Ten Activities To Get Kids Outdoors During COVID19

There are many advantages to getting kids outside, but even more so during the coronavirus pandemic where much of their regular socialization has been cut off. Keeping them engaged with fun outdoor activities will help them stay fit and make the days go by a little faster. Here are 10 outdoor activities to keep your kids entertained during this unique time.

Scavenger hunts are both entertaining and educational. They also don’t cost any money because you can have your kids search for things that are easily found in nature, like rocks, leaves, bugs, and twigs. You can make it more competitive by offering a small prize for whoever finds the most items during the search.

With so many vacation plans being canceled, many are taking to campgrounds to get away for a while. This means it may be difficult to find a place to camp. Don’t fret. You can have a camping adventure right in your backyard! Set up a tent and get ready to tell some spooky stories once the sun goes down. Your kids are also close to home in case they get a bit scared and want to crawl into their own bed in the middle of the night.

There’s nothing quite like roasting marshmallows over a campfire. This is even more fun when combined with a backyard camp out. You can even turn the marshmallows into s’mores with graham crackers and chocolate bars. Kick it up a notch with fun variations on the classic s’more by using peanut butter cups or mint patties in place of chocolate bars, or adding some fresh strawberries or raspberries in between the chocolate bars and marshmallow.

Prepare your kids to be the next ninja warrior by creating a fun obstacle course in your backyard. With many sports and extracurricular activities being canceled due to Covid-19, it’s more important than ever to get your kids up and moving. You can use things you have around the house, like rope for a ropes course or tires for them to hop through. It’s something the adults can get in on and have some fun, too.

This activity is equally beneficial for kids and adults, because growing your own garden can save you money in the long run. It also teaches children important science lessons about how plants grow. You can then turn it into a cooking lesson by teaching them how to prepare the produce they’ve grown. If you’re a newbie to gardening, start with easy things like tomatoes, carrots, and cucumbers.

Encourage your kid’s creative side by breaking out the sidewalk chalk. You can let them draw freely, or create a more organized activity like hopscotch or a maze. Your kids can also write

 encouraging messages on the sidewalk for those passing by. It’s sure to bring a smile to the faces of those in the neighborhood!

Kindness rocks​ are a great way to spread a little cheer in the neighborhood. Kids can paint any size rock they find with kind messages or pictures. They can then hide them around the neighborhood for others to find. There are even Facebook groups where people can give hints about where they’ve hidden the rocks, creating a bit of a scavenger hunt for the kindness rocks.

Put your kids to work while also keeping them entertained by having them wash your car. This is a great opportunity for them to put on their bathing suits and get a little wet while they’re at it. They can even vacuum out the interior of the car and wipe it down if you really want to keep them occupied for a while.

Social distancing doesn’t mean you can’t help out a neighbor in need. Kids can help mow lawns, prune shrubs, plant flowers, and even wash the neighbor’s car, all while social distancing. They may even earn a few bucks while they’re at it.

Turn all of your scavenger hunt and outdoor adventures into a work of art. Combine rocks, twigs, leaves, and more items found outdoors while you’re in quarantine and paste them onto a large poster board. You can do it all at once, or make it a daily project that accumulates over time. At the end of quarantine, you’ll have a memorable piece of art that will remind you of all the fun memories you made together.

Life doesn’t have to stop during Covid-19. There are still plenty of ways to keep your kids active and create memories that will last a lifetime. Give these ideas a try the next time your kids are complaining that they’re bored.