I would be lying if I told you I wasn’t a little anxious about our quickly approaching adventure in our 5th wheel. The thought of this huge trip is pretty awesome and I can’t wait to see some exciting sites across the United States, but then I start to think about our day to day activities. Primarily keeping the kids entertained and trying not to kill each other. We won’t be able to hang out in the RV like we hang out at home. It will get really small really fast. We will have to play outside. A lot. Which is why I am starting to think of kid’s outdoor activities that we can do! 

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There is definitely nothing wrong with playing outside. I think it is great! My kids love being outdoors and both Robbie and I love being outside too. We plan to follow the good weather, so hoping for no extreme temperatures – just nice outdoor weather.

By moving into such a small space, I am eliminating some household chores from my to-do list, so I should have more time to spend playing with the kids. Which hopefully means less time spent watching TV.

I have been starting to search for things the kids can do outside for fun. Things that don’t take a ton of prep work- because I won’t have my huge store of craft items with us.

The whole goal of this trip is simplicity.

Here are some of my favorite simple kid’s outdoor activities that I found.

11 DIY Kid’s Outdoor Activities

1. Color Scavenger Hunt

This one may just be my favorite on this list. I am a huge fan of simple, and that is just what this Color Scavenger Hunt is from Rachel at I Heart Crafty Things. 

Check out the full how-to tutorial HERE. 

2. DIY Bubbbles

Wherever we end up, there will surely be bubbles! My kids love bubbles. Check out this DIY recipe from La La’s Home Daycare. We will definitely be making this recipe soon to check it out.

3. Toilet Paper Roll Bird Feeder

I thought this toilet paper roll bird feeder from Kim at The Resourceful Mama was genius! We can do some of these easily and watch the birds from our little porch area. Check out the full How-To HERE.

4. Wind Chimes

These kid-made wind chimes are fantastic! Here are a couple fun ones that I found:

Wind chime made from colander from The Tao of Dana. 

I really love this simple stick wind chime from Jackie at the Happy Hooligans.  I love this because it is so simple and yet so fun! Check out the full tutorial HERE. This is at the top list for favorites on this list of kids’ outdoor activities. 

This bamboo wind chime is similar to the stick one above, but Michele at Michele Made Me did a great job painting these with such detail. I thought it looked awesome. Check out the full How-To tutorial HERE.

5. Painted Rocks

These painted rocks have really gained popularity in our area this year. There is a community facebook group dedicated to kids painting these rocks, putting them out in our city, and then finding other kids’ rocks. It’s a pretty fun thing for everyone to do, and all three of my kids LOVE rocks, so this painting rocks idea is fabulous. Check out these adorable ladybug rocks by Amanda at Crafts by Amanda.

Check out the full tutorial HERE. 

 150+ Screen-Free Activities for Kids: The Very Best and Easiest Playtime Activities

6. Nature Bingo

This next one is similar to the color scavenger hunt, only this time the kids are looking for specific objects for bingo. If your kids are pretty little like mine, they may not understand bingo, but they will understand looking for what is in the picture. Download Sara’s free Bingo printable HERE. (From Bitzngiggles).

7. Make Your Own Paint Brushes

This idea is so cool! It is definitely at the top of the kid’s outdoor activities list. These paint brushes are made with different leaves attached to sticks. What a great idea from Damjana at Apple Green Cottage. The different types of leaves give them completely different textures and ways that they paint. My kids are going to love making these from leaves that they find while we are camping. Get the full How-T0 HERE.

8. Fish Flop Painting

Paint with your feet! This looks like a fun idea from Deirdre at  Jdaniel4smom. And you could use any kind of shape or animal to do it. Check out the full tutorial HERE.

9. Water Balloon Pinata’s

These are great for a hot summer day! You can fill them and hang them anywhere that can get a little wet. Check these out, along with a full Water Obstacle Course from Jodi at Meaningful Mama.

10. Flashlight Tag

This is something I grew up playing! Any time I would get together with my cousins, we always played flashlight tag. Such great memories. My kids may be too little for it this summer, but soon enough.  Check out more fun games in the dark over at Premeditated Mama.

 

11. Count the stars

Grab an inflatable or plastic pool and lie down and count the stars. What a fun night time activity for the summer. Check this out and a ton of other great family activities at Family Days Tried and Tested.

Looking for some more ideas? Check out 150+ Screen-Free Activities for Kids for some fantastic frugal fun for your kids! 

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We want to hear from YOU!

What simple kid’s outdoor activities would you add to this list? What are some of your favorites? Comment below!