It can be tricky sometimes to find activities that will entertain a two-year-old, and a ten-year-old. Here are my favorite outdoor activities for keeping kids of all ages entertained and playing together.
Bubbles
Bubbles are my go-to, for a quick easy outdoor activity that every kid will enjoy, from toddlers to tweens. While younger kids may be content with regular old bubbles, to engage the bigger kids; think big!
Giant bubble wands are easy to make, or cheap to buy. I also recommend making enormous bubbles using an old hula hoop, or a kit from amazon. The kit is worth it, as you can save bubble mix by only having to fill up the ring, instead of an entire baby pool.
As for the bubble mix, there is no need to waste money on prepared bubble mix, when you make your own. Using an old laundry detergent container, prepared bubble mix purchased from on-line, or from Target, and some Dawn dish soap, which you can buy at the dollar store; you can make loads of bubble mix at once.
For extra fun, try making your own wands out of pipe cleaners.
The first time that giant bubble floats off into the sky, you kids will be hooked.
Chalk
Chalk is cheap, and there are so many fun things to do with it!
Our top chalk activities are:
-Tracing our bodies in silly poses, and then decorating them
-Using an old kitchen grater to make chalk dust (this can be used in the sand box or in a mud kitchen)
-Drawing “roads” for our scooters
-Playing hopscotch or four-square
-Having a drawing contest with a theme such as unicorns or fish
-Creating seasonal decorations on the driveway or porch
-pounding up chalk pieces with a little wooden mallet or a rock (little kids especially love this, just watch those fingers!)
-Adding water makes the chalk thicker and gooier for more vibrant colors
Mud Kitchen
No fancy materials are needed to make an excellent mud kitchen. I started with some old mixing bowls from the kitchen and a beat-up kids picnic table, and then added measuring spoons, whisks, and various cups and utensils over time, all of which were headed to the trash.
To have a great mud kitchen, you need a designated digging spot. Try to choose a spot where the dirt is loose and not too packed down. Digging is not just fun for kids; it is good exercise.
First, dig up some nice dirt from your designated digging hole.
Next use a sieve to get any rocks or gravel out of the dirt. This step isn’t mandatory, but it is fun and satisfying, and your mud will be better for it! Sand is a great addition if you can get your hands on some. Make sure to swish the sand around in the sieve, as well, until it is nice and smooth. This is my favorite part. We use a sifter from an old beach kit and a broken colander that works great.
Lastly, add water, a little at a time, until you have some nice smooth mud.
From this point, there is so much to do with your mud!
Here are some of our favorite activities:
Filling small pots and bowls with mud and leaving them to “bake” in the sun until they are hard.
Starting a pretend kitchen, and serving up orders
Creating a potion making zone, and adding paint, glitter, food coloring, leaves, twigs, pebbles, or other found items to create fancy potions. The items you give the kids can be based on their ages. I do not recommend giving glitter to toddlers!
My oldest child loves to carefully sift and create the perfect mud, while my youngest likes to use the mud for pretend play. Give it a try!