There's no reason for kids to be bored when there is a whole world of outdoor play waiting for them. Keep this list of outdoor activities for kids handy. How many can you check off in one sunny season? (Hint: These outdoor play ideas are not limited to the summer months, or to your backyard.)
1. Play a backyard game.
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Teach kids the classics you remember from your childhood, from freeze tag to Red Rover. See if they can invent their own versions too.
2. Take a walk.
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Whether you take a stroll around the block or a challenging hike in the woods, outdoor walks are ideal for fitness, fun, and family bonding. Play a game as you go to keep kids interested and active. Check out outdoor retailer REI's Passport to Adventure program for suggested hiking trails and printable activities.
3. Go geocaching.
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Add a high-tech hide-and-seek game to your outdoor adventures by searching for a geocache. Using a handheld GPS device, navigate to a cache stashed in your area (find them at geocaching.com). Pick up a prize and leave one of your own. Or try letterboxing, which is similar but doesn't require a GPS unit.
4. Get wet.
Catherine Holecko
Sprinklers, hoses, splash parks, the local pool--all are perfect for helping kids cool off and play actively all at once (make sure you review swimming pool safety guidelines regularly).
5. Strap on some skates.
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Adding wheels to outdoor activities for kids almost always makes them more appealing. Outfit kids with quad or inline roller skates, helmets, and pads and they'll be off to the races (you might want jog alongside for your own workout).
6. Ride a bike.
Catherine Holecko
Kids' feet can take them farther when they're pushing pedals. Besides being an easy mode of transportation, bicycling makes for a fun whole-family outdoor activity. Explore quiet streets in your neighborhood or use Pedaling.com's searchable list to find a family-friendly bike trail.
7. Pick up a paddle.
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Whether on vacation or in your own hometown, try exploring the waterways for a twist on outdoor activity. Even very young children can ride in a canoe, kayak, rowboat, or inner tube, or begin to learn to paddle on their own.
8. Play catch.
Djubi
It's one of the simplest of outdoor activities: a game of catch. But with dozens of options for projectiles, from footballs to Frisbees to boomerangs and the Djubi (pictured), playing catch is anything but boring.
9. Swing a racquet.
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Team up for doubles, play an energetic game of smash and volley, or string up a net and bat a badminton birdie back and forth.
10. Set and spike.
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You don't need a beach to play volleyball (although that's awfully fun too). A net at your local park or in your backyard works just as well. Some community pools or ball fields even have their own sand courts.
