Looking for ways to make the most of warm days, backyard afternoons, or that “we need to get outside now” moment? These awesome outdoor activities for kids are packed with fun, simple ideas to help your little ones stay active, curious, and super engaged — without needing a bunch of fancy stuff.
Whether you’re after a quick setup before lunch, something sensory-rich and magical, or a full-blown afternoon project, you’ll find loads of ideas here to keep your outdoor time fresh and fun.
Why You’ll Love These Outdoor Activities
- Low prep, big fun. Most of these can be done with stuff you already have on hand.
- Perfect for all ages. Toddlers, preschoolers, and even big kids will find something they love.
- Built-in learning. These activities sneak in science, creativity, and nature exploration.
- Screen-free and open-ended. Kids can run with their imagination and lead the play.
OK! Are you ready to super charge your outdoor play with your kids?! Let’s get started!
Outdoor Activities for Kids
1. Backyard Obstacle Course
Create an obstacle course in your backyard using items like hula hoops, skipping ropes, cardboard boxes, balls and kiddie pools.
2. Backyard Mini Golf Course
Create a DIY mini golf course using pool noodles, cups, and whatever you have around the yard. Add obstacles and let kids design their own holes.
3. Sidewalk Chalk Stained Glass Art
Tape out shapes on the driveway and fill them in with bright chalk for a stained-glass effect. It’s bold, colorful, and surprisingly satisfying.
4. Sidewalk Chalk Obstacle Course
Jump here, tiptoe there, spin around — draw a course with fun challenges to get kids moving and laughing.
5. Musical Scavenger Hunt
Hide instruments (or pots, pans, shakers) and send kids on a hunt. When they find each one, play it and move on!
6. Outdoor Ice Cream Activity
Mix up pretend or real ice cream sundaes with play materials, sensory bins, or shaving cream “whipped cream.” Perfect for dramatic play lovers.
7. Make a Bubble Snake
A bubble snake is your answer to summer boredom for your kids. Very inexpensive, s uper easy to make and even more fun to do!
8. Outdoor Potions Science Activity
Set up a tray with baking soda, vinegar, herbs, flowers, and jars for kids to mix up fizzing, bubbling nature potions.
9. Make A DIY Water Wall
DIY Water Wall is an amazing STEAM activity for kids this summer! Its a great way to beat the summer heat!
10. Sticky Scavenger Hunt
Wrap contact paper around a tree or table sticky-side out. Challenge kids to stick on nature finds like leaves, petals, and feathers.
11. Watermelon Volcano
The next time you eat a watermelon, save the shell to create the best smelling volcano ever!
12. Outdoor Road Easy Activity
This is another fun and easy activity from Busy Toddler using painters tape.
13. Pool Noodle Boats
Use a few pool noodles from the dollar store to craft these cute this boats for a fun day at the beach!
14. DIY Water Gun Cup Race
This easy to set up activity by Mom Brite is perfect parties and playdates.
15. Sidewalk Chalk Magnetic Tile Puzzles
Getting outside this spring and summer has never been easier than with this fun sidewalk chalk magnetic tile puzzles activity.
16. Follow the Line Scooter Maze
Create a maze for your kids to use with their scooters!
17. Make Sun Prints
Use the sun to create cool art patterns with this sun prints activity.
18. Tin Can Stilts
Turn tin cans into a fun outdoor activity for kids by There’s Just One Mommy.
19. DIY Fizzy Sidewalk Chalk Paint
Create fizzy sidewalk chalk for this easy art and science activity.
20. Homemade Bouncing Bubbles Recipe
Make bubbles at home in this DIY activity.
21. DIY Sponge Bombs
This is a fun activity with water and sponges! A great alternative to water balloons.
22. Twig Boat Craft
Build little boats from twigs and leaves, then float them in a puddle, bin, or stream.
23. Fizzy Sun Sensory Bin
Fizzy Sun sensory bin: summer STEAM activity is an easy toddler and preschooler activity. Create a sun using baking soda!
24. Silly Grass Craft
Glue blades of grass to paper faces to make silly hairdos. Fast, funny, and totally ridiculous.
