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10+ Fun Nature Outdoor Activities for Kids This Summer

The warm summer weather is the perfect excuse to get the kids outside for some fun nature outdoor activities. With longer days and sunshine-filled afternoons, there’s no better time to explore, create, and learn through nature.

Outdoor nature activities are not only engaging and fun, but they also support early learning, boost creativity, and help reduce screen time. From nature walk activities and outdoor nature crafts to forest school activities and nature scavenger hunt printables, these ideas are simple, low-prep, and designed to spark curiosity in every child.

Whether you’re planning kid summer camp activities, running a nature school, or just looking for DIY summer fun for kids, here are some of the best outdoor learning ideas to enjoy with your kids this summer.

Image of 10+ Fun Nature Outdoor Activities for Kids This Summer

Why Nature Outdoor Activities Are Perfect for Summer

  • Summer weather gives kids more freedom to run, explore, and discover without rushing indoors.
  • Outdoor nature play reduces screen dependence and encourages healthy movement and rest cycles.
  • Nature-based activities support emotional regulation, curiosity, and independent thinking.
  • This is the season for outdoor learning, from sun tracking to bug watching and everything in between.

1. Nature Scavenger Hunt

A nature scavenger hunt is one of the most exciting Nature Outdoor Activities to explore nature and the outdoors because it allows kids to interact with nature more intimately. How you design your scavenger hunt depends on where you live and what is available. 

If you are taking young kids for a nature scavenger hunt, choose simple items and place them where they are easy to find. Make every find exciting by discussing how important the ‘treasure’ is for the environment. Have hard-to-find items for older kids to make it more challenging.

Image of Toddlers Nature Scavenger Hunt

2. Water Balloon Fight

An old-school water balloon fight is one of the best ways to cool off the hot summer heat, bond with your kids, and have a great time. Establish some ground rules first as a safety precaution. For instance, tell them not to throw the balloons at each other’s faces or heads and to wear clothing that dries quickly after getting wet. Divide everyone into teams and create a challenge to determine the winner and a reward for the team that wins.  

Image Of toddler Water Balloon Fight

3. Backyard camping

Do your kids love camping but for some reason you cannot take them to a campground far from home? How about trying camping with kids in your backyard? Gear up – just as you would if going to a campground far away – and try to replicate that experience. Teach your kids how to pitch a tent and make a good campsite. Minimize trips to the house by gathering everything you need beforehand. Enjoy an evening or two sleeping in your tents, telling stories and songs around the campfire, and having fun with your kids. 

Image of Toddlers Backyard camping

4. Lawn games

Lawn games are a fantastic way to keep kids active and entertained during summer while enjoying nature outdoor activities. Think beyond the basics, introduce giant lawn games like Jenga, chess, cornhole, archery, or dice-based games like Yahtzee. These outdoor nature activities encourage teamwork, critical thinking, and lots of movement. Perfect for summer playdates, nature school days, or kid summer camp activities, lawn games blend fun with learning in a refreshing outdoor setting.

5. Hiking and picnicking in the woods

A family picnic in the woods is one of the exotic and delightful Nature Outdoor Activities for the kids. Picnicking is an out-of-the-norm adventure that creates the perfect bonding moment for the whole family. Carry meals from home and snacks that your kids love and head to the woods. Find a nice and safe place to have a great moment and find other activities to keep everyone preoccupied. A nice hike before or after the picnic would be a great way to spend the day.

Image of toddlers and Mother Hiking and picnicking in the woods

6. Birdwatching and bug hunting

If your kids love animals and nature, why not introduce them to bug-hunting and bird watching? It is a simple hobby that brings them closer to nature. It is also an educational opportunity. Have them identify the bugs they see by noting their characteristics and behavior. A bird book or mobile application can be useful to identify the species they see inside the woods. 

Image of Toddlers Hiking and picnicking in the woods

7. Create a miniature garden

Creating a miniature garden is one of the most calming and creative nature outdoor activities for kids. With just a small container, soil, pebbles, and plants, children can design their own tiny world. Add natural elements like twigs, moss, and stones to build fairy houses or animal habitats. It’s a great way to introduce outdoor learning, nature play, and basic gardening skills. Whether part of nature school or kid summer camp activities, this hands-on project sparks imagination and teaches responsibility through play.

