A blog about the outdoors family lifestyle
30 Days of kid friendly outside activities:
Let’s Kick It Up!
Looking for some fun activities to fill your day?! With the growing concern of the virus pandemic in our country many of us have chosen, or been sent home from work, to practice self distancing and even self quarantine. With widespread school and work closures, most of us are spending lots of time at home with our kids and spouses wondering how to structure a day full of fun activities, while spending little to no money. Well the answer is simple – get outside! Self distancing, and even self quarantining, related to the current Covid-19 pandemic, does not mean you have to stay inside. Many of these activities can be done outside in the backyard of your home. I did include some activities that require traveling for those who just want to practice social distancing or bank some fun ideas for summer. I hope this list of outside activities helps some of you moms and friends get through this tough, and frankly, boring time.
Chalk it up! – Head to your garage or Amazon cart and find some sidewalk chalk. Next, head out front or out back and get creating. You can draw a mural on a cinder-block or wood fence or chalk up a hopscotch game on your sidewalk. Some people have even been writing positive messages on their driveways for their neighbors.
Take a Hike! – If you have local trail heads, now is a great time to take advantage of them. Many local trails also have a free parking day of the week if you’re looking to save a few bucks. So google up some local trails or head to your favorite one, pack some light snacks (chips, nuts, berries, trail-mix, string cheese, jerky, oranges, ect.) and water, and go! Many trails provide enough space for you and your family to keep a safe distance from other hikers. I realize not everyone lives in a community like I do in Prescott, Arizona were trails are in abundance, so if you don’t have trails or live in a concrete paradise, then take the family on a walk around the neighborhood. Psst.. Don’t forget the dog!
Hit the water! – One of my favorite outdoor activities is kayaking. There is nothing quite like paddling a quiet lake to clear your head, soak in vitamin D, and get a pretty successful upper body workout if you do it long enough. Hit a sporting goods store, or Amazon, if you don’t already have a kayak. Some lakes will rent kayaks and paddleboats so make sure to check your local lakes websites for policies, pricing, open seasons, and hours. I recommend only doing water activities with children who can swim well and always making sure they have a proper fitting life vest if you’re going to be hitting the water. If you have littles, than this might not be the most practical activity for you, but there are other ways to enjoy the lake with smaller kids. If you can’t get on the water, pack a lunch and have a picnic, take a walk around the lake, or grab some stale bread and feed the ducks!
Rock out! – If there is one thing I know, it’s that kids like rocks. Collect rocks on your property or head outdoors to a public place where you can find some bigger smooth rocks. A fun outdoors craft is painting rocks. There is no right or wrong way to do it and kids of most ages can join. You can keep it simple with non toxic paint you may have lying around the house or at your local dollar tree store. You can create garden rocks to snazz up your personal garden or use the rocks to make a collective project. You can also use stickers, stamps, markers, googly eyes, and stencils to enhance the fun. If you intend to keep the rocks outside and want to preserve your kids artwork then I recommend using a finishing gloss coat after they are painted and fully dried. Amazon would also have this if you are trying to stay home!
Picnic Lunch – Whether its to the lake, the park, the softball fields, or your backyard, a picnic lunch is an easy way to get outside. My family likes to pack sandwiches or bring a foil pack prepped meal if there is a day camp area with fire pits. Lunch outdoors, even in your backyard, can be a fun adventure for your kids to break up the normal routine. You can set up a camping or mobile hammock and bring folding chairs if you want to opt out of the blanket or don’t have a grassy area to set up on. I also like to bring lawn games like giant checkers, corn-hole, connect four, ladder ball, twister and Jenga. These make for hours of entertainment with minimal set up. Remember to bring a trash bag with you to assure you get all of your trash on the way out.
Backyard camp out – Love the outdoors but don’t want to travel? Why not pack up your camping gear and hit the backyard. Most backyards can accommodate a tent set up, if you are unable to stake it down in the ground consider using heavy blocks or weights to hold it in place. Some of the perks of backyard camping include, access to bathrooms and running water, refrigeration, and an endless blanket supply! When my son was really little I would get nervous that I would forget to pack something essential for him, but with backyard camping you have unlimited access to resources. Kids don’t care where they make their s’mores or read their campfire stories, it’s all about the camping experience. Cheap fire pits can be found on Facebook market place and occasionally in the deals section on Amazon. If you live in an apartment complex or have limited backyard space, you can also set up a tent in the living room or create a fort like sleeping area that can accommodate a family style slumber party accompanied with “candle s’mores” and shadow puppet shows. Always check for fire restrictions in your area before having a campfire.
