Kids love exploring the world around them, and sometimes, the biggest adventures are no further away than the backyard. If your kids are looking for something to do outside, consider one of these backyard activities.
When we visit my relatives in Virginia during the winter, we always hope for snow. One trip, we packed sleds and the kids got their hopes up– only to be thwarted by the weather. We didn’t let the lack of snow deter us from sledding down the hill. If you have a round saucer sled and a hill, tie a rope to the sled and give it a tug. Sledding in any weather is my first recommendation.
During quarantine in 2020, we had to cancel our beach trip. My kids were disappointed about not being able to build sandcastles and play in the water. Luckily, the weather here was beautiful. We went to a local creek that had sand and water to get our fill. If you live near water, sand and a bucket can provide hours of entertainment.
Many weekends, my kids are looking for something to do outside. With a little guidance and adult supervision, we enjoy scavenger hunts. We search for everything from big leaves and rocks in certain shapes to objects left behind by animals in the area. You don’t have to be too creative; kids love looking for the extremes in nature.
Once you acquire a collection of rocks and leaves left over from a scavenger hunt, put them to use in a homemade terrarium. Fill the bottom layer of a jar with sand and rocks, followed by grass seeds and dirt. Add some water and sunshine and watch it grow. We sometimes put a mushroom or bug in ours as well. Glow-in-the-dark stickers allow the terrarium to be visible at night, too.
My son loves collecting objects on our walks. I got tired of finding them in the wash after I cleaned his pants and decided he needed a bug collection. We got him a styrofoam board and some straight pins, so he could collect many species of insects on our walks and pin them to the board to display. Collections can be educational as well as fun.
My son’s interest in insects may have stemmed from digging in our garden at an early age. We have a creek behind our house that holds some bluegill and small bass. When the weather warms up, we dig up our bait and walk to the creek. Kids love getting dirty, and what better way is there to experience nature up close?
My last suggestion for a backyard adventure is puddle jumping. My kids love being wet year-round. Keeping them dry is the tricky part. During rainy days we go a bit stir crazy and are looking to get out of the house. Grab an umbrella and boots and you have an activity that will get you outside in any weather.
Backyards are meant to be explored and enjoyed. All of these activities can be performed in city parks or rural backyards. Get creative and go outside. Your kids will learn to appreciate the outdoors and enjoy the memories for years to come.
