Outdoor Activities For Older Kids

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As parents, we know that it can be challenging to keep our older kids engaged and active, especially during the summer months.

But did you know that outdoor activities can be a great way to keep them physically active and mentally stimulated?

Not only do outdoor activities promote good physical health, but they also provide a great opportunity for children to develop their creativity and imagination.

In this article, we will discuss a variety of outdoor activities that are perfect for older kids, from obstacle course creation to treasure hunts. So grab your sunscreen and let’s get started!

Local Park Activities

• Obstacle course creation
  • Materials needed: Rope, cones, hula hoops, and other materials that can be found at the local park.

Steps for creating the course:

• First, find an open area in the park that is safe and has enough space for your obstacle course.
• Next, using the materials provided, set up different obstacles such as rope climbs, balance beams, and agility courses.
• Finally, have your older kids test out the course and make any necessary adjustments.

• Bike ride

1. Safety tips:

• Make sure your child’s bike is in good working condition.
• Remind your child to wear a helmet and follow all traffic laws.

2. Recommended routes: Look for local bike trails or parks that have designated bike paths for a fun and safe ride.

• Treasure hunt

1. Tips for creating a successful treasure hunt:

• Create a list of items to find, such as different types of leaves or flowers.
• Use a map to mark the location of the items.
• Set a time limit for the hunt to make it more challenging.

2. Ideas for treasure to include: small toys, stickers, or even a homemade treat.

Activities for the Whole Family

A. Nature walk

1. Tips for making it fun for kids of all ages:

• Encourage older kids to be leaders and help guide the younger children.
• Bring along a magnifying glass to examine different plants and insects.
• Create a scavenger hunt by making a list of things to look for during the walk.

2. Ideas for things to look for on the walk:

• Different types of trees and leaves
• Bugs and insects
• Birds and other animals
• Wildflowers and other plants

B. Water balloon fight

1. Safety precautions:

• Make sure to supervise children at all times during the water balloon fight.
• Remind kids to be respectful of others and not aim for the face or head.
• Have a plan in place for cleaning up any broken balloons.

2. Tips for making it fun for everyone:

• Divide into teams for a fun competition.
• Set up obstacles or boundaries for a more challenging game.
• Have a water balloon refill station for a nonstop supply of ammunition.

C. Hula hoop games

1. Different games that can be played with hula hoops:

• Hula hoop toss: see who can throw a hula hoop the farthest.
• Hula hoop relay: pass the hula hoop around a group of people in a relay race.
• Hula hoop dancing: see who can come up with the most creative hula hoop dance routine.

2. How to make hula hoops from natural materials:

• Gather long and flexible branches or saplings.
• Soak the branches in water overnight to make them more pliable.
• Bind the branches together using twine or duct tape.
• Add some decorations using paint or yarn.

These are just a few ideas for outdoor activities that the whole family can enjoy. With a little bit of creativity and planning, you can come up with even more fun ideas to keep older kids entertained during the summer months. Remember that the key is to spend quality time together and get some much-needed fresh air and physical activity.

Creative Ways to Play Outdoors

A. Mud pies

1. Tips for creating the perfect mud pies:

• Find a good mud patch in your backyard or a nearby park.
• Gather small stones, leaves, and other natural materials to decorate your pies.
• Be sure to supervise children while they are making their pies to prevent any accidents.

2. Ideas for things to include in the pies:

• Small flowers or petals
• Feathers
• Twigs or small branches
• Leaves
• Rocks or pebbles

B. Nature art

1. Materials needed:

• Nature materials such as leaves, flowers, twigs, shells, and rocks.
• Glue or tape
• Scissors
• Construction paper or cardboard

2. Ideas for nature art projects:

• Leaf rubbings: place a leaf under a piece of paper and use a crayon to rub over the leaf to create a leaf print.
• Nature collage: glue different nature materials onto a piece of paper or cardboard to create a unique piece of art.
• Pine cone bird feeder: tie string around a pine cone and coat it with peanut butter and birdseed.
• Nature print t-shirt: paint a nature material and press it onto a t-shirt to create a one-of-a-kind shirt.

C. Bug hunt

1. Tips for finding bugs in your own backyard:

• Look under rocks, logs, and leaves for hiding bugs.
• Use a bug catcher or a jar with a lid to catch and observe bugs.
• Look for different types of bugs in different areas of your backyard, such as near flowers or in the grass.

2. Equipment needed for a successful bug hunt:

• A bug catcher or jar with a lid
• A magnifying glass
• A field guide or app for identifying different types of bugs.
• A notebook and pencil for recording observations

These are just a few ideas for creative ways to play outdoors. These activities provide a great opportunity for kids to use their imagination, engage in hands-on learning and get some physical activity. Encourage kids to take their time and explore the world around them and discover new things. Have fun with your kids and enjoy the outdoors together!

Fun Outdoor Activities for Summer

A. Water fight

1. Safety precautions
2. Tips for making it fun for kids of all ages
3. Ideas for water activities, such as water balloon toss or water relay races

B. Community garden

1. Tips for getting involved in a local community garden
2. Ideas for things to plant and grow
3. How to make a fun activity out of helping to maintain the garden

C. Jump ropes

1. Tips for encouraging kids to play with jump ropes
2. Different jump rope games that can be played
3. Ideas for making your own jump ropes from natural materials

D. Nature scavenger hunt

1. Tips for creating a successful scavenger hunt
2. Ideas for things to include on the scavenger hunt list
3. How to make it fun for kids of all ages

E. Water table play

1. Safety precautions
2. Ideas for water activities, such as building dams or creating a water obstacle course
3. Tips for encouraging kids to play and explore with water

Summer Fun Brings Lots Of Opportunities To Play

Summer is the perfect time for fun outdoor activities for kids of all ages. Younger kids will love simple activities like water balloon fights, which are a great activity for developing hand-eye coordination. Outdoor games like jump ropes, hula hoops, and sidewalk chalk are also perfect for this age group. For older kids, a nature scavenger hunt or a treasure hunt are great ways to get them outside and exploring. Water table play and homemade ice cream making are also great options for all ages.

The best ways to make outdoor activities fun for the whole family is to get creative and think outside the box, whether it be creating mud pies with natural materials, or creating a list of outdoor activities that everyone can participate in.

Summer camp and family tradition of outdoor activities can also be a wonderful way for kids to learn about the natural world and to spend quality time with family members. Whether it’s a simple walk on nature trails, or a more adventurous outing like a long walk, red rover, and ball games.

The local library and community garden can also offer great opportunities for backyard games, water play, and spending time outdoors.

With a little bit of planning, a lot of time, and a good reason, your family can enjoy a great time outdoors together, and all of these activities are perfect for the summer months.

Bottom Line

Outdoor activities are essential for the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of older kids. They offer a great opportunity for kids to explore their environment, learn new skills, and spend quality time with family members.

It’s important to remember that outdoor play should be fun and creative for kids of all ages. By using natural materials and incorporating games and challenges, outdoor play can be engaging and exciting for older children.

We hope that this post has provided you with some great ideas for outdoor activities for older kids. We encourage you to try out some of these fun outdoor activities with your own family. From building obstacle courses to nature scavenger hunts, there are plenty of fun things to do together. Whether you’re exploring your local park or enjoying your own backyard, make sure to spend some quality time together and enjoy the benefits of fresh air and physical activity.

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