Blog

How to Get Kids Outside: 8 Proven Tips for Encouraging Outdoor Play

Children spend less time outdoors than ever before. Research shows that kids today get only half the outdoor time their parents did as children. This shift toward indoor activities and screen-based entertainment has parents wondering how to recapture the magic of outdoor exploration for their families.

Getting children outside doesn't require elaborate planning or expensive equipment. Simple changes to your daily routine and mindset can transform your backyard into an adventure zone. The benefits extend far beyond physical exercise—outdoor play boosts creativity, builds confidence, and strengthens family bonds.

Whether you're dealing with reluctant teenagers or energetic toddlers, these practical strategies will help you create outdoor experiences that kids actually want to participate in.

Start Small and Build Momentum

Many parents make the mistake of planning grand outdoor adventures that feel overwhelming to both children and adults. Instead, begin with 15-20 minute activities right outside your door.

Set up a simple obstacle course using household items like hula hoops, jump ropes, and buckets. Challenge kids to complete it in different ways—backwards, hopping on one foot, or carrying a ball. This approach removes barriers while building positive associations with outdoor time.

Create "micro-adventures" in your immediate surroundings. Hide small treasures around your yard for a quick scavenger hunt, or set up sidewalk chalk activities that can be completed before dinner. These bite-sized experiences help children develop outdoor habits without the pressure of long commitments.

Make Nature Accessible and Inviting

Transform your outdoor space into an environment that naturally draws children outside. This doesn't require a complete backyard makeover—small changes can make a significant impact.

Install hooks near your back door for easy access to bikes, balls, and outdoor toys. When equipment is visible and readily available, children are more likely to grab it spontaneously. Consider creating designated spaces for different activities: a quiet reading corner under a tree, an art station with washable supplies, or a small garden bed where kids can plant and tend their own flowers or vegetables.

Water features provide endless entertainment. A simple sprinkler, water table, or even a bucket with cups and funnels can occupy children for hours during warm weather. These activities combine sensory play with outdoor exposure, making the experience naturally appealing.

Turn Chores into Adventures

Household maintenance tasks become exciting when framed as outdoor missions. Ask children to help with age-appropriate yard work, but present it as exploration rather than obligation.

Young children can search for specific leaves, count different types of insects, or help water plants while learning about growth cycles. Older kids might enjoy more complex projects like building raised garden beds, creating bird-watching stations, or designing playground layouts.

This approach teaches responsibility while ensuring regular outdoor exposure. Children develop pride in contributing to their outdoor spaces, making them more invested in spending time there.

Embrace Unstructured Play

While organized activities have their place, unstructured outdoor time allows children to develop creativity and problem-solving skills. Resist the urge to constantly direct their play or worry about messes.

Provide open-ended materials like cardboard boxes, rope, fabric scraps, or natural materials like sticks and stones. Children often create the most engaging games when given freedom to experiment and explore without adult intervention.

Set boundaries for safety, then step back. Children need opportunities to assess risks, make decisions, and learn from natural consequences in safe environments. This type of play builds confidence and resilience that structured activities cannot replicate.

Use Technology as a Bridge, Not a Replacement

Rather than fighting against technology, use it strategically to enhance outdoor experiences. Nature apps that identify plants, birds, or insects can turn a simple walk into an educational adventure. GPS-based games like geocaching combine screen time with physical activity and exploration.

Photography challenges encourage children to look more closely at their surroundings. Ask them to document different textures, colors, or interesting shadows they find outdoors. These digital scavenger hunts help children notice details they might otherwise overlook.

Set specific times when technology supports outdoor play, then establish clear boundaries for when devices should be put away to fully engage with nature.

Create Social Opportunities

Children are more motivated to spend time outdoors when friends are involved. Organize regular backyard gatherings, neighborhood games, or informal sports activities that bring kids together in outdoor settings.

Start a neighborhood walking group for families, organize bike rides to local parks, or create rotating playdates where children explore different outdoor spaces. Social connections make outdoor time feel less like a mandate and more like a natural part of childhood.

Consider joining community groups focused on outdoor activities—hiking clubs, gardening societies, or sports leagues that align with your family's interests and schedule.

Address Common Obstacles

Weather concerns often become excuses to stay indoors, but most conditions offer unique play opportunities. Light rain creates perfect puddle-jumping conditions, snow enables snow cave building, and mild winter days are ideal for nature walks without bugs or extreme heat.

Invest in appropriate clothing for different seasons and weather conditions. When children are comfortable, they're more willing to spend extended time outside regardless of conditions.

Safety worries can be addressed through gradual exposure and clear communication. Teach children about potential hazards in age-appropriate ways, establish clear boundaries, and supervise according to each child's maturity level and capabilities.

Make It a Family Priority

The most effective strategy for encouraging outdoor play is demonstrating that it's a family value. Children model adult behavior, so parents who prioritize outdoor time raise children who do the same.

Schedule outdoor activities just as you would indoor commitments. Put family hiking time, backyard games, or neighborhood walks on your calendar to ensure they actually happen. Treat these commitments as seriously as you would doctor appointments or school events.

Share your own enthusiasm for outdoor activities. When children see parents enjoying nature, they're more likely to develop similar interests. Express genuine excitement about outdoor discoveries, weather changes, or seasonal activities to model positive attitudes toward outdoor experiences.

Building Lifelong Outdoor Habits

Encouraging outdoor play requires patience, creativity, and consistency, but the investment pays lifelong dividends. Children who develop strong connections to outdoor spaces carry these interests into adulthood, becoming adults who prioritize nature, physical activity, and environmental stewardship.

Start with one or two strategies that feel manageable for your family situation. Focus on creating positive outdoor experiences rather than meeting specific time requirements or activity goals. As outdoor time becomes a natural part of your routine, you can expand activities and explore new environments.

Remember that every child responds differently to outdoor encouragement. Some children need gentle coaxing, while others require firm boundaries around screen time. Pay attention to what motivates your individual children and adjust your approach accordingly.

The goal isn't to eliminate indoor activities or technology entirely, but to create a healthy balance where outdoor play becomes an anticipated and valued part of childhood. With consistent effort and creative approaches, you can help your children develop the skills, confidence, and love of nature that will serve them throughout their lives.

Ready to start your search? Use our dealer locator to find a Backyard Adventures showroom near you. Let our experts help you design the playset of your family’s dreams and get ready for a backyard full of adventure.