75 Easy, No-Prep Outdoor Activities for Kids

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Looking for fun and easy ways to get your kids outside and active without any prep work? Look no further than these no-prep outdoor activities for kids. From scavenger hunts to water balloon tosses, these ideas are perfect for kids of all ages and can be enjoyed in your backyard or at a nearby park.

Fun and Easy Outdoor Activities for Kids

Spending time outdoors is a great way for kids to explore the world around them, get some fresh air, and burn off some energy. However, sometimes it can be a challenge to come up with fun and engaging outdoor activities that don’t require a lot of prep work or materials. The good news is that there are plenty of no-prep outdoor activities that are perfect for kids of all ages. These activities require little to no planning or materials and can be enjoyed in your backyard or at a nearby park.

Not only are no-prep outdoor activities fun, but they’re also great for promoting physical activity, creativity, and exploration. Whether your child is a toddler, preschooler, or in elementary school, there are plenty of outdoor activities that will keep them engaged and entertained. Plus, spending time outdoors has been shown to improve mental health and reduce stress, making it a win-win for both parents and children.

We’ll be sharing some of our favorite no-prep outdoor activities for kids. These activities are simple, easy to set up, and use materials that are readily available in nature or around your home. From scavenger hunts to sidewalk chalk art, we’ll give you plenty of ideas for outdoor fun that your kids will love. So, let’s get started and get your kids off the couch and into the great outdoors!

WANT TO TRY ONE OF THESE NO-PREP OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS LATER? PIN IT NOW, SO YOU CAN FIND IT EASILY WHEN YOU NEED IT!

75 Easy, No-Prep Outdoor Activities for Kids

75 No-Prep Outdoor Activities for Kids

1. Go on a nature walk.

Take a stroll through your local park or nature reserve and see what interesting plants, animals, and insects you can find. Bring along a magnifying glass or binoculars to get a closer look.

2. Have a picnic.

Pack a basket of sandwiches, fruit, and snacks and head to a nearby park or beach for a fun, low-key picnic. Don’t forget a blanket to sit on!

3. Play catch.

All you need is a ball or frisbee to get a fun game of catch going. You can also try playing some other outdoor games like tag, hide-and-seek, or kickball.

4. Do some sidewalk chalk art.

Draw some colorful pictures or hopscotch squares on the sidewalk with some chalk. You can also play a game of tic-tac-toe or hangman.

5. Make a bird feeder.

Use some string or yarn to hang a pinecone covered in peanut butter and birdseed from a tree branch. Watch and see what types of birds come to visit!

6. Play in the sprinkler.

On a hot day, running through the sprinkler can be a refreshing way to cool off. If you don’t have a sprinkler, you can also use a hose to create a fun water play area.

7. Go on a scavenger hunt.

Create a list of items for your child to find outside, like a yellow flower, a smooth rock, or a feather. See who can find all the items on the list first.

8. Fly a kite.

Take advantage of a windy day and fly a colorful kite in an open field or park.

9. Have a bug race.

Find some friendly bugs like ladybugs, beetles, or grasshoppers and have a race to see which one can crawl or jump the fastest.

10. Play in the sandbox.

If you have a sandbox in your backyard, let your child use their imagination to build sandcastles, tunnels, or roads for their toy cars.

11. Go on a bike ride.

Take a ride around the neighborhood or on a nearby bike path. Make sure everyone has a helmet and knows the rules of the road.

12. Play in the leaves.

In the fall, rake up a pile of leaves and let your kids jump and play in them.

13. Have a nature scavenger hunt.

Create a list of things to find in nature like acorns, pinecones, rocks, and leaves. See who can find all the items on the list first.

14. Play with bubbles.

Bring out a bottle of bubbles and see how high you can make them go or how many you can pop.

15. Have a water balloon fight.

Fill up some water balloons and have a fun and refreshing battle with your kids.

16. Visit a local farm.

Check out a nearby farm or orchard and see what animals and crops they have. You can even pick your own fruits or vegetables!

17. Play a game of horseshoes.

If you have horseshoes and stakes, set up a game and see who can get the most points.

19. Make a nature craft.

Collect some items from nature like leaves, sticks, and flowers and use them to create a fun craft like a nature collage or wreath.

20. Have a dance party.

Turn up some music and have a dance party in the backyard. You can even make up some silly dance moves together.

21. Go stargazing.

On a clear night, lay out a blanket and look up at the stars. See if you can spot any constellations or shooting stars.

22. Play with a frisbee.

Have a fun game of frisbee with your kids in the park or at the beach.

23. Draw with sidewalk paint.

Make your own sidewalk paint with water and food coloring and let your kids draw colorful designs on the pavement.

24. Take a hike.

Go for a hike in a nearby nature reserve or forest and see what interesting plants and animals you can find.

25. Play with water guns.

Fill up some water guns and have a fun water battle with your kids.

26. Build a fort.

Use sticks, branches, and leaves to build a fort or hideout in the woods or in your backyard.

27. Play with a ball.

Play a game of soccer, basketball, or volleyball with your kids in the park or in your backyard.

28. Go on a bug hunt.

Look for different bugs like ants, spiders, and beetles and see how many different kinds you can find.

75 Easy, No-Prep Outdoor Activities for Kids

29. Have a picnic in the backyard.

Spread out a blanket in your backyard and have a fun picnic with your kids.

30. Play with a parachute.

Use a large bed sheet or parachute to play fun games like parachute ball or popcorn.

31. Play hide and seek.

Find a large open space like a park or backyard and play a fun game of hide and seek with your kids.

32. Go birdwatching.

Bring some binoculars and a bird guide book and see how many different birds you can spot.

33. Play hopscotch.

Draw a hopscotch grid on the pavement with chalk and have fun playing this classic game.

