Spending time outdoors with young children is a wonderful way to encourage creativity, physical activity, and a love of nature. You don’t need a large garden or expensive equipment—simple activities can turn any outdoor space into a place of adventure and learning. Playing outside helps with motor skills, sensory exploration, and social development, making it an essential part of childhood. Whether you have a back garden, a patio, or just a small area to play in, there are plenty of fun and engaging activities to keep little ones entertained. Below are ten exciting outdoor activities that will provide hours of fun while supporting your child’s development.
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What are the benefits of going outdoors with kids?
1. Physical Health Benefits
- Encourages exercise through running, climbing, and active play.
- Helps develop gross and fine motor skills through activities like balancing, jumping, and digging.
- Supports a strong immune system with exposure to fresh air and natural elements.
- Provides Vitamin D from sunlight, which is essential for bone health.
2. Mental and Emotional Well-being
- Reduces stress and anxiety by promoting relaxation and mindfulness.
- Helps improve mood and emotional regulation through exposure to nature.
- Encourages creativity and imagination through open-ended outdoor play.
3. Social Development
- Encourages cooperation and teamwork in group activities.
- Provides opportunities to develop communication skills during outdoor games.
- Teaches problem-solving and resilience as children navigate different outdoor challenges.
4. Cognitive and Learning Benefits
- Enhances curiosity and scientific thinking through nature exploration.
- Encourages problem-solving in activities like building dens or scavenger hunts.
- Improves concentration and focus, which can help with learning in school.
5. Connection to Nature
- Helps kids develop an appreciation for wildlife and the environment.
- Encourages responsibility and care for plants and animals.
- Fosters a lifelong love of nature, leading to sustainable habits in the future.
6. Better Sleep Patterns
- Exposure to natural light helps regulate sleep cycles, leading to better rest.
- Physical activity outdoors leads to deeper, more restful sleep at night.
7. Strengthens Family Bonds
- Provides opportunities for quality time together without screens.
- Creates special memories through adventures, walks, and playtime.
- Encourages positive parent-child interactions through shared experiences.
How Long Should My Child Spends Outdoors Every Day?
Experts recommend that children should spend at least 1 to 3 hours outdoors every day, depending on their age and activity levels. Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
General Guidelines for Outdoor Time
- Toddlers (1-3 years): At least 1-2 hours of outdoor play daily, broken up into smaller chunks.
- Preschoolers (3-5 years): Around 3 hours of active outdoor play spread throughout the day.
- School-age children (5+ years): At least 1-2 hours outdoors, with a mix of free play and structured activities.
NHS Guidelines for under 5’s for active play are 180 minutes (3 hours) every day. That is indoors and outdoors.
Factors That Influence Outdoor Time
- Weather Conditions: Even in colder months, outdoor time is beneficial as long as kids are dressed appropriately.
- Family Schedules: If weekdays are busy, try to maximise outdoor time on weekends.
- Access to Green Spaces: If a garden isn’t available, parks, nature walks, and outdoor playgroups can help.
Why Is Outdoor Time Important?
Regular time outside improves physical health, mental well-being, social skills, and cognitive development. Even short outdoor play sessions (e.g., 15–30 minutes at a time) can have significant benefits.
Keep reading for play ideas outdoors with toddlers and young children!
What if we don’t have a garden? How can my child get enough time outdoors?
Not having a garden doesn’t mean your child has to miss out on outdoor play. Here are some simple and creative ways to ensure they still get plenty of fresh air and active time outside:
1. Visit Local Parks and Green Spaces
- Find nearby parks, playgrounds, or nature reserves where your child can run, climb, and explore.
- Look for different environments like woodlands, lakes, or meadows to add variety to their outdoor experiences.
2. Take Walks and Explore Your Neighbourhood
- Go on nature walks and turn them into fun adventures, such as a scavenger hunt for leaves, flowers, or insects.
- Walk to school or run errands on foot instead of using the car.
3. Use Playgrounds and Sports Fields
- Take advantage of local playgrounds for climbing, swinging, and social play.
- Bring a ball, frisbee, or skipping rope to open spaces for fun games.
4. Join Outdoor Classes or Groups
- Look for outdoor toddler groups, nature clubs, or kids’ fitness classes in your area.
- Some libraries and community centers host outdoor storytimes or messy play sessions.
5. Make the Most of Your Balcony or Front Step
- Set up a mini outdoor play area with chalk, bubbles, or a small tub for water play.
- Grow potted plants or flowers to give kids a chance to connect with nature.
6. Plan Weekend Adventures
- Take day trips to the countryside, the beach, or a farm to let your child explore new environments.
- Visit National Trust sites or other family-friendly outdoor attractions. We love our membership!
7. Get Creative with Outdoor Play in Urban Spaces
- Turn an empty pavement or car park into a fun play zone with chalk drawings or hopscotch.
- Bring ride-on toys, scooters, or bikes to a safe area for some movement-based play.
Even without a garden, with a little planning, your child can still enjoy plenty of time outdoors!
Have a look at this blog post I wrote about keeping safe while out and about. It includes a link to the wristbands that we use to make sure our kids have our phone number on them at all time.
What Should My Child Wear for Outdoor Play?
It honestly depends on where you live, the climate and the season.
For summer and warmer climes: Sun hats, sunglasses, sun cream and trainers are a good call.
For winter and colder climes: All-in-one winter coats which cover legs as well as the top half, woolly hats or balaclavas, gloves or mittens and wellies.
For when the weather is neither too hot, nor too cold: An all-in-one coat which is a bit thinner so kind of raincoat material, some wellies or trainers. Layers are always a good idea because you can always add more or take some off.