25. DIY Slip ‘N Slide for Kids
If you’re looking for an activity that’s both fun and easy to set up, why not create a DIY slip ‘n slide for your kids?
26. Splatter Painting
Looking for a fun and colorful outdoor activity to do with your kids? Look no further than splatter painting!
27. Nature Scavenge Hunt
Grab a printable or make your own list: find a feather, a smooth rock, something yellow, and more.
28. Pool Noodle Water Wall
Pool Noodle Water Wall is a fun summer activity for kids of all ages! Turn those extra pool noodles into a fun STEAM activity!
29. How to Make a Wormery
Find out what happens under the soil with this easy to make DIY Wormery from a plastic bottle that your little ones will love to make by Rainy Day Mum.
30. Sidewalk Chalk Road
Sidewalk Chalk Road is an easy and fun outdoor activity for toddlers and preschoolers using sidewalk chalk. Create a giant road this summer!
31. Backyard Construction Play Area
Add dirt, buckets, rocks, and trucks to a corner of your yard and let your kids build and dig all day long.
32. Shower Curtain Painting
Shower Curtain Painting is a fun way to paint. Set up an unique canvas for your toddler or preschooler to paint and then wash this summer!
33. Ball Painting
Paint using a ball!
34. Build a Sidewalk Chalk Maze
Create a maze using sidewalk chalk and drive trucks or cars through it.
35. DIY Soap Foam Sidewalk Paint
This is a fun and creative way to paint from Active Littles.
36. Nature Cutting Bin
This nature cutting bin is super easy to set up and will keep your preschooler, kindergartner or school age child engaged strengthening their fine motor skills and having fun outdoors!
37. DIY Window Paint
Turn your outdoors windows into canvases in this activity by Mom Brite.
38. Cotton Ball Splat Painting
is fun and takes almost no prep by There’s Just One Mommy.
39. Cardboard Canvas
Turn a cardboard box into a giant canvas in this multi-age activity by Mama Smiles.
40. How to Make Chalk Bombs
Turn your sidewalk into the most colorful on the block with this fun idea from A Little Pinch of Perfect.
41. Painted Box Cake Kids Activity
Create a delicious looking giant cake with this fun art activity. Find details at Busy Toddler.
42. Water Pistol Painting
is the one the best outdoor art activities ever by Messy Little Monsters.
43. Hammered Nature Process Art
Kids hammer leaves and petals onto paper or fabric to transfer their colors and shapes — a super satisfying process art idea.
44. Dandelion Wish Activity
Find fluffy dandelions, make a wish, and blow! Add in a little magic storytelling to make it feel extra special.
45. Nature Murals
Tape paper to a fence or table and use leaves, petals, and sticks to create big outdoor nature collages.
46. Spray Bottle Water Painting
Similar to painting with water using a paint brush but you use a spray bottle.
47. Rainbow Fish Sponge Painting
Here is a fun and easy outdoor art projects for toddlers and preschoolers.
48. Stunning Water Gun Resist Art
Check out this stunning way of painting this summer: water gun resist art! Create cool patterns and designs with water guns!!
49. Homemade Sidewalk Chalk Paint
Homemade Sidewalk Chalk Paint is a fun way to paint this summer with your toddler or preschooler. Made with only two ingredients!
50. Fly Swatter Bubbles
Fly swatter bubbles is a super easy and fun summer activity for kids of all ages. No more spilt bottles of bubble mix. Just pour it all out and make all the bubbles in the world!
51. Splatter Painting
Looking for a fun and colorful outdoor activity to do with your kids? Look no further than splatter painting!
52. Bubble Wrap Rainbow Stomp Painting
Are you looking for a fun outdoor art activity to do with your kids? Bubble wrap rainbow stomp painting is an colorful idea they will love.
53. Paint the Toys
If you’re looking for a fun and creative way to keep your kids busy this summer, why not try painting outdoor toys?
54. Pool Noodle Painting
Pool Noodle Painting is a fun and easy process art activity for summer! A great gross motor art activity for kids of all ages.
55. Bubble Printing
Bubble Print Butterfly Craft is an easy summer craft for toddlers and preschoolers using a super fun painting method – bubbles!
