Fun Backyard Activities to Do with Your Kids

The weather is finally warming up, which means now is the perfect time to spend some time outside with your family. The only problem is that most parks and outdoor recreation areas are currently closed. Fortunately, there are many enjoyable outdoor activities that you can do from the comfort of your backyard. If y’all are looking for a safe way to soak up the sun with your little ones, check out my list of fun backyard activities to do with your kids.

Have a backyard picnic

Having a backyard picnic is a simple, easy, and inexpensive way to make mealtime more fun for your kiddos. All you need is a large blanket, a basket, and some delicious snacks—with all that, you’re ready to go. There is something about dining in the summer sunshine that makes PB&Js taste so much better.

Create a backyard sensory bin

For an educational and fun outdoor activity to do with your kids, consider making a backyard sensory bin. A sensory bin is essentially a box filled with items that stimulate one or more of a child’s senses—touch, taste, smell, sight, or hearing. To put a fun outdoor twist on creating a classic sensory bin, consider filling the bin with items that you can find in your backyard such as pebbles, twigs, weeds, or leaves.

Your children are sure to love hunting around your backyard to find new items to add to their little sensory habitat. Plus, sensory play is extremely beneficial for your child’s development and can enhance their language skills, strengthen their memory, and facilitate cognitive growth.

Enjoy a classic backyard game

Help strengthen your child’s—and your own—coordination skills by setting up a bag toss game in your backyard. Bag toss is the quintessential backyard game and has served as a central activity at countless outdoor gatherings.

If you don’t have a set of cornhole boards and cornhole bags, it’s time to get creative. You can mimic this classic backyard game by cutting a hole in a cardboard box and tossing Ziploc baggies full of rice.

Throw a backyard movie night

To make movie night a little more special, consider taking it to your backyard. Setting up a backyard movie night is easier than you might think. Just gather a projector, a white sheet, blankets, and pillows to sit on, and a fun movie to watch. It’s like going to the drive-in right in your backyard. To make your movie night even more memorable, set up a little “concession stand” with popcorn and snacks to munch on during the movie.