10 Ways to Have Fun Outdoors With Toddlers and Young Children
1. Bird Feeder Fun
Creating a bird feeder is a fantastic way to connect children with nature. It encourages patience, observation, and an appreciation for wildlife. Making a bird feeder can be as simple as rolling a pinecone in peanut butter and birdseed or using an empty toilet roll covered in seeds. For a more creative approach, recycle an old milk carton or plastic bottle and turn it into a DIY feeder. Once the feeder is set up, encourage your child to watch the birds that visit and identify different species using a simple guidebook or an app. Keeping a little bird-watching journal can make this an ongoing learning experience.
2. DIY Obstacle Course
A homemade obstacle course is perfect for improving gross motor skills, coordination, and balance. Use household items like pillows, cones, and jump ropes to create a fun challenge. Ideas include:
- Hopping between stepping stones
- Crawling under a blanket tunnel
- Balancing on a line of bricks or a wooden plank
- Jumping over sticks or soft obstacles
You can make the course more exciting by setting a timer or encouraging your child to complete it in different ways, such as hopping like a bunny or waddling like a duck. Change the course regularly to keep it fresh and engaging.
3. Mud Kitchen Play
A mud kitchen is a sensory-rich activity that allows children to engage in pretend play while exploring textures. Set up a small area with old pots, spoons, and bowls, and let your child mix mud, leaves, and water to create ‘soups’ and ‘cakes.’ Adding natural elements like stones, flower petals, and twigs enhances creativity. Mud play helps develop fine motor skills and encourages imaginative role-playing, making it a perfect outdoor activity for young children.
4. Water Play Adventures
Water play is a favourite for young children, especially on warm days. A simple water table, plastic tub, or paddling pool can provide endless entertainment. Try these fun water activities:
- Pouring water between cups and containers
- Fishing for floating objects using a small net
- Adding sponges and toy boats for extra fun
- Freezing small toys in ice cubes and letting children ‘rescue’ them
Water play not only keeps children cool but also enhances fine motor skills, problem-solving, and sensory exploration.
Why not take a look at my more in-depth guide on water play here: Water Play with Toddlers – Fun Family Home
5. Sand Play Sensory Fun
If you have a sandpit, it can be used for digging, scooping, and building castles. Even if you don’t, a large tub filled with play sand works just as well. Encourage your child to:
- Use small cups and moulds to create shapes
- Hide and dig for buried treasure
- Build sandcastles and roads for toy cars
- Create patterns using sticks and shells
Sand play supports sensory development and imaginative play, making it a great outdoor activity for toddlers and young children.
Here’s a guide to sand play for young children: What Are The Benefits of Sand Play With Toddlers? – Fun Family Home
6. Gardening with Little Helpers
Gardening is a wonderful way to teach children about nature, responsibility, and patience. Even young children can help plant flowers, vegetables, or herbs in pots or garden beds. Provide small watering cans and trowels so they can assist with watering and digging. Simple gardening activities include:
- Planting fast-growing seeds like sunflowers or cress
- Picking ripe fruits or vegetables
- Learning about insects and their role in the garden
- Collecting leaves and flowers for crafts
Gardening fosters curiosity and a sense of accomplishment as children watch their plants grow over time.
7. Chalk Drawing & Games
Pavement chalk is a simple yet engaging outdoor activity. Children can draw pictures, practise letters and numbers, or create fun games. Try these ideas:
- Hopscotch for jumping practice
- Drawing roads for toy cars
- Creating a giant noughts and crosses (tic-tac-toe) board
- Tracing each other’s shadows and decorating them
The best part about chalk play is that it can be easily washed away with water, ready for new creations the next day.
8. Throwing & Kicking Games
Throwing and kicking games help develop hand-eye coordination, balance, and teamwork. Simple activities include:
- Rolling or throwing a ball back and forth
- Kicking a ball into a mini goal
- Playing bean bag toss into buckets
- Throwing a frisbee or a soft ball at a target
These games can be adapted for different skill levels and are perfect for burning off energy outdoors.
9. Camping Pretend Play
Turn your garden into a mini campsite with a pop-up tent or a homemade fort made from blankets. Add sleeping bags, lanterns, and a picnic to create a real camping atmosphere. Encourage children to:
- Tell campfire stories (real or made-up!)
- Sing songs or make up their own
- Go on a pretend “night hike” around the garden
- Have a mini BBQ or toast marshmallows (with supervision) and make s’mores
Camping pretend play is a great way to inspire imagination while spending quality time outdoors.
10. Nature Treasure Hunt
A scavenger hunt encourages children to observe and explore their surroundings. Create a simple checklist of items to find, such as:
- A feather
- A smooth rock
- A yellow flower
- A bug or butterfly
To make it more interactive, you can include texture-based tasks like “Find something rough” or “Find something soft.” Seasonal hunts add variety, allowing children to notice changes in nature throughout the year.
For 20 fun and free outdoor activities in summer, take a look at my blog post: 20 Fun and Free Outdoor Activities for Kids This Summer – Fun Family Home
Outdoor play is essential for young children’s development, and you don’t need a big space to make it fun. Simple activities like water play, chalk drawing, and obstacle courses can provide hours of entertainment while fostering creativity and learning. By incorporating outdoor time into your daily routine, you’re giving your child the chance to explore, imagine, and grow. So grab some chalk, a watering can, or a ball and head outside—adventure awaits right in your own back garden!
Take a look at this autumn activity guide which contains even more outdoors ideas for young children: Autumn Adventures: Fun and Educational Activities for Toddlers and Young Children – Fun Family Home
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