56. Blow Painting with Straws
Blow painting with straws is a fun and super easy to set up painting activity for kids. A fun way to paint using straws!
57. Nature Paint Brushes
Making your own DIY nature paint brushes is a fun and unique way to create art while also getting outside and exploring the world around you.
58. Egg Boats
Make boats using plastic Easter eggs and place them in water and have a race!
59. Cork Boats
Make Boats out of wine cork. Race them or include them in an ocean sensory play activity.
60. Build a Cardboard Birdhouse
Build a birdhouse out of cardboard. Find more here.
61. Nature Fairy House Building Activity
Create your own fairy house using item from the outdoors with this idea from Glitter on a Dime.
62. Soap Carving
is a simple but fun art activity using soap by There’s Just One Mommy
63. Windsock Rainbow Craft
Craft rainbow windsocks with streamers and hang them in the yard to blow in the breeze.
64. Bug Hotel
Use a jar, can, or box filled with sticks, bark, and leaves to make a home for backyard bugs and critters.
65. Mud Kitchen
How to set up a few sensory kitchen for outdoor creative play.
66. Ocean Water Slides
Turn your slide into a water park for ocean creatures in this surprising engaging activity for toddlers.
67. Pom Pom Water Table
Bring out your water table and add Pom Poms to it to make a fun Pom Pom soup!
68. Muddy Zoo Sensory Bin
Add toy animals to a bin of dirt and water — kids can stomp, splash, and “wash” their animals.
69. Giant Flower Soup
Is a great activity to do if the weather gets really warm in spring with spring flowers that are passed their prime!
70. Outdoor Oobleck Sensory Activity
by Busy Toddler is a great sensory activity perfect for outdoors!
71. Mud Sensory Play
Have a toddler playdate scheduled? Break out this sure fire idea for a good messy time!
72. A Play Dough Fairy Forest Nature Play Invitation
Set up play dough, nature treasures, and fairy figurines for a magical, build-your-own forest play session.
73. Ocean Sensory Activity
Blue water, sea creatures, and shells make for a perfect ocean-themed outdoor sensory bin.
74. Muddy Racetrack Sensory Bin
Use toy cars and mud to make messy, splashing racecourses. Add ramps or tunnels for extra excitement.
75. Shaving Cream Sensory Bin
Create an easy sensory soup using shaving cream.
76. Birdseed Sensory Bin
Have a bag of birdseed? Add it to a sensory bin or storage container and add Toy kitchen tools for a great outdoor sensory activity. And let the birds do the clean up after they are done!
77. Bird Watching Activities
Make binoculars, sketch birds, or just sit quietly and see how many feathered friends stop by.
78. Growing Sunflowers
Plant sunflower seeds and track their growth all summer long — a fun intro to gardening for kids.
79. DIY Nature Weaving Craft
Use cardboard frames and weave in grass, flowers, and leaves for a beautiful natural art piece.
80. DIY Binoculars with Pressed Flowers
Decorate toilet paper roll binoculars with dried or pressed flowers — cute, crafty, and perfect for outdoor adventures.
81. Growing a Magic Potion Garden
Plant herbs and edible flowers in a container and let kids harvest them to mix magical “potions.”
82. Nature Cuffs
Wrap tape (sticky side out) around your child’s wrist and let them press flowers, leaves, and grass to make a wearable piece of nature art.
83. Great things to Do with Sticks and Leaves
Build mini forts, leaf piles, pretend campfires, or stick mazes. Open-ended play at its best!
84. Frisbee Bowling
Stack plastic cups and try to knock them down with a frisbee. Add water for splashy fun!
85. How to Plant Flowers
Let your child pick a flower, dig a hole, plant it, water it, and watch it grow. Simple and full of wonder.
86. Popsicle Stick Bird Feeder
Glue together a popsicle stick box and fill with bird seed — hang it from a tree and wait for feathered visitors.
87. Rainbow Flower Threading Board
Use cardboard with holes and have kids thread flower stems through to make a rainbow floral display.
88. Watercolor Paints At The Beach
Bring a mini watercolor kit to the beach or sandbox and paint scenes inspired by the day.
89. Painted Rocks in the Garden
Paint smiley faces or patterns on rocks and leave them hidden in the garden — a sweet surprise for later.
