Spending time outside is a fantastic way for kids to stay active, explore, and make unforgettable memories. Whether running through sprinklers on a hot day, building a backyard fort, or going on a nature scavenger hunt, children’s outdoor activities encourage creativity, teamwork, and physical development—all while having fun! From classic games to exciting adventures, this list of the best children’s outdoor activities will keep kids entertained for hours and help them enjoy the great outdoors.
Treasure Hunts
Kids love a good adventure, and a treasure hunt is the perfect children’s outdoor activity to bring excitement to their day! You can create your clues on tea-stained paper for a cool, old-fashioned look and hide them in bottles around your yard or a nearby park. To make it extra fun, have someone dressed as a pirate deliver the first clue and a treasure map to the birthday child. Let each kid take turns reading a clue as they follow the trail to the final destination—where “X” marks the spot! At the end of the hunt, they’ll find a treasure chest filled with prizes for everyone to enjoy.
Scavenger Hunts
Like treasure hunts, outdoor scavenger hunts are a great way to get everyone involved and excited about exploring! If your child has a party theme, you can tailor the scavenger hunt list to match it. Whether you host it at a local park or use your backyard and parts of your house, the fun is in the search!
For the list, mix everyday natural items like a pine cone, an acorn, or a bird feather, along with more creative finds like a rock shaped like a dinosaur or spotting a specific bird call. You can also include objects, like a penny from the 1990s, a bottle cap, or a red car sighting. Give teams a checklist and a time limit, and let the hunt begin! At the end, everyone should share their unique find, and a prize will be awarded to the team with the most interesting discovery.
Obstacle Course
Kids love a little friendly competition; an obstacle course race is the perfect way to keep them active and entertained! You can set up two identical courses—one for each team—using everyday items from your garage or around the house. Adding variety and a few silly challenges is the key to making it fun. Try a “Zoom Obstacle Course” where kids must roll eggs with their noses, crawl under a rope course on their stomachs, and race while holding a balloon between their legs. It’s a guaranteed way to get them laughing and moving!
Water Balloons
The outdoors is perfect for kids to enjoy fresh air, splash around, and stay entertained—especially regarding water balloon games! Let’s be honest, it’s probably the only way parents are totally on board with water play. Plenty of fun game options exist, but the classic water balloon toss is always a hit.
Here’s how it works: Kids form two lines facing each other, standing about a foot apart. Each player in a line gets a water balloon and tosses it to their partner. If they catch it, both partners step back and keep playing. If someone drops a balloon and it bursts, they’re out! The game continues until all the balloons have popped.
Balloon games aren’t just for summer—switch things up by playing with regular inflated balloons in colder months or adding water to any balloon game for an extra splash of fun!
Hot Potato
Hot potato is a great game to play with balloons, especially on warm summer days—make sure to do it outside! Fill a balloon with water and poke a small hole in the bottom or side. Have the kids stand in a circle and start tossing the balloon to each other. As the water slowly leaks out, the suspense builds!
Whoever holds the balloon when the water runs out is out of the game. Keep things going by filling up new balloons and poking holes in them. When only two players are left, the winner is the one who doesn’t end up with the balloon in their hands at the end. It’s a fun, splashy twist on a classic game that keeps kids laughing and moving!
Balloon Pop
Balloon Pop is a fast-paced, exciting game that kids will love! Give each child an inflated balloon with their name written on it. Once everyone has their balloon, have them toss them into the air and let the chaos begin!
The goal? Pop as many balloons as possible—using only their hands. The last child with an unpopped balloon wins! But here’s the twist: each player has to decide whether to focus on protecting their balloon or going all out to pop everyone else’s first. It’s a fun, high-energy game that keeps kids on their toes!
Poppers
Poppers is a fun, fast-paced game that keeps kids moving! Each child gets a balloon tied to their ankle, leg, or arm, and the goal is to pop everyone else’s balloon while protecting their own. Once your balloon pops, you’re out! The last player with an unpopped balloon wins.
Want to make it even more exciting for summer? Fill the balloons with water and take the game outside for a splashy twist!
