Summer is a great time to get outside and have some backyard fun with these activity ideas.
Posted on
June 24, 2015 by
Kendra Moyses, Michigan State University Extension
Summer weather makes it the perfect time to get outside and have some
fun in your own backyard. Don’t have a backyard? That’s OK, you can do
these activities in any space outside. These activities are not only
fun, but will help your child work on developing skills like
coordination, grasping and hand-eye coordination. If you add in other
children, they will also work on teamwork, communication and
cooperation. Use these fun activities to get outside and have some fun!
- Use a pillowcase or sturdy bag to have a sack race. Put both feet in the pillowcase or sturdy bag and hop to the finish line!
- Water balloon piñatas. Fill balloons with water and hang them from a tree branch, then use a broom handle to hit them and get a little wet.
- Nature painting. Collect different objects from
around the yard such as rocks, leaves, clumps of grass, tree branches,
flowers or other natural objects. Dip the objects in paint and use the
paint brushes to create a unique work of art.
- Water music. Collect different glass containers and
fill them up with different amounts of water. Use a metal fork or other
utensil to lightly tap the containers to see what different sounds they
make. Try and play a song.
- Three-legged race. Use a scarf or tie to tie one of
your legs together with another person so that you have “three” legs.
Then see how fast you can run across the backyard or race others.
- Water balloon baseball. Fill balloons with water
and use them as baseballs or softballs. Have someone pitch them and try
and hit them with a bat or broom handle. Don’t forget to run around your
bases!
- Outdoor bowling. Grab some empty plastic bottles
and set them up like bowling pins. Use a ball (basketball, soccer ball,
softball) and play a game of bowling.
- Sun art. Grab some dark-colored construction paper
and different objects such as toys or natural objects such as leaves or
flowers. Place them on the paper in different designs and then set them
outside in the sun for a couple hours and see what happens to the paper!
- Scavenger hunt. Place different items around the
yard and let the kids loose to try and find them. You could also create
clues or a map to help kids find the hidden objects.
- Have a picnic. Take a blanket outdoors and place it on the ground, eat lunch or snacks outside together.
Being outside can be fun and help children learn and build their
skills. For more ideas about activities and articles on child
development, academic success, parenting and life skill development,
please visit the
Michigan State University Extension website.
