10 Fun Backyard Activities for Kids (Even if you have a small yard!)

A list of fun backyard activities for kids of all ages. Get the kids outdoors whether you have a large backyard or a small courtyard.

Fun Backyard Activities for Kids

Looking for some fun backyard activities for kids? Whether you have a large or small backyard, there are plenty of fun outdoor games and activities for kids to keep them occupied independently or with their siblings.

Many indoor games can also be adapted to be played outside too, a little imagination and creativity can go a long way. Below you can find a list of some popular and fun backyard activities for kids to keep them occupied outdoors.

1. Treasure Hunt

A treasure hunt is a fun backyard activity for kids that can keep them occupied for a while because of the stages involved. While with little kids you will need to draw the treasure map and help them follow it, older kids can be involved in the whole process.

Kids can take turns (either with a parent or sibling), to hide the treasure. First get them to choose some treasure, and then draw a large treasure map themselves. They will need to head outside, and measure each of their steps so the map is correct. Once they have planted the treasure, it is time to explore! See how accurate you can make it!

2. Four Square

Have some chalk and a ball handy? Four square is an easy game that can lead to hours of fun and laughter. You can play in the backyard if you have some concrete, or even on your drive way. Draw your four squares, and start bouncing. Don’t have four players? Improvise and use two squares each!

3. Hopscotch

Another fun backyard game for kids using chalk is hopscotch. And if you don’t have chalk, you can use sticks to make it on the grass. Even if you have a small backyard, hopscotch doesn’t take up much room at all. Once you have created your hopscotch, get a stone and start hopping away.

4. Obstacle Course

You can make an obstacle course as small or large as you want it and you can use anything you have available. Climb over or under chairs, run around a pole or table, do some star jumps or follow the lines. Get creative!

5. Hula Hoop

Grab a hula hoop, put some music on and get hooping! Kids can compete to see who can hoola hoop the longest. Get creative using hips, hands, lets and other parts of the body.

6. Scavenger Hunt

Scavenger hunts are an easy DIY backyard activity for kids and are so much fun. Write a list of things kids need to find and send them off searching.

You can make the list as short of as long as you like, depending on how long you would like to keep them busy. Kids can compete with each other to see who can find everything first, or they can work as a team to find everything together. Print off our scavenger hunt lists here.

7. Aiming Games

If you have things like darts or wooden quoits these are a lot of fun. If not you can easily make some DIY aiming games using things you have at home or in your backyard. You could set up a bucket with and throw some stones, or you can draw some circles with chalk to aim for. Get kids to use their imaginations.

8. Build a Fort or Cubby

Another fun backyard activity for kids that can last for hours and create lots of laughs is building a fort or cubby. Using chairs, tables, sticks, blankets, tarps, or whatever is available.

9. Sand or Water Table

A sand or water table creates lots of fun in the backyard whatever the weather. During the Summer fill up the table container with water and let the kids get wet. In colder weather you can fill it with sand, hide some toys underneath and let the kids get digging.

10. Camp out

Have a tent? A camp out is the ultimate backyard activity for kids and families. Fill your tent with pillows, blankets, and some camp out games. Bring your torches and have a camp out like you would if you were out in the woods. Tell stories, sleep under the stars and wake up together with the sunrise.

More Backyard Activity For Kids?

Looking for more kids activities that you can do inside or outside? We have many more fun ideas, check out these posts:

• 50+ things to do with kids at home
• Summer kids activities
• Fun exercises for kids
• Sensory activities for kids
• Easy experiments for kids

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