Fun Outdoor Activities for Happy, Healthy Children
My little ones could spend their days running around outside. It does not bother them in the slightest whether the weather is good or not. Every year, I have a list in my head, full of the things I want to do with the little ones before the end of summer. I don’t tick anything off or get upset if we don’t do all the activities I had in mind, but I love it when we manage to spend a lot of time together doing fun activities outdoors, away from screens and day-to-day worries.
My five criteria for those outdoor activities are nice and simple
• No equipment needed
• No preparation required
• Fun
• Free
• Outdoors
Here is our little list, in no particular order:
Our Top 10 Free Outdoor Activities
1. Have a piggy back race
2. Do a forward roll on the grass or sand
3. Climb a tree
4. Who can walk the longest with something on their head?
5. Skim stones
6. Swing as high as you can in the play park
7. Learn to do a cartwheel or a headstand
8. Who can throw a shoe the furthest?
9. Pretend you’re a cat, monkey, rabbit, penguin, frog or any other animal you can think of
10. Go for a walk and pick wild flowers, spot bugs or collect leaves
We get a fair few opportunities for outdoor fun whilst visiting family in the summer. Strung together, our photos form a visual diary of our holidays. I particularly enjoyed capturing my children interacting with each other, unaware of the camera.
Every chance they got, Crevette and Beanie are keen to climb trees. Most of the time, hubby was lifting them up and holding them there for safety. When we got to the park in the village where I grew up a few summers ago, one of the trees was low enough for them to climb by themselves. They were 3 and 6 years old and they had the time to their lives!
Beanie is getting more and more confident at climbing trees in my mum’s garden. Check her out in the cherry tree last August!
I love pretending I am 5 years old (wishful thinking!) and doing forward rolls on the grass with the kids, although I have to say I am not as graceful as I once was. I attempted teaching the little ones how to do a cartwheel and a headstand. I had not done that since secondary school and I was rusty (to say the least)! I envy the little ones: they are so flexible and fearless!
One of my favourite moments that summer was when my brother and I had a piggy back race with the children. He beat me every time!
Crevette, Beanie Jumpy and Wriggly love collecting fruit, nuts and eggs in my mum’s garden. They found all sorts of bugs with their uncles and really enjoyed having a good look at them with a magnifying glass. They picked flowers for their Mamie (nan) as well.
My children all love throwing stones in the sea or river. Hubby taught me how to skim stones a few years ago and I find it soothing and addictive in equal measures.
Going on the swings is one of Jumpy’s favourite things. The higher she goes, the happier she is, the louder the screams of delight. Look how diddy she was here!
It’s always great fun foraging for food x
We love it! We have had loads of blackberries this summer.
Such amazing photos! Simple fun rules! Xxx
There is nothing quite like getting a bit of fresh air, is there?
Beautiful photos Mel and a lovely post full of fab ideas for free fun! Number 10 is my girls favourite, they absolutely love foraging at the mo. Best of luck with the Centre Parcs competition xxx #CountryKids
Thanks lovely! We do love foraging, too!
Looks lovely!! Really sums up childhood there – climbing trees and forward rolls!! Xx
I love seeing my little ones enjoying simple things I loved when I was a kid. I wish I could take them grape picking but it is starting next week where I grew up. Not sure the school would agree to let them be off for a few days to work in the vines!
Simple fun that can last hours! Our boys love throwing stones into the water too (any water) #countrykids
Throwing stones rocks (excuse the pun!).
That is a great list! My kids love pretending to be animals! x
I might try to do it with my little ones next time they have a ‘hopping’ session; it looks liberating!
Looks like you did a great job of meeting your criteria and having lots of fun. Good luck.
We had another shoe-throwing competition at the park last week and attracted a couple of kids who were playing there. They defeated us but we had such a great time. Apart from the risk of walking barefoot in dog poo (keeps you on your toes), it is an exciting activity!
A wonderful fun list of outdoor activities and the bonus is they are free! Lovely photos of the family joining in on the fun and having a great time. Thanks for linking up and sharing with Country Kids.
We had a shoe throwing competition again when we went to the park a couple of days ago and had a great time (until the kids started arguing!). x
It looks like you’ve been having a lot of fun x
We have! The kids were pretending to be animals again tonight. They make me act like a snake. These little ones are so full of fun (and energy!).
What a wonderful post, outdoor play is so important and it’s great to see a list of such simple and easy activities.
Nipping over from Country Kids.
I do love easy activities that require no planning whatsoever. Fun, fun, fun!
What a lovely summer you had! #countrykids
We have! Lots of memories to treasure.
Sometimes it is just the simplest things that are the most effective. Grand days out can be fun (if not a little stressful at times), but the simple things that are on your doorstep or back garden are the best. Love the video of your bro xx
It is, isn’t it? I like big events, too but impromptu fun is always what makes me smile when I think back.
Great list of activities! Absolutely love the tree climbing photo 🙂
Thanks Sara, we have had such a great summer!
Ah I love this Just goes to show that there are so many ways to get out and enjoy being a family without spending loads of money. x x x
I love a bit of free fun!
So many wonderful activities, feel so lucky to live where we do where outdoor life is easy x
Your area sounds really nice and quiet. My little ones would love a bit of a garden.
I love this post so much! Kids are SOOOO quick to say they are bored but then I always try and do silly, imaginative stuff to show them they make their own amusement.
Thanks Claire! My little ones are always happier outdoors.
Thanks for the great post Mel!
My pleasure lovely! I love a bit of outdoor fun. Today, we had bubbles, water fight with spray bottles (a lot less messy than the hose!), paddling pool action and football in the park. There’s nothing like a bit of sunshine!
Lovely outdoor photos. Tree climbing is a real favourite here and hunting for bugs. I find it a lot easier to be out and about than cooped up at home and love seeing my kids playing outdoors. x
My kiddos love hunting for bugs too. Next step: leaving the bugs alone once they’ve found them…
Gorgeous photos and these are great ideas! My daughter loves being outdoors x
Thanks Emma. Same here, my monkeys would happily spend al day outdoors, rain or shine x
I completely agree about spending time outside and my two could spend hours outside whatever the weather x x
Same here!
We love being outside, everyone is happier for it!