50 Outside Activities for Kids to Do Independently This Summer

These outside activities for kids provide hours of independent play in the summer.

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The summertime is a chance for kids to relax, explore, play, and best of all – spend time outside in warm sunny weather.

Research shows that having kids spend time outdoors has many benefits for kids. Time outdoors:

• encourages exercise
• reduces anxiety
• improves focus
• raises kids’ interest in the environment

But sometimes, finding outside activities for kids can be challenging.

Letting kids experience a bit of boredom can be beneficial for kids since it can push kids to think creatively.

But there moments when our children will come to us claiming they can’t find “anything to do”. It’s in those moments that having a list of outdoor activities kids can choose from can be handy.

Fun outside activities kids can do by themselves in the summer

The majority of the fun outdoor activities on this list are designed to only use common items found in most family homes. They’re also activities that older kids ages 6+ should generally be able to do independently, with minimal help or guidance from you.

Click on the links below to see suggestions, resources, and ideas for each activity.

1. Create an obstacle course
2. Plan a nature scavenger hunt (or use one of these printable scavenger hunts)
3. Catch and release butterflies and bugs
4. Have a 3-legged race
5. Camp in the backyard (pretend play)
6. Run through sprinklers
7. Slide down a slip and slide
8. Blow bubbles
9. Jump rope
10. Play hopscotch
11. Play freeze tag
12. Play hide and go seek
13. Play capture the flag
14. Play red light green light
15. Play charades
16. Play truth or dare
17. Play Simon Says
18. Have a picnic in your yard
19. Build a fort
20. Make mud pies in a mud kitchen
21. Have a water fight
22. Ride bikes
23. Ride scooters
24. Ride skateboards
25. Do bird watching in your own backyard
26. Roller skate or rollerblade
27. Play frisbee
28. Set up a lemonade stand
29. Do a leaf rubbing
30. Make wildflower seed bomb
31. Do a wildflower pressing craft
32. Take photos outdoors
33. Record a video outdoors
34. Climb trees
35. Fly kites
36. Create a small fort with sticks, pine cones, and rocks
37. Make a dandelion chain
38. Play soccer
39. Play catch
40. Create your own outdoor game
41. Go on a treasure hunt
42. Have a water balloon fight (try these biodegradable balloons)
43. Draw a picture of something in nature
44. Make sidewalk chalk art
45. Play on the playset
46. Dig in dirt
47. Plant a garden
48. Finger paint outside
49. Do squirt gun painting
50. Play freeze tag, red light green light, or red rover