58 Outdoor Ideas for Kids in the Garden - Activities for Kids that Ensure Good Mood
With these ideas and impulses, your children always have something to do in the garden. This way, they never get bored, and they will grow and learn a lot
From Martin Gebhardt. Check out my “About me” page.
👉 The key facts from this guide
- There are many outdoor ideas that you can do with your children in the garden.
- Such as setting up an obstacle course in the garden, playing hide and seek and treasure hunt, water balloon fights and painting outdoors, gardening and picnics in the garden, making soap bubbles and observing animals, sandbox games and artwork with natural materials.
- Be a role model and motivate your children – it will definitely work.
Are you looking for ideas on how to create a great time for your children in your own garden?
Maybe you want to keep them away from screens or you just want them to spend more time outdoors?
We all know how important it is for children to get outside and play.
But it can be difficult to constantly find new activities that excite them.
Don't worry, I have the perfect solution for you - a big list of 58 outdoor ideas for children in the garden.
Whether your children are little explorers, artists, or adventurers, there is something for everyone.
In this post, I will share some ideas with you that will keep your children entertained for hours. Let's get started!
The Great List of Outdoor Ideas for Your Kids in the Garden
- Obstacle course: Set up an obstacle course in the garden using tires, cones, ropes, and other objects that children have to climb, jump, and crawl through.
- Hide and seek: Hide and seek is a classic game and a great way for children to use their imagination. You can make the game even more exciting by adding hidden treasures for them to find.
- Water balloon fights: On hot days, children can cool off with water balloon fights. Simply fill balloons with water and let the fun begin!
- Outdoor painting: Provide canvases, paints, and brushes and let children paint outdoors. They can use the nature around them as inspiration.
- Gardening: Children can help with gardening by planting flowers or growing vegetables. This is not only educational but also a great way to spend time outdoors.
- Garden picnic: Set up a picnic blanket and invite children to eat outside. You can also teach them how to make sandwiches and other simple meals.
- Blowing bubbles: Children love bubbles! You can buy bubble solution and wands or make your own bubble solution.
- Observing animals: If there are many birds, butterflies, or other animals in the garden, children can observe them and learn more about them.
- Playing in the sandbox: A sandbox in the garden is a great place for children to play. You can add sand toys for them to build sandcastles and be creative.
- Creating artwork with natural materials: Let children collect leaves, sticks, and stones and create artwork with them. This can range from sculptures to collages.
- Organizing a treasure hunt: Hide objects in the garden and create a treasure map for children to use to find the hidden treasures.
- Building a campfire: If it is safe and allowed, you can make a small campfire in the garden where children can roast marshmallows and tell stories.
- Organizing a mini Olympics: Set up a course where children can complete various challenges, such as jumping over cones, running slalom, and overcoming hurdles.
- Organizing a plant hunt: Write names of different plants on cards and hide them in the garden. Children then have to find the cards and identify the matching plants.
- Building a fort: With a few sticks and blankets, children can build a fort in which they can hide or play.
- Playing with water: Children can play with water in various forms, such as with a sprinkler, a paddling pool, or a water spray from the garden hose.
- Outdoor yoga: Have a yoga session outdoors to help children relax and improve their posture.
- Playing with animals in the garden: If it is safe, children can play with a friendly dog or cat in the garden.
- Setting up an outdoor cinema: Hang a screen and project movies or videos for children to watch while sitting on blankets or chairs.
- Hosting a small garden party: Invite a few children and host a small garden party with music, food, and games.
- Building a DIY birdhouse: Build a birdhouse with children that they can hang in the garden.
- Hanging a nest swing: A nest swing is a great addition to the garden where children can swing for hours.
- Experimenting with colors: Give children colors and canvases or paper for them to get creative and experiment with colors outdoors.
- Building an insect hotel: Build an insect hotel to explain to children the importance of insects and their role in nature.
- Painting with watercolors: Let children paint with watercolors on stones or on the garden pathway.
- Setting up a mini golf set: Build a simple mini golf set with PVC pipes, balls, and clubs and let children play in the garden.
- Organizing a photo scavenger hunt: Create a list of items and situations in the garden that children should photograph and let them complete the list.
- Conducting an animal observation: With binoculars or a magnifying glass, children can observe different animals in the garden and learn more about them.
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Why the garden (outdoor time) is so important for children's health
I can still remember my grandparents' garden. I loved making a little fire there the most. My grandpa didn't really like it, but my grandma supported me.
But I also built little houses, small villages, and played with many natural materials. My grandparents always had good impulses.
And have you ever wondered why it is so important for children to spend time in the garden?
I have looked into it and I must say, there are many valid reasons.
Firstly, the garden is a great place for physical activities. When the kids play, run around, and play ball in the garden, they strengthen their muscles and bones and stay fit and healthy.
Furthermore, the garden is a wonderful source of vitamin D, which our bodies need to grow and develop.
But it's not just about physical health, the garden can also help children take responsibility and build self-confidence. When they help with gardening, planting and harvesting plants, they feel important and learn that their work is valuable.
And hey, there's nothing better than seeing the joy on children's faces as they play and have fun in the garden.
I think that the garden is a place where children can unleash their imagination and unleash their creativity. They can carry out their own projects and the best part is that it takes place outdoors, which just makes everything even better.
Overall, there are many reasons why it is important for children to spend time in the garden, and I believe that we can all contribute by providing them with this space.
So, grab your kids and head out to the garden - it will definitely be worth it!
Summary
And there you have it - 58 great outdoor ideas for children in your own garden.
From funny games and creative activities to explorations and adventures - there is something for everyone.
I hope that this list has provided you with inspiring ideas to motivate your children to spend more time outdoors and explore nature.
Try out some of these ideas and see how much joy they can bring to your children. Let's inspire our kids together to play outside, be creative, and discover the beauty of nature!
And if you have more ideas that you would like to share with other parents, don't hesitate to share them in the comments below.
This guide is part of the "Outdoor with Kids" series and here you can find even more:
Author of the guide
Martin Gebhardt
Hey, I'm Martin. On my blog, you will learn the basics and numerous details about living in the wild. I think survival, bushcraft and the good life in nature are the keys to happiness. Find me here on Instagram or on YouTube. You can find more about my mission on the About Me page.
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