Plant it up! – Spring time is here! Buy some seasonal fruits, veggies, herbs, or flowers, and teach your kids how to garden. Inexpensive garden equipment, like gloves and shovels, can be found at most dollar stores and online. If you don’t have any good soil to plant your garden in your back or front yard, then you can purchase large gardening pots, along with soil, or even create your own movable garden. You can create your own raised garden bed with items like pallets, wash bins, sandboxes, laundry hampers, ect. Get creative, and watch the fun bloom. Some plants require that you plant the seedlings indoors before transferring them to potted soil, make sure to do a little research on the seeds you buy. What could be better than teaching your kids a new skill, making your property more beautiful, and getting some fresh fruits, veggies, flowers, and herbs from your very own garden?!
It’s important to make sure when you buy seeds that they are seasonally appropriate and able to grow in your region.
Scavenger Hunt! – With Easter right around the corner, it’s the perfect time for a family scavenger hunt. Whether you use the plastic eggs most of us moms have accumulated over the years, or you choose to create a full out scavenger hunt with a map and clues, scavenger games are sure to entertain. If you have kids of different ages and want to make an egg hunt fair, assign them each a specific color of eggs to find, that way everyone gets the same amount of candy, change, or whatever “treasure” you have laying around the house. For older kids, creating a scavenger hunt with a treasure map and clever clues can be a fun way to teach them how to problem solve and work together. You can also create a scavenger hunt in the form of an “I Spy” or “Bingo” game. If you don’t want to spend time creating a scavenger hunt yourself, you can use websites like Etsy for inspiration or use the one I created below. A scavenger hunt allows you to bring fun and excitement to your backyard, neighborhood, or local park while spending little to no money.
Fishing! – Fishing is a great excuse to get outside and spend some time with the family. Most states have lakes or rivers that you can fish easily from shore. If you have little ones consider using a baby carrier like we did with Mason to keep your babies safe from the casting lines and water. Fishing licenses can be purchased for relatively cheap at any sporting goods store, Walmart, or the local game and fish office. Bring an empty cooler with you for fish that you plan to keep and cook. I always make sure to bring some water and snacks for the family while we are out in the woods or on the shore. Also check with your local game and fish, or the areas website to know if the fish are safe to eat, or if it is a catch and release only policy. If you live in an area with tadpoles or frogs, fishing nets can also be a lot of fun for the kids! Don’t forget the sunscreen if you are planning on spending a good amount of time in the sun or on the lake.
Pinecone crafts – If you live in an area with Pine trees, having the kids collect the pinecones is half the fun! So walk outside, drive to the forest, or upload the craft section on Amazon, and find some pine cones. Open Pintrest, and search “kid pinecone crafts” for ideas on wreaths, Christmas trees, pinecone creatures and more. You can also follow the directions from the photo below to make your very own pine cone bird feeder. In addition to pinecones, you will need peanut butter, string, and birdseed for this craft. After hanging this bird feeder you can sit outside and do some bird watching. The neighborhood birds will thank you!
Backyard BBQ – Ditch the electronics, grab some steaks, burgers, chicken, or dogs, and hit the grill. A plus side to grilling for my family is that the boys will eat more veggies if they are grilled! We like to grill chopped bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, onions, and squash in a metal grill basket. Corn on the cob is my sons favorite BBQ side! Eating outside can be a chance to enjoy the sun and a meal “unplugged” with the family. Most of us have a grill at home, but if you don’t, you can still cook up great BBQ grub indoors and then head outside for a backyard picnic.
Hop on a bike! – Neighborhoods, long driveways, parks, and trails make ideal environments for a kid friendly bike ride. If you have toddlers who aren’t riding bikes yet, you can find bike attachments that you can pull behind your bike. With all the extra time most of us are spending at home it might also be a good idea to teach your littles to ride a bike! Bikes can be found cheap, and sometimes even free, on Facebook marketplace and your local resale websites like Craigslist if you’re on a tight budget. Biking can be great exercise for the entire family.
Kick it up! – Kickball is an easy game for most ages. Not only can your littles join, it’s also a great way for the entire family to get some fun exercise. You can make it a competitive scoring game or just practice throwing the ball to each other to kick. My son loves chasing after the ball more than kicking it himself. Most local parks and sports complexes have some sort of baseball, softball, soccer, football field, or parking lot you could convert into a kickball arena. Have fun and kick it up!
Collecting flowers and leaves – Talk about a blast from the past! Head outside and help your kiddos find some leaves or flowers. If you have kids that like to color, you can place the leaves under a piece of paper and have them color over it with a crayon or colored pencil to create a unique “copy” drawing. Another easy nature themed craft would be to place non toxic paint on one side of the leaves or petals and press onto a canvas or paper, to create a stamp like effect. You can also choose to press the leaves by placing them in a book to create a nature preservation scrapbook. Another slightly more advanced use for these foraged flowers would be to let them dry out or bake them so you can create your very own potpourri.
