There’s a well-kept secret that keeps your children busy, happy and healthy without having to travel far.

Do you remember playing outside until the “it’s dinnertime!” call or until the streetlights came on?

Summer means long, joyful days of fun outdoor activities for your children – and the best summer destination for children to play is closer than you think.

Fun Activities For You And Your Children To Do Outdoors In Your Backyard

Outdoor Activities for 0-12 Months

• Use a soft blanket for outdoor tummy time
• Set out rattles and other sensory toys in a shallow inflatable pool
• Surround your child with outdoor textures: dirt from the garden; large, smooth rocks; and wood to let them explore nature
• Create a DIY summer tent to read and play with your child out of direct sunlight
• Mimic and engage with the sounds and objects around you – the sounds of the wind, birds, plants, insects and cars driving by

DIY Summer Tent via Hometalk

Outdoor Activities for Toddlers

• Lay out pots, cooking utensils and dish liquid with outdoor finds such as flowers, dirt, grass and water for an invitation for your children to make fairy and natural potions

Outdoor Kitchen via The Imagination Tree

• Engage your child’s imagination by hosting a ‘car’ wash. Your children will love splashing and washing their favorite toys and bikes
• Host a colour hop to help your toddler with matching by drawing large circles in various colours on your driveway. Invite your child to hop and dance to each of the colours you call out!
• Explore your backyard through music using different natural objects to create sounds and have sing-alongs
• Your toddler will enjoy this mud that’s fun to play with and safe to eat!

Edible mud via Life with My Littles

Outdoor Activities for Preschool

• Have an outdoor scavenger hunt: hide things around your backyard and have your child match colours to the items they find or try this creative bug scavenger hunt
• Use pool noodles for imaginative and active play. Create swords, boats and outdoor games like ring toss or croquet
• Plant flowers and create a visual garden diary with your child to watch how the flowers grow overtime
• Try DIY cardboard box cars for an outdoor movie night
• Start a classic game of ‘Red Light Green Light!’

Cardboard box cars via Smart School House

Outdoor Activities for School-age

• Show off nature in style with this creative nature bracelet idea
• Spend the night outdoors – set up a tent in your backyard and enjoy a night under the stars
• Sunny day? Try some shadow drawing with your child’s favorite things outside
• Use household objects to create a backyard water wall for some STEM fun
• Get crafty by painting empty tin cans and use them for bowling, making stilts, or creating planters!

Backyard Water Fall via Happy Hooligans

Let the summertime fun begin, families!

What outdoor activities will your family be trying in your backyard this summer? Share your plans with us in the comments below or tag us in your adventures on our Wee College Facebook page!