Balloon Relay
Balloon Relay is a high-energy game that’s all about speed and teamwork! Divide the kids into equal teams and give each team a bag with 20 inflated balloons. When the whistle blows, the first player from each team grabs a balloon and tries to pop it as fast as possible. Once they do, they run back, tag the next teammate, and the cycle continues.
The race is on to see which team can pop all their balloons first! It’s a fun, fast-paced game that keeps everyone moving and laughing.
Football
Backyard football games are a great way to keep kids active while teaching them the basics of the sport. Whether it’s a fun game of touch football, a friendly tackle match, or a one-on-one showdown, there’s a version for every group size and skill level. Playing one-on-one is especially great for helping kids improve their technique and form while still having a blast!
Flag Football
Flag football is a fun, low-contact version of tackle football where players pull flags instead of tackling. The rules are mostly the same, but it’s a safer way for kids to enjoy the game without the rough contact.
To play, split the group into two even teams and give each player a set of flags to wear at their waist. You can set a time limit for the game or play until a team reaches a specific score. Like in regular football, touchdowns are worth six points, extra points are worth one, and field goals score three. It’s an excellent way for kids to get active, practice teamwork, and have a blast!
One-On-One Running Game
This game is a great way to help kids build speed and agility on the field! Have your child pair up with a partner and line up on the 20-yard line, facing the nearest end zone. Give the ball to one player, and when you blow the whistle, they’ll take off running for the end zone while their partner tries to stop them with a tackle.
If they get tackled, it’s second down, and they’ll have four chances (or downs) to reach the end zone before the ball changes possession. It’s a fun, competitive way to practice quick moves and defensive skills!
Three Fly’s Up
This fun football game is a great way to help kids improve their catching skills! Gather four kids into a group and have one stand about 10 feet away with a football. When you give the signal, the player with the ball throws it as high as possible toward the other three.
If a player catches it, they earn a “fly.” The first kid to collect three flies wins the game! It’s a simple but exciting way to build hand-eye coordination and make catching more fun.
Punting Game
This game is a great way to help kids improve their punting skills and hand-eye coordination! Have a group of kids line up on the 20-yard line, then have one step up with a football. The goal is to punt the ball out of bounds as close to the end zone as possible without it going in.
If the ball lands in the end zone, they get zero points. If it lands within the 10-yard line, they earn one point; if it lands within the 5-yard line, they score three points. The first player to reach 20 points wins! It’s a fun and competitive way to work on precision and control.
Kickball
All you need for a classic kickball game is a ball and some makeshift bases! The rules are similar to baseball—set up three bases and a home plate using whatever you have.
Each team takes turns kicking the ball and running the bases. If a player on the field catches the ball, they can tag the runner to get them “out.” Just like in baseball, three outs and the teams switch sides. Every runner who makes it to home plate scores a point. This children’s outdoor activity gets everyone moving!
Three Musketeers Race
Mark two lines about 20 feet apart using cones or any handy markers. Have the kids split into teams of three and stand back-to-back with their arms linked, forming a triangle.
To start the game, an adult or chaperone shouts, “All for one and one for all!” The teams must then race to the second line and back to the starting line—without unlinking their arms! If they come apart, they must return to the start and try again. The first team to make it there and back without breaking apart wins! It’s a fun children’s outdoor activity that builds teamwork and keeps everyone laughing.
Pick Pocket Tag
Give each kid a strip of cloth or a bandana to tuck into their pocket, leaving part of it hanging out. The goal? Try to “pick” as many pockets as possible by grabbing other players’ cloth strips—while keeping yours safe!
When time’s up, the player with the most cloth strips wins and earns the title “best pickpocket.” It’s a fast, fun game that keeps kids on their toes!
Children’s outdoor activities are a great way to keep kids active, engaged, and having fun while building essential skills like teamwork, coordination, and problem-solving. Whether it’s a high-energy competition, a creative adventure, or a classic favorite, these activities help create lasting memories and encourage kids to enjoy the great outdoors. So grab a ball, set up a game, and let the fun begin!
These outdoor activities are a fantastic way to keep kids active, engaged, and having fun while creating lasting memories!