50+ Outdoor Activities for Kids (of all ages!) - Busy Toddler (2024)

Author: Susie

50+ Outdoor Activities for Kids (of all ages!) - Busy Toddler (2)

Table of Contents:

  1. Looking for easy outdoor activities for kids? Here’s the list.
  2. This outdoor activities list is for ALL AGES
  3. What are some activities to do outside?
  4. Outdoor activities for kids that are actually doable…
  5. 50+ Outdoor Activities – ENJOY!
  6. 24 Outdoor Arts and Crafts Activities for Kids
  7. 16 STEM Activities for Outside Fun
  8. 16 Water and Ice Play Ideas
  9. 8 Fun and Easy Outdoor Activities
  10. These activities – oh, they are the best!

Looking for easy outdoor activities for kids? Here’s the list.

It is time. Time to get the kids outside for play, outside for messes, outside for fun and I AM HERE FOR IT.

I’m mostly excited for messes to head to the backyard – bring on all the warm weather. If you’re looking for the best outdoor activities for kids (kids of ALL AGES) – this is The List for you.

RELATED: Need even more activities for outside? Here’s my summer activities list for toddlers and preschoolers.

This outdoor activities list is for ALL AGES

I mean it. I scoured the Internet looking for activities to span the ages of all the kids at home right now – from babies and tabies to toddlers, preschoolers and then our big kids home from elementary school.

This list spans a WIDE age group with many great activities for siblings – which is the ultimate way to play (getting all the kids in on the fun).

Our outdoor play has never been more important and I’m so hopeful this list can help you bring some extra bits of fun to your backyard.

What are some activities to do outside?

I have 50+ activities listed here and I split them into FOUR categories for outdoor fun:

  • Arts & crafts
  • STEM (science, technology, engineering, math)
  • Water & ice play
  • Easy ideas

These activities are the absolute best from the web – no need to search Pinterest during your break time. I did it all for you.

RELATED: Download my FREE Summer Activities List – ideas you can keep on your fridge for days when you need a little extra.

Outdoor activities for kids that are actually doable…

This list is fun. It’s easy. It’s doable ideas to get kids playing outside.

It’s a welcome break for my living room and I can’t wait for the warm weather to stay (aka get the messes outside…)

50+ Outdoor Activities – ENJOY!

(Get ready to click through and meet some amazing blogs!)

24 Outdoor Arts and Crafts Activities for Kids

50+ Outdoor Activities for Kids (of all ages!) - Busy Toddler (6)

1. Squirt Gun Painting – Fireflies and Mudpies

2. How to Freeze Paint – Busy Toddler

3. Chalk Ice – The Best Ideas for Kids

4. How to Make Mini Water Blogs – Hello, Wonderful

5. Bubble Painting – Fun Learning for Kids

6. Cotton Rounds Splatter Painter – A Crafty LIVing

7. Outdoor Toy Paint – Busy Toddler

8. Graffiti Art for Kids – Playground Parkbench

50+ Outdoor Activities for Kids (of all ages!) - Busy Toddler (7)
  1. Outdoor Name Art – Busy Toddler

2. Ball Painting – Happy Toddler Playtime

3. Puffy Sidewalk Paint – The Best Ideas for Kids

4. Painting Ice – Picklebums

5. Friendship Art – Play Teach Repeat

6. Rainbow Dyed Seashells – Mama in the Now

7. Water Balloon Painting – Lets Lasso the Moon

8. Foam Bubble Painting – 123 Homeschool4Me

50+ Outdoor Activities for Kids (of all ages!) - Busy Toddler (8)
  1. Tape Resist Art – Busy Toddler

2. Frozen Ice Paints – The Imagination Tree

3. Giant Window Painting – Busy Toddler

4. Shadow Art – Rhythms of Play

5. Pointillism – Busy Toddler

6. Giant Nail Salon for Kids – Happy Toddler Playtime

7. Bubble Art Butterflies – Red Ted Art

8. Splatter Paint – Busy Toddler

16 STEM Activities for Outside Fun

50+ Outdoor Activities for Kids (of all ages!) - Busy Toddler (9)
  1. Science Table – Busy Toddler

2. Engineering with Mud Bricks – Play Teach Repeat

3. Bubble Recipe – Red Ted Art

4. Mini DIY Kaleidoscopes – Babble Dabble Doo

5. Make a Bubble Snake Blower – Messy Little Monster

6. Watermelon Science Activity – Natural Beach Living

7. Ice Boat Racing – Toddler Approved

8, Pool Noodle Pouring Station – Raising Dragons

50+ Outdoor Activities for Kids (of all ages!) - Busy Toddler (10)
  1. Potion Making Science Station – Busy Toddler

2. Rain Gutter River – Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls

3. How to Make a Kite – Babble Dabble Doo

4. Build a Changeable Water Wall – Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls

5. Making Ice Cream in a Sandwich Bag – Busy Toddler

6. Pinwheel Craft – Babble Dabble Doo

7. How to Build a Water Balloon Launcher – Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls

8. Homemade GIANT Bubbles – Happy Hooligans

16 Water and Ice Play Ideas

50+ Outdoor Activities for Kids (of all ages!) - Busy Toddler (11)
  1. Sponge Targets – Busy Toddler

2. Pom Pom Ice Cubes – The Paige Diaries

3. Pouring Station – Busy Toddler

4. How to Make Water Balloon Pinatas – Hello, Wonderful

5. Frozen Dinosaur Eggs – The Imagination Tree

6. Pom Pom Water Play – Busy Toddler

7. DIY Sponge Bombs – Messy Little Monster

8. Clean the Cars Activity – Busy Toddler

50+ Outdoor Activities for Kids (of all ages!) - Busy Toddler (12)
  1. Splash the Alphabet – Days with Grey

