30 Ways to Get Your Kid to Play Outside

Host a Backyard Campout

camping, backyard campout, nwf, national wildlife federation, no child left inside, be out there kids in a tent in the backyard

The outdoor vacation is making a comeback! A report from the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association says that overnight backpacking went up 18.5% between 2007 and 2008. And, in April, REI’s tent sales were up 14% over the same period last year.

But if your family’s not quite ready for wilderness camping, organize a campout in your own backyard! The Great American Backyard Campout is June 27. To get the kids exciting about camping, visit Ranger Rick\'s Campzone.

Engage the Senses

nature deficit disorder, no child left inside, be out there, nwf, national wildlife federation kid in woods with binoculars

A recent Kaiser Family Foundation study found that kids spend, on average, more than six hours per day with electronic media. The antidote for gamer’s eye and texter’s thumb is right outside the door, where neighborhood nature offers sights, sounds—even smells—to engage and recharge all of a child\'s senses.

Go on a Treasure Hunt

treasure hunt, letterboxing, geocaching, be out there, nwf treasure map Text: Ever try letterboxing or its high-tech counterpart, geocaching? These family-friendly activities are a great way to have fun together outdoors, get some exercise, and work on skills such as problem solving, map reading, and math.

Enjoy the Simple Pleasures

daisy chain, be out there, nwf, national wildlife federation, no child left inside girl wearing daisy chain

Sometimes the simplest outdoor activities leave the most lasting memories for kids. Remember how to skip a stone, make a daisy chain, or blow a grass whistle?

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These easy games could be making your child happier, too. Research by Cornell University environmental psychologist Nancy Wells shows that children with more exposure to nature have reduced stress levels and longer attention spans.

Rock On! (With a Rock Collection)

collecting rocks, pet rocks, be out there, nwf pebbles and rocks

Smooth pebbles, jagged limestone rocks, shimmering quartz crystals—every child knows the perfect rock when he or she sees it. Turn loose your rock hounds to find specimens of every size, shape, color, texture, and sheen imaginable—and do a little backyard science by comparing their relative hardness or simply have fun by turning them into pet rocks.

Be Nature Detectives

scavenger hunt, be out there, nwf A nature scavenger hunt is a great way to explore your backyard, neighborhood, or any green space. As your children grow older, they\'ll be able to make their own scavenger hunt lists – and send YOU on the hunt. Download an example (pdf).

Go on a Photo Safari

photography, national wildlife federation, nwf, no child left inside, be out there boy with camera

Your family doesn’t need to travel to the Serengeti to have a photographic adventure. Simply peering through a camera lens is a great way to see the world around you from a fresh perspective.

Check out some amazing amateur shots for inspiration, then head out to the backyard or a local park and put these six tricks for better pix to use.

Jump in a Pile of Leaves

jump in leaves, be out there, nwf kid jumping in a pile of leaves Instead of looking at leaf-raking as a dreaded chore, think of it as the necessary prelude to an afternoon of jumping into a pile of leaves. You might be able to get your kids to help if they know they have something to look forward to! And for some fun with leaves in the non-autumn months, try doing some nature rubbings.

Buddy Up with the Birds

birds, bird house, nwf, national wildlife federation, no child left inside, be out there boy placing bird nesting box

City, country, or anywhere in between, birds are probably the most familiar wildlife we see each day. Invite them to your own green space by making homemade feeders for songbirds and hummingbirds. Or, simply enjoy their songs and calls—and see if you and your child can identify these familiar birds by sound.

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See more bird conservation tips, and family friendly citizen science projects that benefit birds and other wildlife.

Get Crafty with Mother Nature

nwf, be out there, crafts, pine cone Kids are natural collectors – why not use the seeds, pine cones and rocks they gather after a day outside as part of an at-home craft project? Or, set aside a space on a windowsill or table to display your child’s collection.

Walk This Way

exercise, scavenger hunt, be out there, no child left inside, nwf, national wildlife federation family jogging

The U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services recommends one hour a day of physical activity for children. Make a walk part of your family\'s routine! You can play a nature scavenger hunt (pdf) to keep it fun. \r\n\r\n

To find a walking trail near you, plug your zipcode into this NWF database of parks, trails and other outdoor destinations.

Sing (and Splash) in the Rain

rain boots, play in the rain, be out there, nwf muddy boots Why wait for the rain to go away, just to come again another day? Let your child pull on a pair of rubber boots and a raincoat and explore the rainy-day world of squishy yards and splashy mud puddles. Earn bonus points by joining them in the soggy fun!

Grow a Green Thumb

gardening, no child left inside, be out there, nwf, national wildlife federation boy in garden

Gardening is a great family activity that can help teach children about so many things—life cycles, pollination, and nutrition, just to name a few. Whether it’s in your own yard or a community garden plot, why not plant a garden with your child—one to benefit both humans and wildlife? Research shows that children who plant vegetable gardens tend to make healthier nutritional choices as adults.

Stop to Smell, Plant and Press the Flowers

flower pressing, be out there, nwf flower pressing Stop to smell the roses—and to appreciate any of the wildflowers your family can find growing nearby. Make a keepsake of a favorite flower by pressing it, or make a haven for butterflies by growing wildlife-friendly native flowers in your backyard or balcony.

