Leah Berenson

Leah Berenson

July 24, 2024

10 Genius Ways To Get The Kids To Play Outside This Summer

Summer is the perfect time to peel kids away from screens and encourage them to embrace the great outdoors. With a little creativity and a willingness to get a bit messy, you can create a summer filled with fun, adventure, and lasting memories. Here are ten science-backed ways to kids play outside:

Picnic in the Park

Mother and two kids at a picnic
Image Credits: Unsplash

Pack a delicious and healthy lunch, grab a blanket, and head to a local park for a family picnic. The change of scenery and fresh air can spark joy and appetite. Add a frisbee, ball, or a kite to the mix, and you’ve got an instant outdoor party.

Read More: Watermelon Chill Cocktail- The Most Refreshing Drink of Summer!

DIY Water Park

Water Balloons
Image Credits: Unsplash

Beat the heat with a backyard water extravaganza. A sprinkler, water balloons, and a kiddie pool are all you need to create a mini water park. For extra fun, rig up a DIY slip-n-slide with a tarp and hose.

Start Your Own Family Garden

Kid watering a plant patch
Image Credits: Unsplash

Whether it’s a sprawling vegetable patch or a few herbs in pots on your balcony, gardening is a rewarding activity for the whole family. Assign each child their own section and let them take ownership of planting, watering, and harvesting.

Nature Arts and Crafts

Craft with stones
Image Credits: Unsplash

Unleash creativity with nature-inspired crafts. Gather leaves, rocks, twigs, and other natural materials and transform them into art. Make leaf rubbings, paint rocks, create nature crowns, or build fairy houses.

Outdoor Science Experiments

Child playing with a bubble
Image Credits: Unsplash

The backyard is a living laboratory. Experiment with water, sunlight, soil, and plants. Build a volcano, create a solar oven, or play outside with the fascinating world of insects.

Go on Nature Scavenger Hunts

Child with a map
Image Credits: Unsplash

Turn an ordinary walk into an exciting adventure with a scavenger hunt. Create a list of items to find, such as a red leaf, a smooth rock, or a bird’s feather. Or use a pre-made scavenger hunt game like GoFindIt.

Read More: Woman Orders Fancy Item from Saks Fifth Avenue and Gets Can of Tuna Instead

Try Geocaching

A geocache
Image Credits: Unsplash

Geocaching is a modern-day treasure hunt using GPS coordinates. Download a geocaching app, find a hidden cache in your area, and embark on a family adventure.

Do a “Night and Day” Comparison of Your Backyard

Child holding brown leaf
Image Credits: Unsplash

Encourage kids to observe how their backyard transforms at night. Keep a journal of the creatures they see and sounds they hear during the day, and then compare it to their nighttime observations. This can spark curiosity about nocturnal animals and help alleviate fears of the dark.

Learn New Outdoor Living Skills

Child on a surfboard
Image Credits: Unsplash

Teach kids valuable skills like identifying edible plants, building a basic shelter, or navigating with a compass or the sun. These skills foster self-reliance and a deeper connection with nature.

Leave Them Alone (Within Reason)

Kids playing at the beach at night.
Image Credits: Unsplash

Allow kids some unstructured time to explore, play outside, and connect with nature on their own terms. This fosters independence, creativity, and a sense of wonder.

Remember, the goal is to make outdoor play fun and engaging. Get involved, be enthusiastic, and create a safe and supportive environment where kids can learn, grow, and make unforgettable summer memories.

Read More: Man Forgets Wife After Toilet Break On Road Trip And She’s Forced To Walk 20km To Find Him

This content has, in part, been generated with the aid of an artificial intelligence language model. While we strive for accuracy and quality, please note that the information provided may not be entirely error-free or up-to-date. We recommend independently verifying the content and consulting with professionals for specific advice or information. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the use or interpretation of this content.