Planning a birthday party for your kids?
Why not take the celebration outdoors!
Fresh air, sunshine, and plenty of space can make for an unforgettable birthday bash.
Outdoor parties are perfect for letting kids run wild and burn off energy while having tons of fun.
To help you plan the ultimate outdoor extravaganza, we’ve gathered 25 fantastic outdoor birthday party activities that are sure to be a hit with kids of all ages.
Get ready for some outdoor birthday magic!
1. Bubble Wrap Hopscotch
What it is: A fun twist on classic hopscotch using bubble wrap for extra sensory fun!
How to do it: Cut bubble wrap into squares and number them like a hopscotch board. Lay them out on the ground and let the kids hop from square to square, enjoying the popping bubbles with each step!
2. Silly Sack Race
What it is: A race with a silly twist where kids hop in decorated sacks to the finish line.
How to do it: Decorate burlap sacks with fabric markers or paint. Have the kids get inside the sacks and hop to the finish line. First one across wins!
3. Crepe Paper Tag
What it is: A chase game with crepe paper tails for a fun, no-contact tagging experience.
How to do it: Attach a crepe paper “tail” to each child’s back. Kids chase each other, trying to grab tails without tagging by hand. The player with a tail left at the end wins!
4. Giant Bubbles
What it is: Creating massive, mesmerizing bubbles that kids will love to chase and pop.
How to do it: Make a giant bubble wand and solution (recipes are easily found online). Let the kids take turns creating and chasing enormous, floating bubbles.
5. Duck Duck Goose
What it is: A classic circle game of anticipation and quick chase, perfect for younger children.
How to do it: Have kids sit in a circle. One person walks around, tapping heads saying “duck” until they choose someone to be the “goose,” then a chase around the circle begins!
6. Water Balloon Toss
What it is: A classic summer game of catch with water balloons, testing teamwork and gentle handling.
How to do it: Pair kids up and have them toss a water balloon back and forth. Each successful catch, they step further apart, increasing the challenge until the last pair with an unbroken balloon wins.
7. Obstacle Course
What it is: A challenging and fun course using everyday items to climb, crawl, and navigate.
How to do it: Use household items like brooms, buckets, pillows, or even playground equipment to create a fun obstacle course in your backyard. Kids can race through it for time or just for fun.
8. Relay Races
What it is: Team-based races involving various activities to encourage cooperation and friendly competition.
How to do it: Divide kids into teams and organize races like running, hopping, or carrying objects. Variety keeps it exciting for everyone!
9. Squirt Gun Painting
What it is: A creative art activity using squirt guns filled with paint to create colorful masterpieces.
How to do it: Fill squirt guns with watered-down paint and let kids create art on large paper sheets or an old fence. It’s a fun, messy, and unique way to paint!
10. Rock Painting
What it is: A simple and relaxing creative activity where kids decorate rocks with paint and designs.
How to do it: Provide smooth rocks and a variety of paints. Let kids’ imaginations run wild decorating rocks with colorful patterns, characters, or anything they desire.
11. Sandcastle Building Contest
What it is: A classic beach activity, challenging creativity and construction skills in the sand.
How to do it: At the beach, have a sandcastle building contest. Provide buckets, shovels, and molds. Award prizes for the most creative, tallest, or most detailed sandcastle.
12. Keep it Up
What it is: A cooperative game where kids work together to keep a balloon or beach ball in the air.
How to do it: Have kids stand in a circle and try to keep a beach ball or balloon in the air using only their hands or heads. The goal is to see how long they can keep it from touching the ground.
13. Paper Plate Frisbee Golf
What it is: A DIY frisbee golf course using paper plates as frisbees and backyard features as targets.
How to do it: Make frisbees out of paper plates. Set up a course in your backyard using trees, buckets, or other items as “holes.” Kids throw their paper plate frisbees to each target, counting throws like golf.
14. Sponge Bullseye Game
What it is: A fun target practice game using wet sponges and a bullseye target.
How to do it: Draw a bullseye on a fence or large sheet. Kids throw wet sponges at the bullseye, aiming for the center for points. It’s cooling fun on a warm day!
15. Kites
What it is: The classic joy of flying kites, watching them soar high in the sky.
How to do it: Make simple kites or purchase them. Head to an open field and let kids enjoy the thrill of flying their kites and watching them dance in the wind.
16. Bob for Apples
What it is: A classic fall game, perfect for cooler weather parties, involving grabbing apples from water with your teeth.
How to do it: Fill a large tub with water and apples. Kids try to grab an apple with their teeth, no hands allowed! It’s slippery, silly fun.
17. Scavenger Hunt
What it is: An adventurous search for hidden items based on clues, themed to the birthday or season.
How to do it: Hide spring or themed items around the yard or park. Create clues for the kids to follow to find the hidden treasures.
18. Flower Planting Party
What it is: A creative and nature-loving activity where kids plant their own flowers to take home.
How to do it: Provide pots, soil, and seeds or small flower plants. Let kids get their hands dirty planting their own flowers to nurture and watch grow.
19. Water Games (Sprinklers/Kiddie Pools)
What it is: Simple and refreshing water play to cool down on a hot day.
How to do it: Set up sprinklers, kiddie pools, or a slip n’ slide in the backyard. Let the kids run, splash, and have a blast cooling off in the water.
20. Lawn Games (Cornhole/Giant Jenga)
What it is: Classic oversized lawn games perfect for all ages to play and enjoy together.
How to do it: Set up lawn games like cornhole, bocce ball, or giant Jenga. These games are easy to learn and fun for mixed-age groups.
21. Pumpkin Patch Party (Pumpkin Painting)
What it is: A fall-themed party activity involving decorating pumpkins, celebrating the autumn season.
How to do it: Decorate your backyard with pumpkins. Have kids paint pumpkins with various colors and designs. It’s a festive and creative fall activity.
22. Campfire and S’mores Night
What it is: A cozy evening activity with a bonfire, roasting marshmallows, and telling stories.
How to do it: Build a bonfire safely in your backyard (where permitted). Provide marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate for s’mores. Gather around the fire for warmth, treats, and storytelling.
23. Snowman Building Contest
What it is: A winter activity, turning snow into creative snowmen with a friendly competition.
How to do it: In snowy weather, have a snowman building contest. Award prizes for the most creative, tallest, or funniest snowman.
24. Sledding
What it is: A thrilling winter activity, sliding down snowy hills for exhilarating fun.
How to do it: Find a safe sledding hill nearby. Ensure it’s free of obstacles and safe for kids to sled down and have wintery fun.
25. Backyard Campout
What it is: An adventurous overnight party in tents set up right in your own backyard.
How to do it: Set up tents, sleeping bags, and lanterns in your backyard. Kids can experience the fun of camping without leaving home, telling stories and sleeping under the stars.
Conclusion
With these 25 outdoor birthday party activities, you’re well on your way to planning an unforgettable celebration for your child.
Remember to tailor the activities to the age group, the season, and the space you have available.
The most important ingredient for a successful outdoor birthday party is fun!
So get outside, get active, and make some wonderful birthday memories!
