Backyard Activities for Kids
Some days are meant to be spent outdoors, but it can be tricky to think of things to do when you’re out there. To help, we’ve put together a few of our favorite backyard activities for kids, whether you’re looking to stay cool in the sun, burn off some energy or just have some fun!
Soccer Matches or Drills
All you need for a soccer match is a few friends, a ball and something to mark out the goals. Your backyard is a great place to hone those passing and scoring skills that make all the difference when the heat is on. If you don’t have enough space – or people – for a match, then why not try some drills? Practice your ball control and have a go at some trick shots for your next game.
Build a Den
Building a den is a fun backyard activity for kids of all ages. Put your camping and wilderness skills to the test with a sturdy shelter or build a comfortable spot for reading and relaxing in the shade. Why not get some friends together and see who can build the best den with a tasty treat for the winner?
Obstacle Course
An obstacle course is a great backyard activity for kids to burn off energy, while getting their brains working. The best part is, you can use whatever you have handy! Think lawn chairs and flower pots, sticks and pool noodles – grab what you can and arrange them to get the kids moving. You can scale the difficulty up or down depending on age range and add the extra fun of capturing the flag at the end.
Pass the Water
If it’s a particularly warm day, another fun backyard activity for kids is the ‘pass the water’ challenge. All you need is a series of containers for water and some makeshift blindfolds. Everyone covers their eyes and stands in a line. The person at the front has a bucket, tub or cup filled with water that they have to lift over their head and pour into the container of the person behind them. This carries on until the end of the line with the aim of the game to have some water reach the final container – easy, right?
Scavenger Hunts
The nice thing about scavenger hunts is that you can scale them up or down depending on how long you have and who’s taking part. All you need is a list of things to find outdoors – you can hide some items to be found or make use of what’s already in your yard – and some kind of prize for the winners (a Cinnamon Toast Crunch snack or two, maybe?). Make things a little trickier by setting a time limit and see who the fastest hunter is!
Slackline Challanges
If you’ve got two trees or two sturdy poles in your backyard, then why not string up a slackline? For this, it’s best to use a narrow, flexible strap with a little bit of give. Start off with it only a few inches off the ground and see how easy (or hard) it is to take a few steps on the rope. This backyard activity is perfect for teens as it’s a great test of balance and can be a real confidence builder – as well as a lot of fun.