Screen free activities for kids are important to us and our simple living lifestyle. As a stay-at-home mum, I want easy to arrange, cheap, fun activities – that I know will help my kids explore, learn and make lasting memories.
In this post I’d love to share with you our 11 most enjoyed Outdoor Activities for Kids. They can all be done in your own backyard. With little or no cost – using everyday items from around your home. They are all ‘screen free’ activities to give your child room for imaginary play, exploration and discovery.
1. Picnic on the lawn
The simple task of putting morning tea or lunch into a basket with a blanket and letting the kids eat outside has to be one of our favourite screen free activities. Getting children to help prepare and pack the food makes the process even more enjoyable for them. Join them if you want or let them explore their own backyard for that perfect picnic spot.
2. Sand play
Kids love sensory play, providing them with an outdoor sand pit can entertain them with hours of discovery. You don’t have to have an in-ground sand pit. There are many sand tray options available including the larger sit-in types through to smaller sand tables. Even a large plastic tub or storage box can be used. Sand from a beach or river is safe to use or bags of sand are often available from landscaping, gardening or hardware stores.
3. Bike or trike racetrack
Burn off some energy and have some healthy competition by setting up a racetrack for bikes, trikes or scooters. Use whatever you have at home to create an age-appropriate obstacle course for racing. If you have space make it wide enough for two bikes to race each other. Or you can have a timekeeper to judge the winner. Another idea for bikes or scooters is to mow a track into the long grass of your lawn. It is amazing how many hours they will entertain themselves on the shorter grass.
4. Outdoor Water play
Kids LOVE water play, another sensory activity that can keep them amused for hours. If you have an outdoor tap set up an old basin at ‘kid height’ for easy access. Likewise a plastic or outdoor table with a large container of water gives them good, safe access. Give them plastic cups, plates, bottles, scoops or whatever you can find and let their imagination take them on a learning discovery. Recycle the water by draining or scooping it into a bucket and transfer it to your garden.
5. Blowing bubbles
Bubble blowing is especially delightful to younger children. We often made our own bubble mixture by mixing water with dishwashing liquid. Fashion a thin wire into a hoop if you don’t already have a plastic one. It also provides an opportunity to practice their motor skills by popping the bubbles.
6. Treasure Hunt
Get those little minds working by setting up a treasure hunt. A simple map or a few clues will keep the kids occupied and outside. We often had a delicious treat waiting somewhere as the “treasure” which kept them interested and engaged in the activity. Older kids will need harder clues, you many even want to get them researching, digging or climbing on their hunt.
Another faster option is to give the children a container and a list of items to find outside. Here are some ideas:
- Five leaves that are different shapes
- Something orange
- A friendly bug or insect
- A stick the same length as you are
- A “perfectly” round stone
- A daisy from the lawn
- A lost toy
- Something black and white
7. Make a Mini Soccer Field
Older kids will enjoy running around together outside, especially in the warmer months when friends are visiting. A simple soccer field can be made with a few plastic cones or empty bean cans. If you don’t have a soccer ball or you want to “mix it up” try using something else. For example, we had the best game of soccer with an old exercise ball, because it was so big it made for some great entertainment.
8. Outdoor Hut Building
There are so many outdoor huts on the market today, from fabric to full playhouses. But you can make your own with sticks, blankets, or old sheets. If you have an outdoor washing line you can use the framework as the base and build it out from there. Another option is hanging old material or tarps over tree branches that are close to the ground. Older kids will happily build huts for hours if allowed access to materials – so you may need to quick trip to the thrift store if need be.
9. Set up the tent
Similar to number 8 and a great option for younger kids that can’t build their own hut, is setting up the tent. It will take a little bit of effort from the adults to set this up but once it’s done there are hours of screen free activities to be had in the tent on the back lawn. Give them the whole camping experience by bringing out the sleeping bags, deck chairs and food cooler. Older kids may even want to spend the night or cook outdoors!
10. Hang up a Laundry Line
My daughter absolutely loved imitation play especially between the ages of 2 – 7. She wanted to be like Mummy, so a lot of her play was copying what I did around the home. It is common in New Zealand for us to dry our laundry on a line outside so we made her one that she could reach from the ground. It doesn’t have to be complicated, just some kind of tight line or thin rope and a bucket full of pegs. Dolls clothes, face cloths, any smaller items can be pegged on the line – even if they aren’t wet. This simple game kept her busy for ages and was a great way of practicing her co-ordination skills, spatial awareness and responsibility.
11. Water Sprinkler
Assuming you don’t have water issues in your area, a great screen free activity for kids is running through the garden sprinkler. We have found the oscillating ones to be the most fun as you can jump, run and bounce through as the water moves. Obviously, a summer activity – that needs to be done with discernment – this is great fun and an awesome way of cooling off the kids and watering the garden all at the same time!
Why I promote Screen Free Activities for kids
I’m not opposed to screen time; in fact, I believe there are definite benefits in learning to responsibly utilize technology. Having said that, especially for younger children, I think we should limit the amount of time they are on a screen.
I know there are a lot of studies and research around this topic done by people that are a lot smarter than me. I also understand that everyone has (sometimes very strong) opinions on their choices regarding screen time.
But from my perspective and experience of motherhood these are the main benefits and reasons why I want regular screen free activities for my kids:
- Social Development – interaction, negotiation, conflict resolution, responsibility, connection
- Problem Solving – spatial awareness, learning through repetition, gravity/physics
- Physical Development – motor skills, strength, balance, co-ordination
- Sensory Development – using and discovering all senses – how does it feel, smell, taste, sound, look
- Imaginary Play – creativity, role play, imitation, make believe, pretending
- Health – fresh air, sunshine, bare feet on the grass time, fitness
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I’d love to know what your favourite outdoor, screen free activities for kids are. Drop a comment below and let me know!
Check out the Indoor Edition of – Screen Free Activities for Kids.
