5 Outdoor Activities for Dads and their Kids

There are a ton of reasons why you should drop that laundry, stop sweating the chores, and get off the computer, to go outside with your kids. But two seem evident; you and your children need exercise. If you spend too much time inside you will look pale and creepy.

The other reason is that while you’re doing chores the kids are either sitting in front of a television or messing up the room you just finished cleaning. So let’s go outside. Everyone could use some fresh air and time to play. Below are five games and activities to do with you kids.

Hide and Seek

This old fashioned game requires no materials other than you and your children. It’s simple. You and your children will take turns closing your eyes while the others (you included) find a nearby spot to hide and wait to be found.

This is as easy as going out into your backyard or to a nearby park or playground. It’s important to allow your child ample time to find you and others, but keep in mind that if it takes too long, depending on the age of your child, that he/she could start to get scared about being alone.

This game allows a child freedom to explore their environment and gives them a feeling of satisfaction at having found you and others who might be playing. It’s interactive and challenging enough to stimulate the child’s mind, encouraging problem solving strategies.

Scavenger Hunting

Take some toys or other familiar items to your child and go to an open area outside. A backyard is best as some items could become lost. Place the items in the yard while your child isn’t watching. Then allow them to collect each item by hunting for them around your yard.

Like hide and seek this game allows for your child to develop problem solving and searching strategies. As they find items you’ve place around the yard they also get a strong sense of success and encouragement. This game allows for you to teach your child along their way.

Find some animals.

Nature is all around, in our parks and playgrounds, even our backyards. It’s never hard to find animals ranging from small squirrels and birds, to ducks, turtles and fish at a place not far from your home.

Introduce your child to the animal kingdom that’s all around them all the time. It could be as simple as taking some bread to the local park and feeding the ducks. You could also try hanging a bird feeder in the back yard.

Here is a short list of animals that can be commonly found around your home.

• Squirrels • Birds • Ducks • Chipmunks • Humming Birds • Butterflies • And other insects (ants, snails, etc.)

Can you find them all?

If you live in a city perhaps some animals are going to be harder to find than others, but perhaps a trip to a local zoo, or petting zoo could give them a greater understanding of the animal world.

Name-It Ball Game

Only requiring a small to medium size ball this game allows for dexterity and object handling skills as well as memory retention and name recognition skills.

Simply sit or stand across from your child and bounce/toss/roll them the ball, and say a name of something they recognize. This works best with people they are familiar with like family and friends. Have them return the ball to you and say a similar name (perhaps another family member). When playing with my daughter, it works best with family members names.

This can continue repeatedly until you’ve run out of names for people, places, or things. This challenging game helps with memory skills by getting them to quickly remember names of what they know well. It also helps them develop new words quickly. This game brings forth a sense of sharing and cooperation for your child as well.

Sidewalk Hop

A simple game we’ve all played at one time or another. With a simple piece of sidewalk chalk, draw several connecting squares on the sidewalk or driveway. Number them sequentially, and take turns hopping from square to square.

Make it more challenging by having your children count as they go, or by skipping predetermined squares before they start. Then have them turn around and go back the way they came. This game encourages counting as well as coordination and physical activity.

There are tons of different games you can play with your kids outside. The point is to get outdoors, breathe some fresh air and make the time you spend with them quality time.