Below are ten fun outdoor activities for active kids with different options for every season. We know that coming up with new games can be challenging after a while, and we hope that this list will provide parents with great inspiration.

Fun Outdoor Activities Your Active Kids Will Adore

1.    Go To Your Local Playground

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Local park playgrounds are popular for a reason. Even with access to a backyard, kids have a great time interacting with one another around the monkey bars and swing sets. Residents of major metropolitans like New York City know how vital playground playdates are since there’s only so much an active kid can do in a Manhattan apartment. Places like Central Park and Brooklyn Bridge Park become second homes to these families. Besides, this outdoor activity is one of the few on this list that is entirely free to do.

2.    Have A Water Balloon War

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Water balloon fights are a fan favorite amongst kids of all ages. It keeps them cool and offers a free excuse to attack their siblings without any repercussions since it is just water, after all. Take things up a few notches by hosting an all-out water balloon war, inviting as many kids as possible to participate. This doubles as a great summer birthday party activity!

3.    Pick Apples At A Local Orchard

With Fall right around the corner, we wanted to mention apple picking at a local orchard. It is a lovely way to spend your day, especially if the orchard has other family-fun activities like petting zoos, sunflower picking, and more. Our favorite part of apple picking is taking home a bottle of fresh cider and warm apple cider donuts. Depending on where you reside in the U.S., you may not have access to fresh apples. But, you can still pick any other locally grown fruits in your area during the Spring or Fall.

4.    Go On A Scenic Hike

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Hiking is one of the best affordable and, sometimes, even free outdoor activities for kids. Most local and state parks do not charge entrance fees, allowing visitors to explore scenic trails at no cost.

However, certain national parks, such as Acadia National Park in Maine and Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, require you to pay admission fees or purchase a vehicle parking pass. That said, they are worth every penny for the views atop each park’s perspective peaks! You can learn more about the admission requirements on the National Park Service or Recreation.Gov mobile applications.

5.    Have A Backyard Bug Hunt

A simple way to keep your active kids entertained outside is to host a backyard bug hunt. It also provides a terrific opportunity to teach your children about insects and other creatures that live in our soil’s unique ecosystem. You can take things further by purchasing bug hunting supplies and critter-safe habitats from retailers like Amazon. Just remember to let the bugs return home after the hunt is over!

6.    Spend A Day At The Beach

The beach is the ideal place for kids and beach bums alike. Kids will have much fun under the sun building sandcastles, collecting seashells, and swimming in the ocean. Surfing is also an excellent activity for active kids, especially if the beach you visit offers lessons. Plus, as your kids play, you can relax, sunbathe, and finally get around to reading that book you’ve kept by your nightstand all month!

7.    Go White Water Rafting

White water rafting is perfect for adventurous families! Strong currents make for an exciting river journey as you take in the views around you. We love to go river rafting along the postcard-worthy Delaware River Water Gap, which is accessible via New Jersey or Pennsylvania. The famous Colorado River and Snake River in Wyoming are some other popular white water rafting destinations

8.    Hit The Ski Slopes

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Planning a winter getaway with your active kids? Why not spend the weekend on the slopes skiing or snowboarding? Those familiar with these winter sports know how thrilling and fun they are. Beginners may want to sign up for group or private lessons to perfect their skills on the slopes, which can be costly but well worth the experience.

Some of the best destinations for winter activities include Colorado, New Hampshire, Utah, and Vermont. For those too young to ski or snowboard, many ski resorts also offer snow tubing, among other activities like ice-skating and gondola rides.

9.    Or, Go Snowmobiling

Skiing and snowboarding are exciting yet expensive, particularly if you need to invest in lessons as a beginner. Snowmobiling is an excellent alternative, allowing you to still get impeccable views of snowy mountain tops while safely sitting in a vehicle. My family did this on a winter trip in Vermont and absolutely adored exploring Okemo Mountain this way. This activity is preferred for older children since specific snowmobile models only have handles on the side to keep your balance.  

10.Play Catch

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Nothing beats playing a classic game of catch with your parents in your backyard or local park. Your kids will cherish these special moments with you forever!