Hi parents, what are your favorite outdoor activities for kids that require little prep but ensure lots of fun? Thanks for sharing! — Benjamin
Hi Benjamin, that’s a great question! While I don’t have kids myself and don’t plan to, I’ve always admired how much they can get out of simple, unstructured outdoor time. It’s wonderful to see them explore with a sense of freedom.
For low-prep, high-fun activities, how about a classic like fort building with old sheets, branches, and chairs? Or perhaps a “potion-making station” with water, mud, leaves, and petals? These kinds of activities really let their imaginations run wild. Another idea is a simple nature scavenger hunt – looking for different shaped leaves, smooth stones, or types of insects.
My perspective, rooted in a strong belief in fostering autonomy and trust, is that the best activities are often those where kids can lead, explore their own ideas, and even get a little messy without feeling overly managed. It helps build their confidence and problem-solving skills. It’s about trusting them to discover and learn through play, which I believe is so important for healthy development, much like fostering trust as they learn to navigate other parts of the world.
Oh, hi Benjamin! That’s such a fantastic question, and honestly, one I think about a lot with my own two – a 9-year-old whirlwind and a 13-year-old who’s sometimes too cool for school, but not always! 
Finding those low-prep, high-fun activities is like hitting the parenting jackpot, isn’t it? Especially when you’re trying to encourage more green time and a little less screen time.
For us, the simpler, the better, especially for spur-of-the-moment fun! Here are a few things that work wonders in our backyard:
- Chalk Extravaganza: Sidewalk chalk is our best friend! My 9-year-old can spend ages drawing, and sometimes we create huge board games on the patio or an obstacle course. Even my 13-year-old will occasionally join in to draw something elaborate or challenge us to a game of hopscotch. Zero prep, just hand them the chalk!
- Bubble Mania: You’re never too old for bubbles! We have a couple of those giant bubble wands, and they are mesmerizing. It’s so fun to see who can make the biggest one or whose bubble travels the farthest.
- Water Play (on warmer days, of course!): Even without a pool, a sprinkler can be a source of endless giggles. Water guns or even just buckets and sponges for a “car wash” (on their bikes or outdoor toys) can be a huge hit. My kids still shriek with laughter running through the sprinkler.
- Nature Scavenger Hunt: I quickly jot down a list like “find a perfectly smooth stone, a feather, three different kinds of leaves, something yellow,” etc. It gets them observing and exploring.
- “Fort” Building: A few old blankets or sheets, some chairs, and clothespins – instant fort! They love having their own little hideaway.
One of the biggest reasons I love encouraging outdoor play is that it naturally helps with balancing screen time. As a mom who definitely relies on parental control apps to help manage my kids’ devices (it’s a lifesaver with a pre-teen and a curious younger one!), I’ve noticed a huge difference on days they’ve been active outside. They’re generally happier, more tired in a good way, and there’s just less negotiation or pushback when it’s time for screens to be off. It’s like the fresh air and sunshine make those app-set limits feel a little less like a battle and more like a natural part of the day’s rhythm. Plus, seeing them invent their own fun away from screens is just so rewarding.
Honestly, Benjamin, sometimes just opening the back door and saying “go play!” with a few basic props is all it takes. Don’t feel pressured to make it complicated!
Hope this gives you a few ideas! Would love to hear what ends up being a hit with your kids too.
Warmly,
A fellow mom navigating the fun (and challenges!) of it all! 
Hi Benjamin,
That’s a fantastic question! Getting the kids outdoors and away from their screens is a constant mission in our house, especially with a 15, 10, and 6-year-old all wanting different things (and usually different devices!).
It’s such a relief when they’re actually enjoying being outside, isn’t it? Sometimes I feel like I spend half my energy just trying to peel them away from their devices. Honestly, keeping them safe and managing what they see online when they are glued to those screens is a whole other headache – especially since all the genuinely useful features on those parental control apps seem to be locked behind a paywall! But anyway, back to your actual question about the backyard… a much more pleasant topic!
For “little prep,” we’ve had a lot of success with a few trusty standbys:
- Nature Scavenger Hunt: Just give them a list – a crinkly leaf, a smooth stone, something yellow, a feather, a specific type of bug (if they’re brave!). My youngest (6) loves this, and even the 10-year-old gets into the competitive spirit if there’s a small ‘prize’ like choosing the family movie or getting an extra 15 minutes before bed. Super easy to set up!
- Sidewalk Chalk Extravaganza: Chalk is another lifesaver. Hopscotch, drawing giant murals on the patio, Pictionary, or even just practicing letters and numbers for the little one. Minimal setup, and they can be at it for ages. Plus, it washes away (eventually!).
- Fort Building: Never underestimate the power of a few old blankets, some chairs, and clothespins. That’s a classic for a reason, and it keeps mine occupied for hours. Sometimes even the teenager gets roped into helping “supervise” the construction, ha! It’s amazing what they can come up with using just household items.
I’m always on the lookout for fresh ideas too, especially ones that don’t require buying a ton of new stuff or needing a PhD in event planning just to get them outside for an hour.
What do other parents find works well with different age groups, particularly without breaking the bank? I’d love to hear more!
Best,
Barbara
Oh, hi Benjamin! That’s such a wonderful question. Getting the little ones outside and active without a ton of fuss is just the best, isn’t it?
My grandkids are still young enough that simple things do the trick! We love a good old-fashioned scavenger hunt in the backyard – just “find me three different kinds of leaves, a smooth rock, and something yellow!” Or sidewalk chalk is always a hit for hours of creativity. Bubbles, too! Never underestimate the joy of chasing bubbles. And sometimes, just lying on a blanket and looking for shapes in the clouds can be a lovely, calm activity.
It’s so important for them to get that fresh air and sunshine, especially with all the time they could be spending on their tablets and phones these days. That’s actually something I find myself thinking about a lot – how to balance their interest in online games and videos with all the good old-fashioned fun to be had outdoors. My grandkids are definitely getting more curious about the online world, and honestly, it does make this grandma worry!
I’m always trying to figure out how to best keep them safe when they are online, without being too much of a helicopter grandparent, you know? They need their independence to explore, but goodness, I want to protect them too. I’m not the most tech-savvy person, bless my heart, so it all feels like a bit of a steep learning curve for me.
I’ve actually been doing a bit of research into parental control apps lately – haven’t taken the plunge and picked one yet, as there are so many options out there! If anyone in this group has found one that’s fairly straightforward for us less-techy folks to use and genuinely helpful, I’d be so grateful for any recommendations. I’m thinking something that could help filter out inappropriate content, or maybe let me know if they’re spending an awfully long time on one particular app, would be a real godsend. Just something to give me a bit of peace of mind.
For now, with my grandkids, we really focus on having open conversations about being kind and careful online, and we set some clear boundaries about when and where they can use their devices. And I do try my best to get into those built-in device settings to make sure things are as private as possible, though I sometimes feel like I need a manual just for that!
It’s definitely a journey, isn’t it? So glad for forums like this where we can all share ideas, whether it’s for wonderful backyard activities like you asked, Benjamin, or for navigating this ever-changing digital world with our precious little ones.
Warmly,
Danielle R. Newman