8. Rock painting

Puddles and splashes of color! It can’t get more exciting than this! Rock painting is one of the most exciting nature outdoor activities projects kids engage in. Ensure you use non-toxic, kid-safe acrylic paints with younger kids. Choose dry, flat, and smooth rocks that can easily hold the paint. Clean these rocks and dry them well before starting the project. You may need a sealant to protect the painted rocks if you want to keep them longer. For another fun outdoor painting idea, check out our Sidewalk Chalk Paint activity, a colorful, mess-friendly project perfect for summer days.

Image of Toddlers Rock painting

9. Stargazing

Stargazing is one of the most peaceful and awe-inspiring nature outdoor activities for kids during summer nights. With clear skies, it’s the perfect time to introduce simple astronomy lessons, spot stars, trace constellations, or just enjoy the night sky. Grab a blanket, lie back in the backyard, and turn outdoor learning into a calm, magical bonding moment. This relaxing activity is a great way to end a day of fun summer adventures, making it ideal for bedtime wind-downs, nature camping, or backyard play.

10. Journaling about nature

Journaling adds a meaningful layer to your nature outdoor activities by helping kids capture memories, reflect on experiences, and build writing skills. Whether it’s after a nature walk for kids, a day of outdoor nature crafts, or a fun forest school activity, encourage them to jot down what they saw, heard, or felt. A simple notebook becomes a personal storybook filled with sketches, leaf rubbings, or pressed flowers, turning each outdoor learning moment into a treasured keepsake.

11. Creating a nature collage

Creating a nature collage is one of the simplest nature outdoor activities that sparks creativity in kids. Let children gather leaves, flowers, twigs, and more during a nature walk for kids, then glue them onto cardboard to make beautiful outdoor nature crafts. It’s perfect for summer art and craft activities or DIY summer fun for kids at home or camp. Let the kids be as creative as they want. 

12. Yoga

Yoga is one of the most calming nature outdoor activities you can do with kids. It promotes emotional well-being, mindfulness, and body awareness, all while enjoying the fresh air. Whether you’re at a park, in your backyard, or at kid summer camp, yoga sessions don’t need to be complex. Start with simple poses, add easy breathing exercises, and keep things fun and relaxed. Perfect for outdoor learning, nature play, and even fun summer daycare activities, yoga offers a peaceful way to wind down while still connecting with nature.

Image of Toddler Yoga

13. Nature photography

Nature Photography is one of the most memorable nature outdoor activities for kids during summer. Let them start a fun photo project capturing trees, bugs, flowers, clouds, and wildlife. This encourages creativity, mindfulness, and appreciation for the outdoors. Whether it’s part of your forest school activities, outdoor learning, or a simple backyard adventure, nature photography blends walking activities for kids with quiet observation and summer storytelling perfect for screen-free fun and DIY summer projects.

Image of a toddler on scavenger hunt

14. Visit the park

Summertime may be a good time to get out and join other people in the community. A random walk to the park can be engaging and educational for your kids. It will enhance their social skills as they interact with other community members while enjoying the amenities inside the park.

Image of toddler Visit the park

Planning Your Summer Nature Adventure

Don’t forget the essentials!

  • Pack water, snacks, sunscreen, bug spray, and wipes.
  • Bring reusable bags or baskets for collecting nature treasures.
  • Keep a mini first aid kit handy for scrapes and bites.
  • Most importantly, let kids take the lead and follow their curiosity.

Final Thoughts

Nature has everything your child needs for a magical summer: fresh air, wild adventures, and quiet moments. Whether you’re exploring a local trail or just your backyard, these fun nature outdoor activities for kids are perfect for making memories, learning through play, and enjoying the season without needing screens or expensive gear. Save this post, print your scavenger hunt, and enjoy the best kind of summer: the messy, muddy, magical kind.

There is no shortage of nature outdoor activities to do with kids this Summer. Kids enjoy being outdoors and they have a lot of time on their hands. Encourage them to be as creative as possible. The idea is to enjoy these moments and have fun. Pick any of the ideas outlined here and have a blast with your kids this summer!

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