Summer Outdoor Activities For Kids

Kids are meant to be outside. But in today's society, it's normal to spend seven hours staring at a screen while spending a mere seven minutes a day outside.

This is a big problem, leading to physical and mental health issues. And this problem mounts in the summer when kids are no longer in school, but parents are working and don't have time to take their kids on outdoor excursions.

The result is often a summer spent playing video games, eating junk food, and getting almost no exercise.

Want to avoid this problem? Then check out these outdoor activities for kids which can help them have more fun outside than ever before. 

Mountain Biking

Do your kids like to ride bikes? If they get bored easily, it might be due to the trails or sidewalks they are used to riding.

If you want your kids to love biking, then it's time to bring them to a mountain bike trail. You can find mountain biking opportunities in every state, even the flat ones like Florida or the Midwestern states.

Mountain bike trails are much more engaging, providing a full outdoor, athletic experience. It's one of the best summer activities, as they get to immerse themselves in nature, as well.

And no, they don't need to ride risky downhill courses. There are many trails designed for casual riders that pose little risk.

Rock Climbing

Rock climbing is an amazing activity for kids of any age. And it can be done indoors or outdoors.

Most people start out by climbing at an indoor gym and getting comfortable with it. But it pales in comparison to climbing outside on real rock.

During the summer, many rock climbing gyms will have programs for children to learn the ropes. And if you live in an area with outdoor climbing opportunities, there are often camps and clinics that focus on kids and youth as well. 

Do you still have toddlers at home? You can give them a headstart by bringing toddler climbing toys into the backyard. 

The sooner they start climbing, the sooner they learn coordination, how to manage risk, how to be confident, and how to be independent. It's one of the best activities that little kids can engage in.

Plus, it's a full-body workout, keeping kids healthy. If you're going to spend money on toys this summer, it might as well be outdoor toys that give your kids exercise and boost their skills and confidence. 

Fishing

Fishing can be a hit-or-miss activity for children. That's because it requires a lot of patience and isn't always filled with action.

But teaching kids to fish often proves to be one of the best things you can do as parents. Kids who learn to fish at an early age often fish their whole lives.

And it makes for one of the best summer outdoor activities because if the fish don't bite, you can always jump in the water and end the day with a swim.

Fishing gives kids the chance to get out into nature, often in very beautiful locations, be it a lake, river, or the ocean. And it gets kids up close and personal with wildlife, which becomes an educational experience as well. 

And if you can teach your kids how to prepare, cook, and appreciate the taste of fish, you'll raise cultured kids who are more likely to try new things as they get older. 

Play in the Garden
Being able to play in the garden is one of the key outdoor activities you need to make the most of when it comes to making your garden better. This is something you need to focus on as much as possible, and there are plenty of key activities that you need to keep in mind for your kids to enjoy. Games such as table tennis are easy to play for family members of all ages, so check out a good ping pong table review site online, to find a durable weatherproofed outdoor table for your garden gaming space.

The garden can be an untapped resource when it comes to keeping your kids busy over the summer. Taking your animal out into the garden for your kids to play with is also an important element to consider as well. If you can find invisible fence safety for dogs, and make this a key part of your garden space, so it is a safe and strong environment for the children as well as your pets at the same time as well. It is important to try to find some of the best summer outdoor activities for kids, and there are plenty of advantages to playing in the garden this yea

Backyard Obstacle Course

Every kid loves a good obstacle course. Spend just five minutes watching Ultimate Ninja Warrior and they'll start building a course of their own.

But if you don't want the house to turn into a warzone, then build a backyard obstacle course. There are many ways you can build simple, temporary obstacles using supplies that you probably already have at home. 

And you can likely leave the course up throughout the summer so that kids can do laps daily, get exercise, and hone their ninja skills. 

Hiking Challenge

Hiking has always been one of the best outdoor activities. Whether you live in a big city or out in the country, you likely have numerous hiking trails nearby. Make a list of all the family-friendly trails, taking into consideration the age of your kids. 

Share this list with your kids and commit to finishing all of the trails by the end of the summer. You can provide a small treat, like ice cream, after each hike. And you can plan a bigger surprise after you finish all of the trails on the list. 

As your kids get older, this might evolve into hiking all of the trails in your region or even your state, giving your kids an outdoor bucket list that they can work towards. 

Set Up a Water Station

Summer is all about water. And you don't need to have a pool in the backyard for kids to enjoy it.

You can set up a simple water station in the backyard that you fill daily with the hose. Alternatively, you can buy a toddler water table, which comes with toys built-in.

Surprisingly, these simple tables can provide toddlers with hours of fun as they enjoy the sensory experience of water. 

This may also provide mental health benefits, as water is known to be very soothing. Daily water time can become your kid's favorite part of the day. You'll quickly realize that a water table is one of the best outdoor toddler toys ever. 

Go Camping

No child is too young to go camping. And everyone should go at least once over the summer.

Getting away from screens and the comforts of home can be one of the best experiences for kids and adults alike. And with so many campgrounds, state parks, and national parks available in every state, you don't even have to travel far, making this one of the most affordable summer excursions you can take.

The Best Outdoor Activities for Kids

Kids love playing outside. Unfortunately, most have lost their natural desire to be outdoors, along with their curiosity.

The best outdoor activities for kids will keep your kids outside, away from screens for hours every day. The trick is just finding the specific toys and activities that your kids enjoy the most.

Looking for more ideas like this? Check out our blog now to find other helpful articles.