20 Simple & Inspiring Ways to Get Outside with Your Kids

Feeling cooped up at home? Whether you’re a new parent craving fresh air or your kids are bouncing off the walls with boredom, the great outdoors is your secret weapon. It's always open, completely free, and full of opportunities to reset, explore, and connect—no complicated plans required.

When I need a change of pace, Mother’s Nature never fails to lift our moods and spark some unplugged joy:

Ride a Bike or Scooter

Whether it’s a trike, scooter, or training wheels, let them cruise the sidewalk or a quiet path. It builds confidence and burns off plenty of energy.

Make Nature Art

Collect sticks, leaves, rocks, or flowers and create something beautiful. Try painting rocks, making leaf prints, or crafting a nature collage.

Sidewalk Chalk Time

Break out the chalk and let your kids turn the driveway into a masterpiece. Try tracing shadows, creating a racetrack, or playing good old-fashioned hopscotch.

Go to the Beach

Collect shells, dig in the sand, or wade in the waves. Beaches are nature’s playgrounds.

Fly a Kite

Windy day? Perfect for kite flying! Head to an open space and watch it soar.

Nature Scavenger Hunt

Make a simple checklist of things to find—like a pinecone, a red flower, or a bird—and let your little ones go exploring. It’s a fun way to turn a walk into an adventure.

Explore a New Playground

Change up the routine with a visit to a different park. A fresh set of swings and slides can feel like an entirely new experience.

Water Play

A bucket, some cups, and a hose can provide endless entertainment. Whether it’s a DIY car wash for toy trucks or a splashy puddle party, water makes everything more fun.

Watch the Sunrise

Wake up early, bring a blanket, and watch the world wake up. Peaceful, beautiful, and a great way to start the day.

Watch the Sunset

Find a good view, cuddle up, and enjoy the show. Bonus: it can be a calming transition into bedtime.

Go for a Walk

Simple and underrated. Around the block, to the park, or through a trail—walking resets everyone’s mood.

Have a Backyard Picnic

Grab a blanket, pack a few snacks (yes, even just crackers and fruit), and head outside. A meal in the sunshine can feel like a mini vacation.

Go on a Bug Safari

Hand over a magnifying glass and go on a mini adventure in your backyard. See what creepy-crawlies you can find hiding under leaves and logs.

Plant Something Together

Whether it's a flower in a pot or a veggie garden, kids love watering and watching things grow.

Build a Fort Outside, Reading Nook or Obstacle Course

Use sticks, blankets, cardboard boxes, or even a clothesline with sheets to create a backyard fort. It becomes an instant clubhouse, reading nook, or imaginative play zone. Or set up a simple course with cones, hula hoops or boxes. Let your kids race through it again and again.

Blow Bubbles

Big bubbles, tiny ones, bubble races—this classic never gets old and works with toddlers or big kids.

Climb a Tree

Let kids challenge themselves and build confidence (with supervision, of course!). Even low branches are thrilling.

Look Up at the Stars

Stay up a little later, lie back, and stargaze. Bring a blanket and see if you can spot a constellation or shooting star.

Just Let Them Be

Sometimes the best days outside are the unplanned ones. Let your kids explore, dig, run, and get dirty. Nature will take care of the rest.

You don’t need to plan every minute. Give your kids the space to get bored outside—nature will fill the gap with curiosity and creativity. And you? You'll breathe a little deeper too.