Fun Freetime: 7 Outdoor DIY Projects for Kids

Image Courtesy of Berit

Kids these days spend way too much time indoors, melting their brains with non-educational video games and cartoons. The creative parts of their minds are rarely ever explored, which is a shame since youth is the time when creativity should be developed.

If you are a parent concerned with your child’s extracurricular activities or you’re just looking for a fun project to do with your kids, you can’t go wrong with outdoors DIY crafts. Here are 7 easy, entertaining projects that are great for kids and the young-at-heart:

Homemade Bubble Solution

Who doesn’t love bubbles? On a hot afternoon, a bunch of round, joyful bubbles can brighten everyone's day. The ingredients are straightforward: all you need is ½ cup of dishwashing liquid soap, 2 cups of water and 2 teaspoons of sugar. Mix it all together in a shallow pan. Add a bit of food coloring to spice up the solution.

You can even make homemade bubble wands in whatever shapes your kids desire. You can probably find some simple wand solutions throughout your home as well, such as a slotted spoon, bamboo carpet beater, a silicone steaming basket and cookie cutters.

Colorful Water Bottle Bowling

Bowling is one of those sports that’s fun for even the less-than-athletic individual. Combine this easygoing activity with a fun craft by making your own bowling pins. All you need is six packs of water bottles and food coloring. Drop a tiny bit of food coloring in each bottle and you’ll have a bright group of bowling pins. You can use whatever balls you have around the house (tennis ball, softball, etc.) for this activity.

DIY Water Wall

Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to see the wonder of a waterfall without the long, tiring hike? Skip the sweat (and tears) by making your own waterfall. Using a wall in your backyard and a few water bottles, you can easily recreate a natural waterfall that will keep your kids occupied for hours. with the use of a wall in your backyard, a few water bottles, and a bit of patience. For full instructions on this craft, look here.

Tissue Paper Suncatchers

There are few things as beautiful as stained glass, which are often found in churches and museums. Fortunately, you don’t necessarily have to visit an elaborate cathedral to get a glimpse of the beauty of stained glass. You can create the same atmosphere simply by using tissue paper.

You’ll need several different colors of tissue paper, cardstock for the border, glue, scissors and a bit of creativity. Create whatever patterns you want in as many colors as you want. Tape them to the window and watch as the light creates art of its own.

Build Your Own Bird Feeder

There’s a reason this craft is a classic outdoor activity. If you don’t mind a craft that will bring wildlife close to home, then this is the perfect activity for any nature lover. There are many ways to make a bird feeder, from using an orange peel for holding bird seed to a water bottle.

You can be as creative as you want in the materials you use. Part of the fun is turning something that one might think of as trash into something useful!

Image courtesy of Mschlindwein

Make Your Own Kite

Windy days seem to have been created solely to fly kites. There are plenty of unique ways to make a kite, but using a plastic bag to make a kite is one of the simplest techniques. You’ll also need 2 sticks and bird string. Make the most out of a windy day by helping your kids craft a kite of their very own.

Sidewalk Chalk Paint

Let the sidewalk be your kid’s canvas for their creativity. Mix ¼ cup cornstarch with ¼ cup cold water in a small bowl until it thickens into paint-like consistency and add some food coloring. You’ll want to make multiple colors.

Use separate paint brushes per color. Your kids can paint whatever they want on the sidewalk and you’ll be able to hose it off easily. The only downside is that you may miss the art once it’s gone.

As the warmer weather approaches us, it’s always fun to take the time out of our day to explore our imaginations and encourage our children’s creativity. Try these simple DIY outdoor projects with your kids on your next weekend off.

Marcela De Vivo is a freelance writer from California whose writing covers everything from crafts and home improvement, to family health, budgeting, and exercise. She loves doing fun DIY outdoor projects with her three children. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter!