Simple Backyard Activities to Keep Little Kids Entertained

I have said on here how much I am looking forward to summer. Summer truly is the best when you have little kids. Then add in backyard or any outdoor play really and you’ve hit the parenting easy button. Today, I want to share a couple tried and true summer activities I do with my girls in the backyard. If I can help you have an easy summer day with your kiddos then I have done my job right. 

So, here we go: 

1. Kinetic Sand on an outdoor table

I have a love-hate relationship with Kinetic sand when playing with it inside my house (the balance of hating the mess but loving the entertainment it gives my girls). But in the summer time it is AWESOME. This past Sunday, I got our kinetic sand out and set my daughters up on the back deck and they played for over an hour. We had to stop them to get ready for dinner at my in-laws. And the best part was, after we cleaned up the supplies, I used the leaf blower to get rid of the remnants that were on our outdoor rug. Easy! 

2. Painting Rocks 

On a summer morning, we go to the park or beach and collect a couple rocks and then spend the afternoon painting rocks. After they dry, my girls find special spots in the garden for them. It’s really cute and a fun way to connect and watch their imaginations bloom. 

Painting rocks is a fun activity!

3. Slip and Slide Fun 

For my daughter’s 4th birthday, my older daughter gifted her a slip N slide with a pool. It was $30 from walmart, and already they have had hours of fun with it! My suggestion is to have a lot of bubble bath on had as my girls wanted bubbles and I used a lot of dawn dish soap. 

backyard slip and slide fun

4. Picnic lunch in the backyard 

My girls love to play in their backyard fort. I’ve given them 2 of our old patio cushions to make it cozy, and for a special treat I will make a lunch snack plate up in their fort. They will share it with their stuffies and its super cute to watch. 

Final Thoughts 

When it comes to playing at home I think it is easy to overthink activities for our kids but in reality they are super easy to please. They really just want our attention and love, and when I focus on that it becomes much simpler. My advice, find activities you are interested in too and look at it as I way to connect with your kids and bring out your creative side. 

I would love to hear your ideas on what simple summer backyard activities you love doing with your kids!