In this blog post, we will outline some of the best outdoor activities for kids.
Numerous research studies have been done on the benefits children gain by spending time outside as against indoors. The average kid spends close to ten minutes outside and over 7 hours indoors. According to research points that it’s very disastrous to their mental and physical health.
This is why we suggest you consider trying some of these 19 outdoor activities for kids that will improve them both mentally and physically.
Let’s dive in!
Benefits gained by spending more time outside in nature
Nature has a lot to offer in terms of the benefits they can enjoy by spending more time in it.
- By playing outside, they strengthen their physical bodies which would not have happened if they turn into couch potatoes indoors.
- They build their morale because by interacting with nature they come to understand that they have control over their actions.
- Their creativity is sparked. Nature imposes no specific structure on our minds hence they are free to formulate their own thoughts and ideas about things.
Fruit Picking
This may be one of the best fun outdoor activities to influence your kids to spend more time outside.
You can search and visit different farms based on your preferred fruit. Depending on the area you live in, you might go for oranges, blueberries, or strawberries. Be sure to wait for the right season.
Here is a list of farms for those who live in Florida and Virginia.
- Mackintosh Fruit Farm,1608 Russell Rd, Berryville, VA
- Eastfields Farms Blueberries, 85 Preston Pt Rd. Mathews Va 23109, 804 725-3948.
- Green Truck Farm, 3015 Hartland Lane, Markham, VA
- Honeyside Farms – Parrish
- Spivey Farms – Plant City
- Brown’s Farm – Hawthorne
This activity will inspire your kids to admire nature and frequent the activity as well.
Happy Picking.
Visit A Botanical Garden
If you your child to have fun and improve their mental capacity, then a botanical garden is one of the best outdoor activities for your child.
The wealth of plants will help your kid improve his or her analytical skills. Their minds will move to classify, compare and contrast the different fruits and plants available.
Your child will learn a lot.
Gardening
Instead of visiting a botanical garden, you can start a gardening project together with your kids.
It will not only teach your kids how to produce their own food but provide them with physical exercise that will benefit them for years to come. They will also learn how to eat healthily.
Let your kids go green.
Group Exercise
Give your kids the gift of a strong body by priming them with consistent workouts at an early age. The collaborative nature of group work out will help them develop the habit of exercising on a regular basis hence a strong and healthy body.
Go On A Hike
Hiking is a healthy outdoor activity for your kids.
If you love hiking, introduce your kids to the idea. Let them pack the necessities and head into the woods nearby to enjoy the outside world. Walking in nature has a calming effect that helps your kids reduce their stress levels and improve their cognitive health.
Don’t let them waste their time indoors.
Camp In Your Backyard
Rather than going on a hike, enjoy a good old fashion camp set up in your backyard.
You kids will get to experience the outside world in a slightly different way. Just make sure to have some snacks and some good stories for the night.
Bike Ride
Since biking is a physical activity, it builds their muscles and increases their body strength.
Research suggests that children who prefer cycling not only improve their fitness level but also increase their ability to learn and develop exponentially. The best about this activity is, you can do it in a group.
Incorporate this into their daily routine by letting them ride to school if there are no accidental issues or having them ride within the community after school.
Kite Flying
Flying kites is both an enjoyable and learning activity.
Since the brain learns through associations, having kids fly kites outdoors helps them to truly understand complex concepts like physics, aerodynamics, and weather-related topics fairly easily. Your kids also learn while having fun.
Photography Journal
Photography for kids is both fun and educational.
The first thing you need to get your kid involved in photography is to get him or her a nice cute camera. Take them outside either into the woods or somewhere interesting. The idea is to let them have fun and enjoy the process of capturing the world around them. They will learn things they wouldn’t have learned rather than binge-watching some Netflix children’s channels.
After any photo day, print them out and let them see their handy work.
Tree Climbing
Tree Climbing improves the child’s mental and physical fitness.
The very act of climbing trees for kids boosts their confidence. They feel proud of being able to accomplish such a feat. In addition, since it requires physical energy they also strengthen their bodies exponentially. As the saying goes, the more you use it, the more you get.
However, ensure their safety by going for strong trees such as buckeye, oak, and mature maple trees.
Have fun and stay safe.
Bird Watching
Watching and documenting birds is both a fun and learning activity.
The act of bird watching demands you remain alert to the subject of your watch. This will help your kids develop better observational skills and learn more about the world. But before that grab a camera or pair of binoculars together with your children and head out on the adventure.
Learn and have fun learning about birds.
Walk A Dog
Your family dog is an opportunity for hour kids to spend more time outside.
Have your kids take the dog out for a stroll in the park. It is healthy for your child and the dog also benefits from the exercise.
Slip And Slide
Kids love slipping and sliding down.
If it’s their first time, that makes it more fun than ever.
Giant Bubbles
Creating giant bubbles is a fun activity for kids.
The way the bubbles bend after formation is a marvel to them and helps them to develop their creativity.
Here is a good resource on how to make a giant bubble:
Paper Boat Races
This activity has stood the test of time as children fancy it very much.
Let your child grab a piece of paper and mold it into a boat. Then, place it in water and watch it move. It marvels their minds and helps them to grow mentally.
Learn it here and teach your kids how to make paper boats with this tutorial:
Jumping Rope
Another outdoor activity to improve both physical and mental fitness.
Get yourself and your kids a rope to jump with and get along with the activity. You can perform this activity in your backyard.
Outdoor Movie Night
Instead of watching movies indoors, bring the fun outside and enjoy the nice scenery.
Take out your favorite movie and set up your projector in your backyard. Get some snacks and enjoy watching movies outside for a change.
Visit The Zoo
Grab a camera and with your kids head to the nearest zoo.
Your kids will have fun learning and increasing their understanding of the world. The best part is they experience learning together with you. If they are already learning about animals in school, they can fill in the gaps in their understanding.
Happy learning!
Visit The Beach
The beach is also another great location you can visit.
Your kids will get to interact with nature and benefit from it. They will have less stress, boost confidence, and learn new things about the world.
Be sure to ensure their safety.
Related Articles
References
- https://childmind.org/article/why-kids-need-to-spend-time-in-nature/#:~:text=Many%20researchers%20agree%20that%20kids,nature%20can%20build%20their%20confidence.
- Fruit picking. (2023, March 4). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fruit_picking
- https://www.medibank.com.au/livebetter/be-magazine/exercise/6-reasons-why-kids-should-ride-bikes/#:~:text=Riding%20a%20bike%20not%20only,with%20those%20who%20are%20driven.
- https://www.news4jax.com/health/2022/05/11/too-much-time-inside-are-your-kids-nature-deficient/
