Our Favorite Outdoor Activities for Littles (That Don’t Require a Full Farm)

As a farm-loving family, we spend a lot of time outdoors—but you don’t need acres of land to make outdoor play magical. Whether you’re in the suburbs, the city, or have just a backyard patch, these ideas will help your littles burn energy, explore, and have fun without the need for a full petting zoo.

Here are our favorite go-to activities:

1. Spray Bottle Fence Art – Fill spray bottles with water + a drop of food coloring and let them paint the fence.

2. Chalk Obstacle Courses – We draw silly instructions: hop like a frog, spin, stomp, etc.

3. Nature Scavenger Hunts – Print a simple checklist and go find bugs, rocks, flowers, etc.

4. Water Table Free Play – Nothing fancy. Buckets, scoops, spoons, done.

5. Feed + Observe Time – Even if it’s just chickens, the dog, or bugs under a rock.

   

   

   
   
   

I usually bring my shaker bottle with me—because being outside with kids is energizing and exhausting. My go-to wellness mix keeps me feeling present (and hydrated) while they run wild.

These outdoor activities aren’t about doing it “right.” They’re about being together—and letting nature do some of the entertaining for you.