BACKYARD ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

Hi all!! How’s your isolation going?? Yes, this post is coming out mid-Corona shut down.

We’re hearing lots of parents asking, or I should say begging, for more suggestions on how to keep their kids busy because schools are shut down and daycares are not operating. 

Wild times!

Anyway, we’ve put together a list of activities that you can do outside with the kids to help break up your day, keep them busy or just get some fresh air! These may be backyard activities for kids during the Corona shutdown, but you can use them ANYTIME!

AND, if you need some indoor activities, check out our post Activities for Kids at Home. It even includes a free download 🙂

Here we go…backyard kids activities!

1. BACKYARD OBJECT HUNT

This will take a tiny bit of time ahead, but totally worth it. And if you are a good hider, this can keep your kids busy for a while!

What are you going to hide?

ANYTHING! You can hide their toys. Treats are a real crowd pleaser. You can hide bits and pieces of a game and at the end when they find them all, play the game. 

2. BACKYARD TEA PARTY

This can combine playtime and snack time. And if you have boys, and they aren’t into tea time, it can just be a lunch party outside.

You can set up a little table out in the yard, they can dress up if they want, have some tea and little sandwiches and whatever else they like munching on – and Mom, bring your coffee or wine 🙂

Fresh air, snacks, drinks. Sounds like fun to us!

3. NATURE WALK

For this, depending on the size of your yard or where you live, this can be easy or a little tricky. 

Basically, you want to go for a walk and have a list of things to find. 

These things can be animals like birds, worms, and ants or it can be colors or shapes. The walk itself will provide some stimulus and get them burning off some energy.

4. BACKYARD GAMES

Kids love games! It’s just a fact. What games can you play outside without needing anything?

A few come to mind:

1. Tag
2. Hide and Seek
3. Hopscotch
4. Catch
5. Soccer

Let them run around, and by default you get some exercise too! Total win win 🙂

5. CHALK DRAWING

Alright, alright – this is a total no brainer and I see most Mom’s already on the chalk train, but we’re still going to include it in case you need a reminder. 

And technically it’s not the backyard unless you have a wrap around sidewalk, BUT, what kid doesn’t love some chalk?

You sit and enjoy a coffee (yes we know we’re obsessed with drinking coffee) and they draw away until their heart’s content!

6. CLOUD WATCHING

Trudie LOVES this one! She likes to lay out, look up into the sky and find as many shapes as possible.

It’s the little things in life that make kids happy, and it makes this Mama happy too!

7. DAYTIME CAMPING

You’re not doing much camping right now, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use the tent out in the yard. 

Sometimes all it takes is a change of scenery for the little ones and it opens up a whole new world. 

Set the tent up, bring out some blankets and books and pillows and relax in comfort in the fresh air…unless you have snow of course! Then you can set it up inside 🙂

8. ROCK COLLECTING

I don’t know what the obsession with collecting rocks is, but it’s real!

Trudie is always finding some different shaped rock or pebble or stick. The negotiating to not bring every single one home is a thing for us…how about you?

What do you do with all the rocks you collect? Bring them inside and paint away. You can paint faces, designs, whatever their little heart desires.

9. OUTDOOR BINGO

Hunting for things is just plain fun. And the way to make it structured is to turn it into a game – like BINGO!

Sound like too much work to set up? Let us do the work for you, because that’s why we’re here.

CLICK HERE for your FREE Backyard Bingo game sheet!

Enjoy your outdoor play 🙂

Okay all, get out there and enjoy your backyard playtime!