20 Inexpensive Outdoor Family Activities

Take advantage of the beautiful weather (in most parts of the country) right now and head outdoors for some quality family time. I’ve compiled a list of my family’s favorite outdoor activities to help get you started. The best part of this list is that they are all inexpensive things to do. You might want to add some of these ideas to your summer bucket list.

1. Plan a picnic. Grab your picnic basket and head to the nearest park for an outdoor lunch. Plan ahead with a mason jar picnic for a quick and easy family outing.

2. Go to the zoo. Check with your local library, some cities offer free family passes to the zoo and other museums.

3. Have a water balloon fight. Your family will enjoy cooling off together.

4. Play in the rain. Put on those rain boots and go puddle jumping together.

5. Go Camping. Even if you set up camp in your own backyard, it will be an adventure your kids will remember. Don’t forget those campfire snacks.

6. Bird watch. Grab some binoculars and spend some family time learning about birds.

7. Take care of mother nature. Spend a day picking up litter or planting trees.

8. Host an outdoor movie night. Set up a projector screen in your backyard for a family friendly movie night under the stars.

9. Do something active. Fill up some water bottles and go on a family hike or ride bikes together.

10. Wash your car together. This can quickly turn into a fun (and wet) family memory.

11. Smell the flowers. Take some time to smell the flowers and gather some up for a bouquet.

12. Start a compost. Check out Natalie’s Composting 101 article to learn how to get started. Include your little ones!

13. Fly a kite. There are many tutorials online with instructions on how to make your own kite out of common household items.

14. Make your own popsicles. Try out Tricia’s recipe for Chiquita banana yogurt pops and then head outdoors to enjoy them.

15. Start a family rock collection. Collect a few pebbles and keep them in a vase as a reminder of your family time together.

16. Do something crafty. Roll up your sleeves and glitter something. Check out my list of 6 DIY Outdoor Activities for Kids for ideas.

17. Blow some bubbles. There are many homemade bubble recipes online if you want to make your own.

18.Go geocaching. If you have a GPS device, then you are all set for this scavenger hunt. You can learn more at the Geocaching website.

19. Plant a garden. Your kiddos will enjoy watching their garden grow and you might even be able to get them to eat more veggies.

20. Visit a national park. Some parks are completely free and many offer fee-free days. Visit the U.S. National Park Service website for more information.