to get children moving, exploring, and connecting with the world around them.
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. From backyard games and nature adventures to creative outdoor challenges, you’ll find plenty of screen-free ways to turn ordinary days into extraordinary memories — no planning stress required.
Refine your search
Activity Type
Location Type
Energy Level
Mess Factor
Age
Time Duration
-
Nature Bingo
Turn a walk in the park or garden into an exciting adventure with Nature Bingo! A brilliant way to boost observation skills and encourage outdoor exploration.
-
Make Daisy Chains
Pick fresh daisies and learn to weave them into beautiful flower chains. A calm, creative outdoor activity perfect for sunny days in the garden or park.
-
Build a Bug Hotel
Help local insects by building a bug hotel using natural materials. A brilliant outdoor project that encourages kids to support wildlife and explore nature up close.
-
Bark Rubbings
Get hands-on with nature and discover the unique textures of trees by making bark rubbings using crayons and paper. A simple, creative outdoor activity.
-
Have a Picnic
Grab a blanket, pack a basket, and head outdoors for a classic picnic! It’s a simple way to enjoy good food and even better company.
-
Plant a Mini Garden
Create a mini garden in a pot, tray, or window box! This hands-on activity is a brilliant way for kids to learn about plants, nature, and responsibility.
-
Musical Statues
A timeless party game where kids dance to music and freeze when it stops. Move while frozen, and you’re out!
-
Musical Chairs
Get kids moving, laughing, and thinking fast with a game of Musical Chairs! A timeless favourite that’s perfect for parties, playdates, or rainy days indoors.
-
Nature Collage
Gather leaves, petals, and twigs on your next nature walk, then turn them into beautiful collages! A perfect mix of outdoor exploration and creative expression.
-
Go for a hike
Explore nature, get active, and spark curiosity with a family hike! Every trail offers a chance to discover new sights, sounds, and moments together.
-
Beach Cricket
Take cricket to the sand with this simple, action-packed version! Draw a circle, grab a bat and ball, and enjoy some sunny, sporty fun at the beach.
-
Beach scavenger hunt
Turn a day at the beach into an exciting adventure with a scavenger hunt! Search for shells, driftwood, footprints, and more while soaking up the sun and fresh air.
-
Build a sandcastle
Get creative at the beach with a classic sandcastle build! Whether it’s a simple tower or an elaborate fortress, sandcastle building is pure, hands-on fun for kids of all ages.
-
Animal sound game
Test your animal knowledge and make some noise! The Animal Sound Game is a hilarious way to get kids laughing, listening, and learning through play.
-
Story chain
Spark creativity and lots of laughter with Story Chain! Take turns adding sentences to a shared story and see where your imagination leads.
-
The Alphabet Game
Practice quick thinking and letter skills with The Alphabet Game! A simple, fun way to keep kids engaged at home, on the go, or anywhere in between.
-
Pebble Art
Collect pebbles of different shapes and colours, then create your own beach masterpiece — from animals to rainbows and everything in between.
-
Sand Art Mandalas
Encourage mindfulness and creativity by making mandala-style patterns in the sand using beach treasures like shells, pebbles, and seaweed.
-
Join a Youth Club
Youth clubs offer a relaxed, safe space where children and young people can hang out, try new activities and build friendships outside school.
-
Pirate Adventure
Transform your living room or garden into the high seas! Build a pirate ship, hunt for treasure, and explore the world of swashbuckling make-believe.