1st July 2025
15 Best Outdoor Activities to Enjoy with Your Kids in the Sun
Get outside and play! Discover 15 fun, screen-free outdoor activities for kids that spark creativity, movement, and quality family time in the sun.
DIY Team
Looking for fun, screen-free ways to enjoy the sunshine with your kids? These 15 outdoor activities are perfect for creating memories, staying active, and making the most of warm weather. Whether it’s a weekend afternoon or a full summer break, there’s something here for every family.
1. Nature Scavenger Hunt
Turn a walk in the park into an adventure. Give your kids a checklist of natural treasures like feathers, pinecones, or butterflies and let them explore. Bonus points for spotting birds or naming flowers!
2. Backyard Obstacle Course
Set up a simple course using pool noodles, cones, and ropes. Great for burning energy and building coordination, this one’s always a hit.
3. Water Balloon Baseball
A summer twist on a classic game! Replace baseballs with water balloons for a splashy, laugh-out-loud afternoon.
4. Build a Fort or Teepee
Gather sticks, blankets, and twine to create a backyard hideout. It’s creative, cozy, and perfect for imaginative play.
5. Backyard Camping
Pitch a tent outside, roast marshmallows, and tell ghost stories under the stars all the fun of camping with none of the packing.
6. Bike Parade
Decorate bikes with streamers and stickers, then host a neighborhood parade. Invite friends for extra fun and community spirit.
7. Chalk Art Festival
Break out the sidewalk chalk for murals, hopscotch, or colorful obstacle paths. Creative and active!
8. Bug Hunt with Magnifying Glasses
Explore the tiny world underfoot. Kids can search for ants, beetles, and butterflies with magnifying glasses in hand.
9. Start a Garden Together
Whether it’s a few pots on the porch or a small backyard plot, planting flowers or veggies is a lesson in patience and responsibility.
10. Beach Day or Lake Picnic
Pack the sunscreen and sand toys for a classic day at the shore. Let the kids explore, splash, and build.
11. Nature Art & Crafts
Collect twigs, leaves, and stones to make collages or leaf rubbings. It’s a great way to blend outdoor fun with creativity.
12. Fly a Kite
Find an open space and let the wind do its thing. Simple, timeless fun that never fails to amaze.
13. Outdoor Storytime
Bring books outside and read under a tree. It’s a peaceful way to relax and keep up with summer reading.
14. Mini Family Olympics
Host a backyard tournament with sack races, frisbee toss, or three-legged races. Add small prizes to keep the energy high.
15. Cloud Watching & Story Games
Lie back on the grass, watch the clouds drift by, and let imaginations run wild. “What do you see?” becomes an instant storytelling prompt.
Sunny Day Safety Tips
Apply SPF 30+ sunscreen and reapply every 2 hours
Keep kids hydrated with water or kid-safe electrolyte drinks
Dress them in hats and sunglasses
Avoid peak sun hours (10 a.m.–2 p.m.) when possible
Parent Tip
"We do a Saturday scavenger hunt with our twins. It’s become our favorite tradition and a free way to explore the neighborhood together." - Maya L., mom of two, Seattle
Outdoor Play FAQs for Sunny Days with Kids
What are the best outdoor games for hot summer days?
Water balloon baseball, DIY obstacle courses, and nature scavenger hunts are perfect for keeping kids cool and active in the sun. Look for games that include movement and water to beat the heat while having fun.
How do I keep my kids safe while playing outside in the sun?
Use broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30+), reapply every two hours, and make sure kids stay hydrated. Hats, sunglasses, and breaks in the shade go a long way toward preventing sunburn and overheating.
What can I do if we don’t have a backyard?
Try local parks, green spaces, or even a driveway or balcony for chalk art, bubble play, or a mini bike parade. Many outdoor activities can be scaled to fit small spaces.
What age are these activities best for?
Most of the activities in this guide are designed for ages 4–12, but many can be adapted for toddlers (like cloud watching or water play) or even older tweens who enjoy building, biking, or friendly competition.
How can I encourage outdoor play without screens?
Mix a few structured games like a garden project or mini sports tournament with open-ended play. Let your kids lead the adventure and rotate activities each week to keep things fresh.
What are easy outdoor activities that don’t require special equipment?
Chalk art, bug hunts, fort building with blankets, and cloud watching need little to no supplies. You can also create obstacle courses or scavenger hunts using what you already have at home.
Can outdoor activities be educational too?
Absolutely! Many of these ideas include STEM learning like gardening, bug hunts, or designing a backyard obstacle course. Kids learn problem-solving, creativity, and teamwork without even realizing it.
Making the Most of Sunny Days
You don’t need fancy gear or expensive outings to make summer special. With a little creativity, your backyard or local park becomes the perfect playground. Whether you're chasing bubbles or spotting bugs, these small moments add up to big memories.
Author: Louisamay Hanrahan Last Updated: July 1, 2025
Sources
National Wildlife Federation Nature Activities