90. Mystery Water Table
Fill your water table with mystery items hidden in the water. Kids guess by feel before pulling them up!
91. Nature Turtle Sticky Wall
Decorate a turtle with items from nature.
Play2Learn Toddler & Preschool Programs for Curious Toddlers
There is no limit to your toddler’s energy and curiosity. That energy and curiosity although a joy can be challenging at times. Their interest in just about everything around them is what makes them great learners. One and two year olds can soak up so much just from their senses!
But as a teacher or parent that thirst for learning can be exhausting. That is why I created this toddler and preschooler program. To help you get the most out of this time with your curious toddler without having to come up with creative ways to play and interact with them.
Play2Learn for Toddlers includes 20 Units for toddlers. Each 2-week toddler unit has 20 super easy to set up and engaging activities for toddlers 18 months to 3 years.
Play2Learn Preschool which includes 20 Units for preschoolers. Each 2-week preschoolers unit has 20 unique and easy to set up and engaging activities for preschoolers 3 years to 5 years. That’s over 800 learning activities for your toddler and preschooler at your fingertips! So many ideas you and your child will never be bored again!
These toddler and preschool lesson plans and activities will definitely keep you and your toddler and preschooler busy playing and learning!
Click here for more information: Play2Learn
Book: Exciting Sensory Bins for Curious Kids
Did you know I wrote a book of sensory bins? Click here for more information Exciting Sensory Bin for Curious Kids. Or grab your copy at Amazon.
Boring afternoons are made exciting with awesome animal-based bins, like Salty Shark Bay or Yarn Farm. Pretend play bins like Birthday Cake Sensory Play or Bubble Tea Party encourage creativity and imagination. And your kids will have so much fun they won’t even know they’re getting smarter with STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) activities like Sink or Float Soup, Magnetic Letter Hunt or Ice Cream Scoop and Count.
Designed for toddlers 18 months and up.
Book: Super STEAM Activity Book for Kids
Learning all about science, technology, engineering, art, and math sets kids up for scholastic success―and it can be so much fun! Watch kids enjoy building STEAM skills as they color friendly fish, help water find its way to tree roots, solve math problems with mazes, and more.
Find out more and grab your copy here.
Designed for preschoolers 3 years old and up.
Book: Big Book of Riddles for Kids
Riddle me this: What’s an exciting way to practice critical thinking while having a blast? The Big Riddle Book for Kids, of course! From hilarious puns to tough brain teasers, kids can build problem-solving skills with hundreds of riddles tha. t show them how to think outside the box.
- 350 riddles for kids—Have hours of fun with riddles, puns and jokes, and math and logic puzzles that’ll get their wheels turning!
- Level up their skills—Riddles get trickier as kids progress through the book, challenging them as they get better at solving puzzles!
- Double-check their work—Kids can check their answers in the back of the book with a handy answer key.
Help children expand their minds while having fun with this puzzle book for kids!
Designed for kids ages 6 years old and up.
TV Show: Curious Crafting
I’m so excited to share my crafting TV show Curious Crafting which launched in July 2022 on TVOkids and TVOkids YouTube! Season 2 aired in August 2023! My show was also nominated in 2023 for Best Live Action Preschool Series by the Youth Media Alliance Awards of Excellence.
Curious Crafting Season 1 is also now airing in Australia on ABC! Watch it here!
Set in the ultimate crafting space, Curious Crafting is a short form pre-school age series about the joy of making crafts. I lead a rotating cast of adorable little preschoolers (including my own) making magic out of common household objects.
In each episode we transform recycled items into magical crafts like a milk carton school bus, paper bag puppet or cotton pad turtle. The crafters learn and laugh their way through each activity while demonstrating what their young imaginations can create.
Curious Crafting shares the adventure and joy of making art with takeaway lessons for creating crafts at home.
This show designed for toddlers and preschoolers 2.5 years old and up.
You have so many good ideas! I have been looking for some fun outdoor activities to entertain the kids this summer. I am having our carpets professionally cleaned next week so I need something fun for the kids to do in the backyard while the cleaners are here haha. Thanks for sharing!!!