Getting my kids outside in the summer is pretty easy. They love to play, swim, ride their bikes, and more, but when school starts, it is harder to get them outside to play. We have had to make some plans for our kids to keep them busy after school. Having a list of outdoor after-school activities really helps my kids stay busy instead of plopping down on the couch and watching TV or playing on electronic devices. A few things that really help are making sure they have good shoes, giving them supplies (like balls, books, bikes, etc) and setting up time limits for things (20 minutes for homework, 20 minutes for reading, 30 minutes for TV, etc) and this will help them spread their time out evenly. We love going to the park. My kids have a great time not only playing on the playground but getting out and running, playing catch and even making new friends. It is a great time for me to relax and read or play with my kids. We have a lot of fun and make some great memories. It is a great way for us to unplug and spend time together. When we are making out list, I like to involve my kids so that it is filled with things that they love to do, and things they want to try – the list can be changed and updated if something we put on the list doesn’t turn out to be a good option.
Here is our list of 10 outdoor after-school activities for kids:
- Go to a playground and let your inner kid out
- Play catch, hoops, or any other kind of sport
- Go on a hike
- Go fishing
- Have a reading picnic (everyone bring a good book, and you layout a picnic to eat while reading for 30 minutes or so)
- Get creative (do a fun craft or DIY project) that allows them to be outside
- Bake cookies and walk around the neighborhood giving them to friends
- Go on a bike ride
- Have a fun campfire and enjoy some roasted hot dogs and S’mores
- Chalk art (give them each some colored chalk to do some great chalk drawings)
This is just to get you started. There are so many fun a crazy things from outdoor science labs to Gardening that you can do. Kids love to learn and explore. I would love to hear what your kids like to do outside.
One thing that has made a difference in how my kids have enjoyed their after-school activities are the shoes that they have. We went to Famous Footwear this year to get them some new school shoes and I really loved the selection they had. My girls each found a nice pair of Saucony shoes that will keep them powered at school at after. If you or your kids are need some back to school inspiration, you have to check out the Famous Footwear #ohsofamous style gallery for styles, information, variety. I love it!
These are ideas mostly for warmer month. If you have snow you can go sledding, make a fort and have a snowball fight, and many other fun things. The important thing is just getting out and enjoying each other and letting your kids learn from what is around them. Wither you are exploring the great outdoors or just hanging out and spending time together, it is nice to be outside playing.
What outdoor after-school activities do you enjoy with your kids?
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
katrina g
those are great ideas. being outdoors is so much better than always being indoors watching tv
Jennifer
Keeping kids active is very important. It’s always so hot where we live so we can stay outside through out the year. Chalk is one of my kids favorites too.
Chrysa
These are some great ideas. We like to shoot baskets since we got a basketball hoop last year.