34. Go on a photo walk.

Give your kids a camera or a phone and ask them to take pictures of interesting things they see on a walk.

35. Play with a hula hoop.

Hula hoops are a great way to get some exercise and have fun.

36. Have a nature art session.

Collect some leaves, flowers, and sticks and use them to create a nature-themed art piece.

37. Play with a jump rope.

Jumping rope is a fun and challenging way to get some exercise and have fun.

38. Have a picnic scavenger hunt.

Pack a picnic and make a list of things to find in the park or backyard, like a red flower, a bird’s nest, or a piece of litter. Have a picnic and search for the items on the list.

39. Play with a beach ball.

Have fun bouncing a beach ball back and forth or invent your own games to play with the ball.

40. Go on a bike ride scavenger hunt.

Create a list of things to find while on a bike ride, like a red mailbox, a yellow fire hydrant, or a black cat. See who can find all the items on the list first.

41. Play with sidewalk chalk.

Draw pictures or hopscotch grids on the pavement with colorful chalk.

42. Have a water relay race.

Fill up some buckets of water and have a fun relay race with your kids using sponges or cups to transfer the water.

43. Play with a frisbee golf set.

Set up a frisbee golf course with cones or baskets and see who can get their frisbee in the most targets.

44. Go on a tree scavenger hunt.

Find different types of trees in your neighborhood or nearby park and take pictures or draw sketches of them.

45. Go on a color scavenger hunt.

Choose a color and try to find as many objects in nature that match that color.

46. Play tag.

Play a fun game of tag with your kids and come up with different variations like freeze tag or tunnel tag.

47. Have a mini Olympics.

Set up a mini obstacle course or series of challenges like jumping jacks, hopscotch, and balancing a book on your head and time each other to see who can complete it the fastest.

48. Build a birdhouse.

Use recycled materials or purchase a kit to build a birdhouse and hang it in a tree to attract birds to your yard.

49. Play with a frisbee disc golf set.

Set up a frisbee disc golf course with cones or baskets and see who can get their frisbee in the most targets.

50. Go on a cloud-watching adventure.

Lie on your back and watch the clouds go by, trying to identify different shapes and figures.

75 Easy, No-Prep Outdoor Activities for Kids

51. Have a rock painting session.

Collect some rocks and decorate them with paint or markers to create fun designs or messages.

52. Play with a jump ball.

A jump ball is a ball with a handle that kids can hop on, making it a fun and active outdoor activity.

53. Have a nature treasure hunt.

Hide small objects like acorns or pinecones around your backyard or a nearby park and have your kids search for them.

54. Play nature bingo.

Create bingo cards with nature-related items and see who can fill up their card first.

55. Have a water balloon toss.

Fill up some water balloons and have a fun game of toss with your kids.

56. Have a leaf race.

Drop some leaves into a stream or shallow pool and see which one crosses the finish line first.

57. Have a nature photo contest.

Give your kids a camera or phone and challenge them to take the most interesting or creative nature photos.

58. Have a shadow puppet show.

Use your hands and the sun to create shadow puppets and put on a fun show.

59. Play nature I-Spy.

Take turns choosing an object in nature for others to find, and give clues to help them locate it.

60. Have a rock skipping competition.

Find a calm body of water and see who can skip the most rocks across the surface.

61. Play follow the leader.

Take turns leading each other on a fun outdoor adventure, following each other’s movements and actions.

62. Make a flower crown.

Collect flowers and foliage from your yard or nearby park, and use string or wire to make a pretty crown.

63. Play hopscotch.

Draw a hopscotch grid with chalk on the pavement and have fun hopping and jumping along the squares.

64. Go on a bike ride.

Take a leisurely bike ride with your kids through a park or bike trail.

65. Have a treasure hunt.

Hide small objects around your backyard or local park and provide clues for your kids to find them.

66. Play catch.

Throw a ball, frisbee, or other objects back and forth with your kids.

67. Make mud pies.

Use mud, water, and natural materials like leaves and flowers to create imaginary culinary delights.

68. Go on a bike ride and play “I Spy.”

Take turns spotting objects in nature or along the trail and see who can find the most.

69. Play “Red Light, Green Light.”

Take turns being the traffic light and call out “red light” to make the players stop and “green light” to make them go.

70. Have a hula hoop competition.

See who can keep the hula hoop up the longest or come up with creative moves.

71. Make a nature collage.

Collect leaves, flowers, and other natural materials and use glue or tape to create a beautiful collage.

72. Play “Capture the Flag.”

Divide into two teams and try to capture the other team’s flag without getting tagged.

73. Have a water gun fight.

Fill up some water guns or spray bottles and have a fun water battle.

74. Play “Red Rover.”

Divide into two teams and try to break through the other team’s line by calling out “Red Rover, Red Rover, send (player’s name) over.”

75. Play “Duck, Duck, Goose.”

Sit in a circle and take turns tapping each other on the head and calling out “duck” or “goose.”

WANT TO TRY ONE OF THESE NO-PREP OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS LATER? PIN IT NOW, SO YOU CAN FIND IT EASILY WHEN YOU NEED IT!

75 Easy, No-Prep Outdoor Activities for Kids

Toddler and Preschooler Curriculums, Books & TV Show!

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

Designed for toddlers 18 months and up.

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 that 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 airs in the summer of 2023! We were also nominated in 2023 for Best Live Action Preschool Series by the Youth Media Alliance Awards of Excellence.

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. 

WANT TO TRY ONE OF THESE NO-PREP OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS LATER? PIN IT NOW, SO YOU CAN FIND IT EASILY WHEN YOU NEED IT!

75 Easy, No-Prep Outdoor Activities for Kids

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