2. Pom Pom Water Table – Happy Toddler Playtime

3, Nature Soup (Mess Free Sensory) – Happily Ever Mom

4. Ice Smash – Busy Toddler

5. Ice Play Sensory Bin – Days with Grey

6. Spray Bottle Water Painting – Happy Toddler Playtime

7. Colored Ice Play – Crayons and Cravings

8. Ice Table Sensory Bin – Busy Toddler

8 Fun and Easy Outdoor Activities

50+ Outdoor Activities for Kids (of all ages!) - Busy Toddler (13)
  1. Animal World Sensory Bin – Busy Toddler

2, Decorate the Cake (with Shaving Cream) – Days with Grey

3, Oobleck Baking Bin – Busy Toddler

4, Dinosaur Mud Play – Play Teach Repeat

5, DIY Mud Kitchen Food – Play Teach Repeat

6. DIY Outdoor Chalk Board Game – Days with Grey

7. Shaving Cream Cloud Art – Play Teach Repeat

8. Outdoor Color Scavenger Hunt – Days with Grey

These activities – oh, they are the best!

Let’s get the kids outside and playing – and these fun and easy activities are perfect for it.

Happy “taking the messes outside” to all!

50+ Outdoor Activities for Kids (of all ages!) - Busy Toddler (14)
50+ Outdoor Activities for Kids (of all ages!) - Busy Toddler (2024)

FAQs

How to keep a 2 year old busy outside? ›

For another outdoor activity, you can try fun tasks like looking for little treasures. Look for flowers, leaves, sticks, or rocks. You can focus on using descriptive words for each item, like the “pretty flower” or the “long stick.” You may want to bring a bag with you to collect all your toddler's things!

How do you entertain a busy toddler? ›

  1. DIY Water Pump for Kids.
  2. Outdoor Art Activities for Kids.
  3. Ice Table Sensory Bin.
  4. Nature Cutting Bin for Preschoolers.
  5. Water Activities for Kids.
  6. Pom Pom Water Play.
  7. Outdoor Road Easy Activity.
  8. Rainbow Rice and Funnels Sensory Bin.

How many hours should toddler be outside? ›

In Balanced and Barefoot: How Unrestricted Outdoor Play Makes for Strong, Confident and Capable Children, Angela J. Hanscom writes "kids of all ages should get at least three hours of free play outdoors a day." I'm all for balance.

Should toddlers play outside everyday? ›

Making Outdoor Play Fun

If possible, parents should aim to have their children spend at least 30 minutes outside per day—but if that feels tough to squeeze in, Dr. Williams suggests working to make it a part of your day.

What should a 2 year old be saying? ›

At age 2, most kids say at least 2 words together. By 30 months, they are saying 50 words or more and are understood about half of the time. They are using words like “I,” “me,” or “we.” By 30 months, most kids can follow 2-step instructions, like "Pick up the ball and bring it to Daddy."

How busy should a 2 year old be? ›

By adult standards a 2-year-old's endless energy can look like overactivity, but chances are she's just a typical child. So find safe, age-appropriate ways to let her be active. Get her outside so she can run, jump, and climb. If you're housebound, try dancing, kneading dough, pounding toys, or drumming pots.

How do I keep my 2 year old active busy? ›

Ways to Keep Young Kids Busy When You Can Barely Keep Up
  1. Play 'Don't wake the dragon' ...
  2. Send them on a mini scavenger hunt. ...
  3. Use sensory bins. ...
  4. Build a bored box. ...
  5. Play a silly guessing game. ...
  6. Use painter's tape. ...
  7. Take to the tub. ...
  8. Create a washing station.
Oct 13, 2020

How do I keep my high energy toddler busy? ›

Encourage physical activity.

From running and jumping to skipping rope and climbing trees, being active can help your little one focus. It also helps your child burn off excess energy and can be a healthy part of their day-to-day routine.

What age is busy toddler for? ›

Playing Preschool is geared towards children ages 2.5 to 5 years old. This is preschool made easy: sequenced, hands-on activities in a simple daily lesson plan.

How do you entertain a toddler in heatwave? ›

67 Things to Do with Your Kids When It's Too Hot to Play Outside
  1. Play dough (store bought or homemade)
  2. Coloring/drawing.
  3. Board games.
  4. Hide-and-Seek.
  5. Watch a movie.
  6. Play in the bathtub with your swimsuits on.
  7. Build a fort.
  8. Make brownies, cookies or cupcakes.

What is outdoor physical activity for 2 3 year olds? ›

Active play, such as using a climbing frame, riding a bike, playing in water, chasing games and ball games, is the best way for this age group to get moving.

What activities should a 2 year old be doing? ›

Let your child play with sand toys or plastic containers, spoons, or a funnel in the tub or in a sandbox. Help your child do simple puzzles with shapes, colors, or animals. Name each piece when your child puts it in place. Encourage your child's curiosity and help her learn and explore new things.

How do I entertain my child outside? ›

Next time the weather looks inviting, try these creative ways to play outside:
  1. Blow bubbles using a DIY mix.
  2. Build a fort using lawn furniture.
  3. Build paper airplanes. ...
  4. Color eggs outside with less mess.
  5. Draw a hopscotch board with chalk.
  6. Drive to a neighboring town and check out their playgrounds.
Oct 19, 2021

What are outdoor activities for children? ›

10 Fun & Easy Outdoor Activities for Kids
  • Go for a Nature Walk. Walks like these are great for exploring the senses and working on communication skills for all ages. ...
  • Create a Mini-Garden. ...
  • Try a Scavenger Hunt in Nature. ...
  • Play in the Sand. ...
  • Try an Outdoor Craft. ...
  • Practice Mindfulness. ...
  • Go for a Bike Ride. ...
  • Visit a Park.

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