Summer Outdoor Activities for Kids

If you’re like a lot of adults, your favorite childhood memories probably include swimming in lakes and building forts in your backyard. That’s less true for children today. It is important for healthy development to provide opportunities for Summer outdoor activities for kids.

Only 6% of children ages 9 to 13 play outside on their own in a typical week, according to The Nature Conservancy. Among preschoolers, almost half aren’t taken outside by their parents for a walk or playtime each day, says a study published in the journal Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine.

That same study found that the factors affecting outdoor play probably aren’t what you’d expect. Family income, neighborhood safety, and hours spent watching TV had little effect. What mattered was having plenty of playmates and parents who exercised regularly.

Did you know that spending time outdoors even helps children’s vision? Higher levels of outdoor activity were associated with lower amounts of myopia in primary school students. 

What can you do to help your kids spend more time outdoors? Take a look at these ideas for encouraging your children to go outside.

Benefits of Summer Outdoor Activities for Kids

1. Build healthy bodies. Sun exposure provides Vitamin D, which builds strong bones. Physical activity also promotes motor skills and agility.
   
   
2. Develop strong minds. Spending time outdoors has been found to stimulate creative thinking, problem solving abilities, and higher IQ scores. It’s good for mental health at any age.
    
3. Connect with nature. Direct contact with plants and animals can help children to understand and value the environment. They’ll be more likely to make responsible choices as they grow up.

Summer Outdoor Activities for Kids Close to Home:

• Add water. Kids love getting wet. Even if you can’t build an inground pool, you can spray the hose for your kids to run through.
• Do messy crafts. Paints and markers can be tough on your living room furniture, but almost anything goes outdoors. Draw chalk game boards on your driveway. Create clay vases or paper mache animals. Fool around with face painting or tie dying.
• Eat al fresco. Meals give you at least 3 opportunities a day to pull up a chair outdoors. Serve breakfast on your deck, and make lunch a picnic on the grass.
• Play games in the yard – Here are several fun games for the backyard:
  • • Scavenger Hunts – ask your child to find three things in the yard such as brown leaf, green leaf and white rock and bring in back within one minute. Get more ideas here.
    • Green Hunt – cut up green construction paper into one inch by 8 inch strips. Hide the green paper strips in the grass. The child must find all the strips that you have hidden.
    • Bubbles, Bubbles, Bubbles – practice blowing bubbles and chasing them. Blow bubbles, catch it on wand and child can clap or kick the bubble to pop it.
  • Sidewalk Chalk Games – Hopscotch is always a great physical activity to practice jumping, bilateral coordination and motor planning. Draw long, twisty lines with the chalk and child can try to walk on line without stepping off.  Sidewalk Chalk Fun and Games includes 30 games for outdoor fun! Check out this Sidewalk Chalk Obstacle Course.
  • Ball games – play catch with a different sized balls, beach balls or even better water balloons. Practice dribbling a ball with your feet – use a beach ball or balloon for easier control to start.  Read more on teaching children how to throw, catch and kick.

Outdoor Activities Away from Home:

1. Take a hike. Walking and hiking are great exercise at little expense. Keep comfortable shoes in your car so you can go exploring when you come across something interesting.
2. Visit a park. Take advantage of local and national parks. Look up what amenities they offer like pools, fountains, and workout circuits.
3. Go camping. Invest in some tents and other basic gear to see if your family likes sleeping outdoors. You can plan longer and more adventurous trips as you become more experienced.
4. Plan active vacations. How many vacation days do you have saved up? Choose destinations where your family can spend significant time outdoors. Go swimming in the ocean or go tent camping.
5. Ride your bikes. Take your bikes out for leisure trips or even to run some errands. Check out the bike trails in your community, and make sure to wear your helmets.
6. Go to the playground – go visit a local playground and explore all the climbing equipment, swings and slides. Supervise and assist your child as necessary. Sometimes all a child needs is some verbal reminders of how to use the equipment such as “try moving your foot to the next ladder”. If your child is fearful of movement, let him explore at his own pace. If your child has decreased safety awareness, review all playground rules before play and supervise closely.
7. Hit the pool or lake – Swimming is a wonderful fitness activity for all levels. It is a great way to strengthen muscles and improve overall endurance. Practice balance and jumping skills in the water, it makes it fun if you do fall!
8. Make a Summer Bucket List – Not sure what to do? Create a bucket list at the start of Summer with lots of outdoor activities for kids. Download a template here.

Help your children to enjoy more fresh air and unstructured play with these Summer outdoor activities for kids. They’ll be likely to grow up happier and healthier.

Don’t forget to try and limit hours online. While moderate TV time is usually okay, observe reasonable boundaries. Set a curfew on any screen time before bed, and limit internet usage apart from schoolwork. It’s okay if your children get bored, send them outdoors to play! Not sure where to start? Check out the ebook How to Limit Screen Time in Children (without losing your sanity).