Nature Yoga – Nature yoga is just like regular yoga, but outdoors! Garden yoga for kids if great because it puts an emphasis on garden theme poses easy enough for your kiddos to follow. Yoga is a wonderful activity for the entire family because it improves concentration, coordination, and balance. You can grab a workout mat, yoga mat, or the mat your kids use to tumble on and head outdoors to teach them about patience, while enforcing healthy habits! Besides feeling good inside and out, nature yoga is free, with the exception of the one time purchase of the mats, and can be done daily, weather permitting! Below I attached a free print out for some suggested poses and instructions that are parent and kid approved.
Splash it up! – With spring here, and summer fast approaching, nothing quite says outdoors fun like a water themed extravaganza. First would have to be the classic slip and slide. You can purchase one online for seasons of fun or even make your own with material lying around the house such as camping tarps, baby shampoo, and a garden hose! A water balloon fight or squirt gun war are also fun ways to get outside and have some cheap water fun. When I was a kid we didn’t have preloaded water balloon fillers like the ones they sell now online at Amazon and Walmart. I strongly recommend buying one of these multi balloon fillers to save yourself time and make it easier for the kids to help you set up. Squirt guns can be found at the local dollar store. If you are looking for more of a super-soaker for your older kids, I would check Walmart first. If you don’t have any extra cash or your kids are too little for water wars, than simply fill up a plastic or inflatable baby pool, laundry hamper, old bin, or whatever you have, and let the kids play in the water. My son loves his plastic pool because Momma lets him swim sans diaper! Always make sure an adult is supervising kids around any sized body of water.
Shed hunting – Shed hunting is essentially looking for antlers that have fallen off an animal. If you live in or around an area that has deer or elk, than shed hunting can be a lot of fun, especially if you are a camping or hunting family! For non hunters, shed hunting is a fun way to explore nature with an objective to focus on without hurting any animals. There are specific seasons where deer and elk shed their antlers, but antlers can be found year round because they don’t decompose. If you go to areas near natural food and water sources you are more likely to find sheds. My family likes to go shed hunting in Williams and Ashfork, Arizona. Antlers can be sold, displayed on walls, or placed on rock lawns as decor, but lets be honest, walking around the woods with your kids is half the fun.
Clean it up! – If you have a local park, trailhead, or open area that could use some help cleaning up than why not teach your kids to give back to their community while enjoying some sun. Grab some gloves, trash bags, trash pickers, and water and you are good to go. My son is always drawn to trash when we go to the baseball fields or park so this is an easy one for us to get outside and help make a difference. If your kids aren’t into picking up trash then try making it a competition on who can pick up the most. This gives them incentive to keep looking and makes it more fun. Your kids are never to young to learn about giving back to their community.
Zoo! – We have a family membership to our local zoo sanctuary, Heritage Park. My son loves being pulled in a wagon while looking at all the animals, chasing the free roaming chickens, and petting the goats. It has some pretty good hills to get some exercise in too. We also like to visit the Phoenix Zoo, it may be more expensive but there are coupons and promotional discounts available throughout the year, along with membership rates for guests and family. The zoo is a great place to let your kids run around while still being able to keep a good distance from other groups. If you have a newborn, the zoo is also a great place to walk off some of that baby weight with the stroller. A plus side to zoo walking is that babies usually are free admission into the zoo. Make sure to pack some snacks so you don’t have to worry about cranky hungry kids or overpriced concession food.
Star gazing and astrology lessons – Star gazing is a great outdoors activity because you can do it just about anywhere! After the sun sets, head out to your favorite open field, camp spot, or the good ole backyard and grab some chairs, or lay down on a blanket, and enjoy. A truck tailgate works great for this too and can be spruced up with some blankets and pillows so help everyone stay warm and cozy. Learning the different constellations can be a fun way to engage your kids and teach them about space. If you have a kid that is very interested in space, consider getting them a basic telescope so you can witness more astrological events together. If you live in a densely populated city, I would recommend traveling to a lookout or park outside of city limits to get the best view of the night sky.
Hit the road! – Although taking a drive isn’t exactly an outside activity, it is a chance to get to see nature from the comfort of your car. Whether it’s a windy cold day, or you just want to get out of the house, taking a drive around the neighborhood, woods, or even the local car wash can be fun. We mostly take the truck out so we can get through the unmaintained dirt roads, but there are still many paved adventures you can take if you have a car. If you are lucky enough to live somewhere half as beautiful as I do, then get in your car and take the kids out on a sight seeing adventure!
Create an obstacle course – Creating a backyard obstacle course is twice the fun because you get to work together to set it up and try out different options, and then you get hours of child entertainment watching them compete with it. You are practically tricking them into exercising! You can make an obstacle course out of virtually anything. Some easy to use items that you might already have laying round would be; wood planks for balance beams, pool noodles for hurdles or obstacle walls, hula hoops, any playground equipment, rope, tires, buckets, you name it!
