71 Fun Games to Play Outside with your Kids to Spark Joy and Creativity
Frey taking a walk in the woods with her moose
Having your kids spend time outside is more than just play—it’s nourishment for their soul. The sunshine, the giggles, the grass-stained knees all weave into the fabric of childhood. Outdoor play helps children explore, grow, and discover joy in the simplest of things.
This post is all about 71 things for kids to do outside—simple, creative, adventurous ideas that will keep your kids busy, happy, and connected with God’s creation. From backyard fun to nature adventures, here are ideas to spark fresh air and fresh joy.
71 Fun Games to play outside
Classic Backyard Fun
Blow bubbles and chase them.
2. Play tag or freeze tag.
3. Ride bikes or scooters.
4. Jump rope.
5. Hula hoop.
6. Play hopscotch with sidewalk chalk.
7. Build a fort with sticks or cardboard.
8. Kick a ball around.
9. Play hide-and-seek.
10. Roll down a hill.
Games to play with your Kids
11. Build a fort with sticks and blankets.
12. Have a water balloon fight.
13. Draw with sidewalk chalk.
14. Ride bikes together.
15. Make mud pies.
16. Play tag or hide-and-seek.
17. Go on a scavenger hunt.
18. Fly kites in an open field.
19. Jump rope or hula hoop outside.
20. Roll down a grassy hill (yes, moms can too!).
Kiddos sitting on a log at the lake
Move Your Body
21. Go for a walk.
22. Try an outdoor yoga session.
23. Run a mile around the neighborhood.
24. Do a workout in your backyard.
25. Try roller skating.
26. Go hiking on a new trail.
27. Swim in a lake, river, or pool.
28. Play frisbee.
29. Try tennis or pickleball.
30. Dance barefoot in the grass.
Creative Adventures
31. Paint rocks or shells you’ve collected.
32. Sketch flowers or trees.
33. Make pressed-flower bookmarks.
34. Start an outdoor journal with your kids.
35. Take photos of tiny details in nature.
36. Build fairy houses from sticks and moss.
37. Write poetry while sitting under the sky.
38. Create chalk art murals on the driveway.
39. Try leaf rubbings with crayons and paper.
40. Decorate your sidewalk with encouraging words.
Grizzly and all 4 kids on a walk
Memories with Family + Friends
41. Roast marshmallows around a firepit.
42. Host a backyard BBQ.
43. Play flashlight tag after dark.
44. Watch a movie outside with a projector.
45. Host a family game of soccer or kickball.
46. Share stories under the stars.
47. Have a potluck picnic at a park.
48. Invite neighbors for lemonade on the porch.
49. Do a family relay race.
50. Teach your kids an old-school yard game.
Connect with Nature
51. Plant flowers together.
52. Start a small vegetable garden.
53. Go berry or apple picking.
54. Visit a local botanical garden/park.
55. Listen for bird songs and try to identify them.
56. Feed ducks at a pond.
57. Go fishing.
58. Hike at sunset or sunrise.
59. Build a birdhouse.
60. Collect seashells at the beach.
Frey with a flower crown
Little Adventures
61. Visit a farmer’s market.
62. Explore a new park.
63. Go geocaching.
64. Try camping—even if it’s just in the backyard.
65. Take a day trip to a nearby town.
66. Ride a ferry or boat.
67. Try horseback riding.
68. Rent paddleboards or kayaks.
69. Explore a local trail with a picnic lunch.
70. Go sledding (if it’s winter!).
71. Take a “yes day” adventure with your kids outside.
✨ Childhood is meant to be lived with grass stains and wild imaginations. These outdoor activities will give your kids space to laugh, play, and remember that the world is a wonder worth exploring.
Dirt is the best toy God gave parents. Let your kids explore the world through the backyard and see the place God made for them.