32 Fun Activities For Kids To Do In Their Own Yard

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Need something to do outside while still staying home? These fun activities for kids to do in their own yard are a perfect way to welcome spring or celebrate summer vacation without needing any major planning or expense. They’re ideal for stay at home parents, those without a vehicle, or anyone stuck at home. 

There’s so much fun and adventure to be found right in your own backyard. You don’t need to have acres of land or expensive play equipment for kids to have a blast, either. 

32 Fun Activities For Kids To Do In Their Own Yard

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Make a DIY rope bridge. All you need is sturdy rope, a couple of trees, and great knotting skills. Just don’t make it too high off the ground.

Create giant bubbles by mixing household ingredients and glycerine. Kids will have a blast and you can combine it with a science lesson.

Catch bugs and put them in a bug house. Older kids might enjoy using a book or a smartphone to try and identify which bugs live in their backyard.

Set up a DIY mini golf course made from recycled objects and whatever’s already in your backyard. 

Find a log or piece of wood that would make a great DIY balance beam. It’s a great way to have kids develop balance and gross motor skills.

Have kids complete a nature scavenger hunt by finding a list of things in the backyard. You can either make your own list or get one online that fits with your area. 

Make homemade playground equipment with recycled items. Think things like rope/tire swings, homemade see-saws, etc. 

Set up a hidden object hunt for the kids. You can do this with almost anything – plastic eggs (like for Easter), small toys, or just photos hiding around. Give each kid a list of what they need to find and see who can do it the fastest! 

Water activities for kids to do in their yard

Make a homemade slip and slide by setting up a tarp on the ground. Use the hose to keep water flowing and for extra speed try adding bubble bath or baby shampoo. 

Have a sponge fight with sponges from the dollar store. Fill up buckets and soak the sponges – they can be used again and again and clean up is a breeze.

Make a water balloon pinata by hanging full balloons from a tree. Kids can take turns hitting them with a broom handle… The only prize is getting wet! 

“Paint” the fence with a clean paintbrush and bucket of water. This only works on wooden fences but it’s fun and safe for younger kids. 

Make a mud pit and let kids play in the mud. Other fun ideas are letting them make mud pies and bringing out the sand toys. 

Set up an ice block excavation by freezing a bunch of small toys and objects into a large container. Kids will need to use their best archeology skills to chip those toys out! 

Turn a kiddie pool into a bath by adding bubble bath. It’s a super fun way to cool off and skip bath night. 

Creative backyard activities

Make a fairy garden with stuff collected around the yard. You could also add some painted rocks! 

Plant a herb or vegetable garden as a family and have the kids take care of it. Planting, watering, weeding, and harvesting are all fun activities for kids of all ages.

Make DIY birdfeeders for your backyard guests. You can also encourage kids to take up birdwatching and help them identify the ones in their yard. 

Sketch nature by giving your kids their own sketchbooks and pencils. Have them draw something they see in the backyard! 

Melt crayons by placing aluminum foil on a cookie sheet. Then set the crayons on top and place the sheet somewhere sunny. Not only is this a clever science experiment, you can also place multiple crayons together so they’ll melt into one.

Make shadow drawings by lining up toys in the sunlight so they cast a shadow on paper. Then have kids trace the shapes using their shadows! 

Relaxing activities for kids to do in their own backyard

Set up a tent to play in. Or consider having a backyard campout as a family! You could even roast marshmallows if you have a backyard fire pit.

Read in the sun or have kids make their own special outdoor reading nook. If you have a hammock you already have a perfect reading spot! 

Give them their own clothesline. Either have them help with the laundry or let kids wet some rags and then hang them to dry. 

Watch an outdoor movie by either using a projector or setting up your TV outside. Kids and parents can bring pillows and blankets out for a cozy family experience. 

Have a backyard picnic. You can let the kids play pretend or set it up for real (even having the kids make and pack the lunch!). 

Backyard games that are fun for kids and families

Play croquet and take turns setting up the course. 

Pick up a safe set of lawn darts and have fun teaching kids how to play this classic game. 

Consider buying older kids a badminton set that you can set up in your backyard. 

If you have a large group, get them going on classic outdoor games like red rover, red light, green light, or marco polo. 

With just a ball you can entertain kids with games like soccer, volleyball, basketball, or even monkey in the middle. 

Have races or set up obstacle courses. You can easily use household objects or things found around your yard and tailor them to your kids’ ages.

Encourage free play in your backyard

Setting up, planning, and suggesting fun activities for kids to do in their own yard are a great way to pass the time and encourage kids to get outside. But it’s equally important to give children unstructured time to play outside. That way they can explore and use their own imaginations, which is important for kids of all ages. 

What are your favorite outside activities for your kiddos?! I would love to hear in the comments! 🙂