14 Fun and Easy Ways to Play in Your Own Backyard

It’s finally spring—and almost summer, in fact—and there are so many free and fun activities we can do outside, rain or shine. They’re all blissfully simple, plain, good fun, with minimal supplies required (you probably have them already kicking around). So grab the outdoor sneaks and head for the hills—it’s time to get outside!

Have some pool noodles lying around? Great—how about a balloon? Give everyone a pool noodle (broken ones work just fine) and attempt a game of keep up (better for the younger set) or volleyball, using just the pool noodles and the balloon. It’s a great way to get moving and the giggles keep coming. Image via Pinterest

Build the fairies an all-natural house they’ll love to come visit. Use collected found objects like sticks, bark (already off the tree), large leaves (they make a great roof), pinecones and stones to create a spritely abode. From an A-frame cabin to a leaf shelter, they’re all fun and can be decorated with mini pinecones and small pebbles. Don’t forget to take photos! See how here. Image via anneofgreengardens.com

Ah, so very, very easy and so very, very fun. Bust out some measuring cups or sand toys and water and go on a hunt for rocks, leaves and flowers (try the dandelions, kids, and stay out of the garden). Let the kids loose making some delicious creations—and remember that measuring cups, clothes and skin are all washable. Encourage the kids to use their bare hands to mush and create. Have them name their creations like a dessert menu and be the official (pretend) taste tester! See how here.

There are a ton of recipes out there for homemade, safe body paint for kids. So when it’s time for T-shirts and shorts, head outside with a bunch of different colours and let them express themselves with full patterns and paint—like their own very temporary tattoos. When the creations are finished and the photos have been taken, use the hose to rinse them off! See how here.

Biodegradable boats can be fashioned out of twigs and leaves, or you could use your origami skills to make one with paper. Add some natural decorations, and then go on a hunt for a place to let them sail. It could be a pond, creek, lake, puddle, or wading pool—it’s just fun to let them go free. Don’t forget to name each boat and to have an official Christening ceremony—may we suggest apple juice instead of champagne? See how here.

Outside in the yard, playground, park, or walk, pause and look for rocks of varying sizes. When you’ve found enough, stop for a sculpture break. You can try to make your own inuksuks or a free-form expression of balancing rocks—maybe in the form of a mini wall, or Stonehenge. Anything goes, and it’s great for creative expression. See how here.

Just because it’s raining doesn’t mean we need to reach for a movie or screen. Get on the rain boots, and slickers and head outside! Splash in the puddles. Turn faces up to the rain. Measure rainfall. Go for a soggy walk. Rain is beautiful and we will dry off. Plus the kids will always remember the battle of the puddle.

Sure, we use the sidewalk chalk for foursquare, hopscotch and even tic-tac-toe. But what about a collaborative effort (get the whole block involved) to create a beautiful, multi-coloured, free-form mural where anything goes. There is no wrong colour, shape, placement or ideas. If chalk gets on clothes…awesome. Just enjoy the process. See how here. Image via lifeasmama.com

A friendship stick makes for a lovely project for a play date. Forage for an interesting fallen stick or piece of wood. Then use natural paints to add a variety of colors to different parts of the stick. Tie stones, flowers, leaves and pinecones to the tips of the branches using natural twine. At the end of the creative process the makers could exchange sticks or keep their own. Once dry, they’re a great way to bring the outdoors in to decorate a kiddo bedroom. See how here. Image via mollygoldberg.typepad.com

Oh, the kids do love watching the outdoor challenges on Survivor. While we won’t be constructing anything that elaborate, they can have fun designing a course of their own. It could include puzzles, ring or beanbag toss, shooting baskets, balancing (safely), performing the hula-hoop, and even hopping with a balloon or ball between the knees. Make it fun, active and giggly!

Take a look in any yoga colouring book and you’ll see the beautiful circular patterns of multi-faceted designs known as mandalas. A wonderful outdoor project is to create a mandala using found objects like petals, leaves, grass, and stones—whatever catches the eye. Play with symmetry and texture, and have fun creating something personal, just for you. See how here. Image via playfullearning.stfi.re

Grab a smartphone, camera or video camera and head for the woods. When in photographer mode, it’s amazing what details emerge. Even a blade of grass in a backyard can look magical when studied up close. Look for subjects, try different angles, light and composition, and develop a different relationship with the natural world. Those kiddos could just become the next Ansel Adams.

A rock is a wonderful canvas for paint. Collect some rocks that are about the size of an adult hand, and have the kiddos plan out a base colour, design, and a colour for the design. The rock could even serve as a birthday, Mother’s Day or Father’s Day card if the artists elect to write messages on it. Work in stages to allow the base coat to dry and then the next colour, designs and words. It makes a great desktop paperweight or doorstop and will be a lovely reminder of a fun day outside. See how here.

If a ton of rain has left some mud patches in the park, go ahead and get a little mucky. Maybe it’s friendly mud wrestling, practicing slide tackles in the slop, or engaging in a great game of mud soccer or football. Whatever you choose, mud makes it merrier.