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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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Pebble Art
Collect pebbles of different shapes and colours, then create your own beach masterpiece — from animals to rainbows and everything in between.
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Sand Art Mandalas
Encourage mindfulness and creativity by making mandala-style patterns in the sand using beach treasures like shells, pebbles, and seaweed.
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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.
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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.
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Fabric Sensory Tunnel
Create a cosy tunnel using a blanket and chairs, and encourage your baby or toddler to crawl through and explore. Great for movement, discovery and plenty of peekaboo fun.
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Rose Perfume
Make a simple rose-scented perfume using fresh petals and water — a lovely way to enjoy nature through scent and creativity.
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Tag
A timeless favourite, tag is all about speed, laughter, and staying one step ahead! It’s the perfect way to get kids running, laughing, and burning off energy.
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Bounce on a Trampoline
Jumping on a trampoline is pure joy—and a brilliant way for kids to burn energy, improve coordination, and get active in the fresh air.
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Bat & ball
Whether it’s a backyard game of cricket, baseball, or just keeping a ball in the air, bat and ball games are a great way to build coordination and enjoy some active play.
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Read a Book Together
Cuddle up with a good book and dive into a world of imagination. Reading together builds language skills, emotional bonds, and a lifelong love of stories.
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Animal Impressions
Waddle like a penguin, stomp like an elephant, or slither like a snake! Animal Impressions is a hilarious way for kids to move, play, and get creative together.
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Balloon Keepy-ups
Swap out regular balls for balloons and let the indoor fun fly! Balloon Ball is a safe, energetic game that challenges kids to keep the balloon in the air for as long as they can.
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Hide and Seek
A timeless favorite! Hide and Seek gets kids moving, thinking, and laughing as they search high and low for their hidden friends.
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Riddle Time! Brain Teasers for Clever Kids
Give those growing minds a fun workout with a riddle challenge! Take turns guessing silly, tricky, or classic riddles to build logic, problem-solving, and laughter.
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Balloon Rocket Race
Watch balloons zip across the room as kids explore the power of air and motion! This fast-paced experiment is part race, part physics fun.