With warm weather fast approaching, families are looking forward to being outside. You are probably anxiously awaiting those lovely days a bit more this year than the previous one.
If you are looking for outdoor family activities, look no further. We have compiled a list of fun, exciting, and (most importantly) FREE activities the whole family can do together.
For a list of outdoor games that do require some materials and preparation, check out this list
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At Twin Cities Kids Club, we want to help you create the best childhood for your kiddos. As a member, you get exclusive access to local discounts and events throughout the Twin Cities. Join today!
Go for a Hike
Are your kids fighting with each other? Has there been a bit more screen time than you want to admit? Sometimes, the best thing you can do with your kids is getting them outside.
Many places around the Twin Cities are great for small or big hikes. A few local favorites are Mill Ruins Park, Gold Medal Park, Lyndale Park Rose Garden, and Boom Island Park. This list is just the tip of the iceberg. See how many parks you can get to this summer!
You can also check out one of the amazing National Parks in Minnesota with your kids.
Geocaching
You have probably heard of this phenomenon in recent years. Pack up the kids (don’t forget drinks and snacks), download the geocaching app, and take off! You might be surprised how much fun you and your kids have working together and finding the goals.
You can also make your own geocache as a family and hide it.
Do a Playground Crawl
Most families have their go-to when it comes to playgrounds. Likely, it’s close to your home and has something all of your kids like.
However, make a list of all of the playgrounds near you and try to get to them all. If you have an open day, see how many you can play in one day.
It might not be quite as fun for the parents as a pub crawl, but we bet your kids love it.
Build Something
We don’t mean to go out and buy a bunch of stuff. We suggest you challenge your kids to build something in the backyard from items you come up with, or they find in the house. A few ideas are:
- Marble run
- Hot wheels/play car tracks
- Fort
- Pretend circus or zoo
- A stage for play or show
- Giant tic tac toe board, or other game board
Water Activities
On a beautiful, warm day, the number of activities you can play with water outside is seemingly endless. In reality, all you have to do is give kids a hose and let them go wild. However, you expand the fun and bring out different size containers for young kids to fill and spill.
If you have a trampoline, why not put a sprinkler on the trampoline? We promise, your kids will spend hours jumping through, over, into, and around the spraying water.
If you don’t have a trampoline, put the hose in your yard and let the kids go. Bonus, you can water your grass at the same time. Set a timer and move the hose to get all of the lawn.
To change things up some, bring out some sponges or water guns. To make the day even better, get out there with them, and get wet. Your kids will love it and take particular pleasure in making sure you are thoroughly soaked.
Bubbles
We put bubbles here because we assume most families with younger kiddos keep bubbles on hand. You can do so much more with bubbles then blow through a wand.
Let your children create their own wands with pipe cleaners and explore how many different shapes of bubbles they can make.
Let kids blow bubbles through several straws strapped together.
You can also make a giant wand by tying string in a triangle shape using two wands or sticks. Simply soak the string in a bubble solution and gently pull through the air for enormous bubbles.
In reality, you don’t need much for your kids to play with bubbles. You can make your own bubble solution with dish soap, water, and sugar.
Backyard Camping
What better way to make memories with your kids than camping in the backyard? Don’t worry if you don’t have an arsenal of camping gear.
Choose a clear night that isn’t too hot or cold and bring out pillows and blankets and sleep together as a family under the stars. Bonus points if you have a trampoline, you can sleep on it.
If you want to go all out and camp in a tent, go for it. But we promise your kids will have fun with or without the big set up.
Have a Picnic
Who says a picnic has to be at a park or away from home? Any meal of the day can be a picnic outside. Throw a blanket out on the grass or porch and bring breakfast, lunch, or dinner outside.
Ice Cream!
Of course, one of the best ways to enjoy a warm summer day is a cold treat outside. A bowl of ice cream or a popsicle just tastes better outside.
You don’t even have to have any on hand! Check out this list of popsicle recipes you can make at home. Get your kids to help make them as another fun activity together.
Star Gazing
Speaking of the stars, wait for a clear night and star gaze with your kids. A little bit of research beforehand will yield a wealth of knowledge on possible meteor showers as well as what constellations or planets you will be seeing.
See how many things your kids can find in the night sky. Plus, they’ll enjoy getting to stay up a bit past their bedtime.
Join Twin Cities Kids Club Today
Fun outside, enjoying the warm weather has never been easier. You don’t need a single thing other than your family and the right attitude.
Join the club today for access to local discounts throughout the Twin Cities.