12 Best Healthy Outdoor Activities For Kids This Summer 2021

Have you been hearing your kids say, “I’m bored” more often this summer? You’re not alone. Due to the limitations brought about by the pandemic, everyone’s bound to get bored, including kids. Past summers were spent playing outdoors with friends, exploring, riding bikes or swimming. But aside from the pandemic, kids today have also become heavily dependent on gadgets for entertainment.

Take advantage of the nice weather and show your children how wonderful it is to enjoy the outdoors. Give the video games, tablets and video streaming a rest and try enjoying these summer activities for kids. Shop for the right gear and other fun things, check out our top picks from Best Buy and Amazon to make summer activities for kids at home or on vacation more safe and fun.

Best Outdoor Activities for Kids

1. Swimming

Swimming remains a fun summer activity for kids. Unsplash (CC0)

Summer’s already here, so why not give your kids a nice place to cool down? If you don’t live near a lake or you’re far from the beach, get them this Mini Frame Kiddie Swimming Pool from Intex. Affordable and easy to set up, this inflatable pool will give your kids something to do other than play video games and you can even give them swimming lessons.

2. Get a Waterslide

Water slides are also a great activity that can be enjoyed by the whole family. Unsplash (CC0

If you have a large front yard, then the WOW Watersports Giant Backyard Waterslide will bring you and your family lots of fun. Measuring 25 x 6 feet and twice as thick as most slides in the market, this water slide is perfect for hot summer afternoons. It’s also a good summer activity for kids at home and comes with a couple of mega sleds to cushion the fall, ensuring everyone’s safety.

3. Jump Around in a Bounce House

Bounce Houses provide a safe place for little children to jump around and get moving. Unsplash (CC0)

An inflatable bounce house is a great way to keep your kids active while still making sure they’re safe at home. If you’re on a budget, then the Banzai Slide N’ Score Inflatable Bounce House is just under $200 and provides lots of space for jumping and playing.

4. Skating

Skating teaches your kids important developmental skills, such as balance and control. Unsplash (CC0)

Another fun activity to try with your kids this summer is skating. Whether it’s with a skateboard or roller skates, both activities can be easily learned and are a healthy way to stay active. If you’re interested in trying skateboarding, this beginner WhiteFang skateboard has everything your kids need to get started. For rollerskating, check out these high-quality yet budget-friendly Roller Derby Firestar skates. Make sure they don’t forget to wear safety gear!

5. Go on a Quick Jog

Jogging is quick, free and easy. Unsplash (CC0)

Jogging is one of the simplest yet healthiest outdoor activities that you can do. To make sure your kids are comfortable while jogging, get them a pair of Under Armour Grade School sneakers, which provide the right amount of cushion to keep their feet safe from blisters and other injuries.

6. Go Hiking/Trekking

Hiking is a fun outdoor activity that will also help your kid get some exercise. Unsplash (CC0)

Once your kids are used to walking/jogging around, it’s time to introduce them to hiking/trekking. This is perfect if there are trails near your home, as it’s a healthy and fun activity you can do without spending too much or being in an overly crowded place. Make sure they have the right gear, get them a pair of Merrell Trail Chaser Sneakers, which are specially made for activities like this. A bucket sun hat is also useful in activities like these.

7. Spend a Weekend Camping

Take a break from everyday life by spending the weekend camping with your kid. Unsplash (CC0)

Want to get away for the weekend? Then how about going camping? Not only will you be able to have tons of fun with healthy activities you can do in the great outdoors, it’s also a good way to bond with your children. It wouldn’t be camping without a tent, so make sure you’re ready with one, such as the Wakeman Two-Person tent from Best Buy.

8. Get a Trampoline

Trampolines are a fun way to give your kids exercise. Unsplash (CC0)

Kids are naturally active and full of energy, so why not get them a trampoline that they can enjoy? Perfect for preschoolers and even older kids, the Little Tikes MEGA Trampoline is built for hours of fun and exercise. For safety, it includes a padded frame and netting on all sides and comes at a really affordable price.

9. Go for a Bike Ride

You can’t go wrong spending the afternoon biking with your child. Unsplash (CC0)

An afternoon bike ride is definitely a fun summer activity you can do with your kids. You can ride along with them and discover cool spots. You can also have a nice picnic at your newly-discovered spot. If your kids don’t have bikes yet, then the RoyalBaby Kids Bike and JOYSTAR Kids’ Cruiser Bike from Amazon are great options for beginner to intermediate young riders. Both are affordably priced and offer cool features and quality parts to ensure their safety. Both bikes also come with removable training wheels. 

10. Try Geocaching

Geocaching is an often overlooked activity that is sure to please your kids’ thirst for exploring and discovering things. Unsplash (CC0)

Geocaching is a great outdoor activity that will get your kids moving. It’s the world’s largest treasure hunt and is perfect for curious kids that love to explore and discover things. To get you and your little ones started on this activity, you can get the affordable Garmin – eTrex 22x 2.2 GPS from Best Buy, which comes with routable roads and trails, a sunlight-readable color display and kid-friendly controls.

11. Exercise!

Jump rope is also a great family activity that is easy to learn and challenging to master. Unsplash (CC0)

The best thing about exercising is that it doesn’t take much to start and you can do just about any physical activity with your kids and it’ll still count as exercise. Even playing jump rope is considered good exercise. Have fun and learn new techniques that you can teach to your kids.

12. Fly a Kite

Teaching your kids how to fly a kite will also help them learn other skills, in addition to exercise. Unsplash (CC0)

Summer means warm breezes and great weather, so why not teach your kids how to fly a kite? Kiting is a great outdoor activity that will teach your kids patience and control while giving them a good sweat and a healthy dose of vitamin D. While there are plenty of kites you can buy online, this Listenman 2-Pack Kite from Amazon comes with two unique-looking kites so you can enjoy flying kites together. They’re also affordable and easy to clean.