Easy Summer Outside Activities for Kids

Every mom out there can use a little boost when it comes to easy summer outside activities for kids. There is so much excitement leading up to Summer, but we know the truth...eventually, the kids will use the "B" word. Let me explain. For little and big kids alike, summer is full of dreamy days. Slip 'n slide fun and popsicles. Bike rides and cannon balls. Endless possibilities, right? Wrong. Eventually, the kids will slap ya with a "Mom!! I'm bored."

I am not a cruise ship director. Sure, I like to be a fun mom, but it's not my job to be the entertainment 24-7 during the summer. Which is why I open the sliding door to our backyard and say "Have fun!" most days. But still.

There are some days when the kids claim they've done aaaallllll the things already and feel bored. So, I help them get curious and say something like "So you're feeling bored? This is an opportunity for your brain to get creative!" Some days that's enough to get the kids creative juices flowing and they dive head first into making stuffed animal accessories out of play doh (stuffed animals need food and water dishes too, ya know) or building a fort outside.

But the days that they're feeling stuck and ask for suggestions? I'm armed. I pull out my trusty list of easy summer outside activities for kids that I've been collecting ever since I found out I was pregnant with my oldest. This summer I'm turning that list into an "I'm Bored" jar and placing it on my kitchen counter in an effort to help the kids look for adventure. Although my family loves to adventure in big ways, adventure doesn't have to be grand. Adventures comes in all shapes and sizes, so my goal with the "I'm bored" jar is to encourage the kids to look for adventure everywhere this summer...even in our own backyard!

Create your own "I'm bored!" Jar full of Easy Summer Outside Activities for Kids

Grab an old jar (the spaghetti jar from last night's dinner will do!), print off the list below, cut the activities into strips, fold, and drop in the jar. Viola! Easy boredom buster activities for the kids that get them OUTSIDE adventuring this summer! Alternatively, each activity could be written on a popsicle stick and placed in a jar. Note: Some of these activities may require you to help a bit, but for reference, many of the activities I've included here I let my 5 and 7 year olds complete independently. (Does that mean I'm lazy or kickass? Don't answer that.)

• Blow Bubbles
• Make Bubbles!
• Go on a Bike Ride
• Build a Fort
• Have a cartwheel contest
• Roll down a hill
• Fly a Kite
• Tend to the Garden/ Water the flowers
• Camp in the Backyard
• Star Gaze
• Host a backyard picnic with neighbors
• Hide treasure in the backyard and create a treasure map
• Catch fireflies
• Dig for worms
• Race down the slip 'n slide (or make your own with a tarp!)
• Have a water balloon fight
• Create a backyard obstacle course
• Use a stick and play limbo in the backyard
• Jump on the trampoline
• Play hot lava (Pick an object that you can't step on (lava). Did you play this one when you were a kid?!)
• Create a backyard scavenger hunt
• Play board games on the porch (Ticket to ride is our current fave!)
• Eat popsicles under a shady tree
• Outside dance party!
• Climb trees
• Offer to wash Mom or Dad's car
• Run through the sprinklers
• Make chalk paint (mix smashed up chalk with water) and create a driveway masterpiece
• Build an outdoor tape road
• Make a Mud Pit in the baby pool (and drive toy cars through it!)
• Paint Outside: Tape Resist Art!
• Play scientist with baking soda, vinegar, and food coloring
• Create a nature cutting bin
• Build ramps for remote control cars
• Play water beads in the baby pool
• Play Mud Kitchen
• Kick a Soccer ball around
• Play hopscotch
• Play foursquare
• Jumprope
• Create a synchronized routine on the swing set
• Jump in puddles (or make your own puddles!)
• Collect nature treasures and make artwork with it
• Create a family flag using nature treasures
• Build habitats outside for toy animal figurines
• Play wiffle ball
• Have a 3 legged-race
• Try to juggle!