Get Dirty!

dirt, nwf, national wildlife federation, no child left inside, be out there kid boots in mud

Kids love dirt! Put a spoon or a small shovel in their hand and they will dig a hole to China ... or make a dozen mud pies. Let your kids get dirty: A growing number of researchers believe that good old-fashioned dirt play exposes children to a myriad of bacteria, viruses and microbes that strengthen their immune systems. So, dedicate a small part of your yard as a digging station. No yard? No problem. Set aside a large container or flower box just for digging in the dirt.

Take a Night Hike

night hike, moon, be out there, nwf moon in sky Exploring nature doesn\'t stop when the sun goes down. Spend some time with the moon, the stars and all the animals that like to be active at night. Go for a moon walk and have your child keep a moon journal. The darkness outside makes it more of an adventure!

Bug Off!

insects, bug collecting, nwf, national wildlife federation, nwf, no child left inside, be out there kid with magnifying glass in grass

Sure, there will always be the occasional stinger or biter to watch out for, but the vast majority of insects are harmless. Even better, they’re plentiful, accessible, and fascinating for kids to study up close.

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Get tips for catching bugs in backyards, parks and meadows—and for staying safe while doing so.

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Meet the (Wild) Neighbors

birds nest Take a walk through your backyard, neighborhood, or local park and discover the many different kinds of animal homes to be found. Nests, webs, hives, and holes—all these and more are on this animal homes worksheet to help your child find the signs of wildlife living nearby.

Make a Nature Map

nature map, be out there, nwf little girl drawing Have your child make a map of your neighborhood — using only natural landmarks. This will heighten their observation skills and can be the first step in creating a \"field guide\" to the nature in your neighborhood.

Build a Fort

nwf, national wildlife federation, fort, no child left inside, be out there kids building a fort No batteries, no instructions—just a lot of fun and satisfaction. Bushes, trees, cardboard boxes, old blankets—you may have turned them into a secret play space when you were a child; don’t let your kids miss the chance to exercise their imaginations and build a fort of their own.

Explore Down Under

earthworm, be out there, nwf girl with earthworm Does your child think there’s nothing to see or do near you? Turn over almost any rock, log, brick, or patio stone to reveal the hidden world of insects, worms, snails, and pill bugs just waiting to be discovered.

Watch the Clouds

watching clouds, be out there, nwf clouds You need no supplies or special expertise for this one. Picking out shapes in the clouds is a classic childhood moment – and a great way to engage a visual learner. All that’s needed is a sky filled with big fluffy marshmallow clouds (a.k.a. cumulus clouds) — and a whole lot of imagination.

Paint with Berries

blackberries, paint, be out there, nwf blackberries in a kids hands Berry-picking is a great way to get outside while showing your kids that food doesn’t originate in the plastic-wrap in the supermarket. Find a nearby pick-your-own farm and if you pick more than you can eat, try making watercolors with the extra berries!

Explore the Water

canoeing, be out there, nwf canoe in lake Vacationing near the ocean, a lake or a stream this summer? Not only is it a good way to stay cool, but exploring natural waterways is a surefire way to spark your child’s imagination and love of nature. Try an organized activity like fishing or canoeing – or just enjoy the simple pleasure of exploring a shoreline.

Go Climb a Tree!

climb a tree, be out there, nwf kid climbing a tree Tree climbing is a childhood rite of passage. When you feel your children are ready for it, tree climbing can teach them about assessing risk and building self-confidence while exercising their bodies. Read these simple safety tips and then let them get in touch with their inner-squirrels!

Go for a Bike Ride

bike ride, bike trails, be out there, nwf kid riding a bike Biking is a great way to explore your community with your family. Why not plan a family ride soon? Pack a picnic, do some bird watching and explore a new \"neck of the woods.” Find bike trails near you.

Discover New Play Spaces

kaboom, be out there, nwf girl and mom in woods Sometimes it\'s best to let your kids loose for their own unstructured play-time. The non-profit KaBOOM!, is creating a map of all the playspaces in America where your kids can run around to their hearts’ content. Find your neighborhood\'s park, playground or other fun spot on the KaBoom! map or add any that are missing!

Make Science Fun

citizen science, be out there, nwf boy with magnifying glass Get involved in a citizen science project that benefits wildlife and the environment. Your children\'s observation skills can help scientists learn more about the natural world.

Create a Nature Notebook

nature notebook, be out there, nwf girl in grass with notebook

Have your kids keep track of what they see when outdoors in a nature notebook. Then, share the story of the wildlife you see with the National Wildlife Federation.

For inspiration, read some of the stories others have shared, like this entry by Gaelin from June 9: \"I ws sitting ont shore of my favorite river near my home and saw a goose nest. When I got alittle too close, a gander attacked me. i was running around with a goose on my back! It stayed on me for about 2 minutes, when it finnaly got off. It was really weird!\"

Don\'t Let the Cold Beat You

catching snowflakes, be out there, nwf boy catching snowflakes on his tongue It’s hard to imagine what December feels like in June. But when it comes, don’t let cold weather keep your children indoors. Contrary to popular belief, spending time out-of-doors when the mercury drops isn’t necessarily an invitation to illness. In fact, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, there is no evidence that exposure to cold weather causes the common cold—so bundle up and get out there!

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