Drive-up Lemonade stand – Having a lemonade stand can be a great way to teach your kids about working and money. Lemonade is cheap to make and an easy start up business for your young entrepreneur. Consider doing a drive up lemonade stand to make it easier for people to participate in and maintain a healthy distance from the public. If you have some extra wood, pallets, tables, boxes, and paint laying around you can create a pretty sweet lemonade stand with minimal effort. Kids are never too young to start learning how to manage money, work hard, and achieve goals.
Park Day! – It’s no secret that kids love parks. What is a secret, is that parents like me love them more! I can’t tell you how much better my son sleeps at nap time after spending as little as forty-five minutes at the park. Whether you don’t have a backyard or you just want to let your kids run around some, the park can be a great outdoor family outing. Parks are great because there are open fields for sports, picnics, kite flying, Frisbee throwing, and of course park equipment that you don’t have at home. So load up the car with some water, snacks, and the kids, and head on over to the park.
Backyard Movie Night! – Something my family and I have been wanting to do for awhile is invest in a movie projector so that we can have an outdoors movie night experience. Projectors come in all different sizes and quality, so make sure to do some research before purchasing the cheapest one you see online. You will also need some sort of projector screen or large light colored material to project the movies on. If you are friendly with your neighbors, consider mutually investing in a projector so that all of your kids can enjoy a “drive-in like” experience right in your back yard. Grab some blankets, pop some popcorn, and enjoy countless hours of movie fun right in your backyard under the night sky!
Puppet show / Play – Kids love to play and create. You can use dolls, puppets, or draw characters and tape them to popsicle sticks. If you put a blanket over a table or cut a hole into a large box you can instantly create a theater for your kids puppet show. If your kids are really little, using a puppet to read them a book can be a fun interactive activity as well. If you have kids that like to dress up, let them put on their favorite costumes and create an exclusive play just for you. Hang a sheet or use props to help them set the scene. Watching your kids imagination at work is one of the coolest things to experience as a parent.
Deer Farm – A local northern Arizona year-round favorite is the Grand Canyon Deer Farm. We recently took our son there for the first time and he absolutely loved it. It is a ten acre outdoor wildlife exhibit where you can feed and pet deer. They have a variety of other animals to see such as my personal favorite, wallabies, as well as; reindeer, goats, mini horses, peacocks, llamas, chickens, goats, and even a zonkey! It is spacious enough where you can explore with your kiddos without being on top of other groups. We even had the whole park to ourselves! The family that runs the place is very friendly and we can’t wait to go back and feed the deer again. A bonus is that kids 2 and under are free!
Re-imagine your favorite childhood game! – Think outside the box for this one. You could set up a mini golf course or croquet course. You could spray paint the grass different colored circles to represent a twister board. You could use giant lawn dice for Yahtzee. You could create a giant matching card game with printer paper sized cards. You could recreate Battleship with a kids pool, some noodles, solo cups, tarp or netting, and a pong ball. You could play hot potato with water balloons. Whatever it is, find a way to re-imagine something familiar while thinking big!
Bearizona! – Bearizona is another northern Arizona favorite we love to frequent. Bearizona is a drive-through wildlife park located in Williams, Arizona. You drive through several fenced exhibits featuring bears, wolves, deer, mountain goats, donkeys, bison, and more! We like to take our kiddo out of his car seat and let him cruise on my lap in the passenger seat while we drive through. Most cars drive at a crawl speed so you can take it all in. The park has strict rules on which exhibits you can have your windows down so make sure you read every sign thoroughly before entering. Bearizona also was a walk-through section featuring jaguars, otters, bobcats, bears, fox, and more. The walk though part is still open during the COVID-19 pandemic, but all of the other services and activities such as the shows, petting zoo, bus rides, restaurant, and gift shop have been temporarily suspended. I strongly encourage you all to come back when those features are available! You can even bring your own food and drink in to cut down on extra spending. I recommend getting a membership if you plan on visiting more than once a year and/or have a large family to keep the cost manageable. The membership has been great for us because it covers the entire cars entry fee and is close enough for us to make day trips to often.
Create your Oasis – Create a backyard in which you and your family wants to spend time in. Whether that’s investing in a new grill, a bounce house, bubble machine, toy car, hot tub, water toys, sand box, swings, or even a hammock. Many of these items can be found second hand or on sale. Being “stuck at home” doesn’t have to be a negative thing. You won’t feel quarantined when you have a fun backyard to kick back and relax with your family in. So let your kids run around, play, create, build, grow, bounce, and learn, while soaking up that Vitamin D right outside your home!
One Comment on “30 Days of kid friendly outside activities:”
My adventure co-pilot
Our newest crew member
This list is great! So many fun ideas the whole family will enjoy. We are actually planning a camping trip now and I’m printing this out! The kids will love the obstical coarse and I cant wait to go shed hunting!!!