Contrary to popular belief, you do not need to spend a lot of money, travel, or buy expensive things to have fun. Truly happy and enjoyable moments can also take place in the comfort of your own house. Not only are activities at home far less expensive, but they are also much more stress-free than making travel plans.
Moreover, spending time outside also enhances your mental health. A study conducted in 2019 showed that kids who spent the least amount of time in nature were 55% more likely to develop anxiety, stress, and mood disorders as they grew older.
This should be reason enough to use your garden or backyard and do fun activities with your children or friends. Please take a look at our list of the most awesome things to do outside in your backyard, which will bring your family or friends together and ensure smiles and laughter.
1. Have a Bonfire
If you have a big backyard and a fire pit, why not host a fun and cozy bonfire night? Whether with friends or family, this is never a bad idea. Toast some marshmallows, make smores, put some music on, share horror stories, and watch the stars. There’s no better way to spend a night with your loved ones than having a bonfire, especially if it is during the winter season. Snuggle up in blankets around the fire and share a good time!
If you’ve been considering buying a fire pit to have the ultimate bonfire in your backyard, take a look at our best gas fire pits that you can buy.
2. Treasure Hunting Adventure
If you have children, the best way you can spend time with them outdoors is through having a treasure hunt. Like an Easter egg hunt, you can hide some possessions around the backyard and give the kids a list of clues. Each clue will lead them to one possession and another clue. This activity will also keep them entertained for a long while and allow you to spend time with them outdoors.
3. Create a Backyard Obstacle Course
Like a treasure hunting adventure, you could also create a makeshift obstacle course in the backyard for the kids. Use random things from the house such as cushions, blankets, chairs, and what not to create a fun but safe obstacle course for the kids, allowing them to have some physical activity under the sun.
4. Stargazing
An absolutely free and stress-free but fun activity is watching the stars on a chilly night. Lay out some blankets on the ground and take out your telescope if you have one. Whether with kids or your partner, there’s something truly magical about stargazing that always makes you feel at ease.
5. Plant a Food Garden
An interesting activity to pass the time on your own or teach children about plants and photosynthesis is planting a food garden together. Not only will it be educational, but it will also yield fresh produce right in your backyard. You can buy seeds from your local stores and plant them. However, do note that to grow your garden, you will need to water it regularly.
6. Have a Movie Night
Why not have a movie night under the stars? Whether you have a garden or a patio, you can have a chill movie night with your family, friends, or loved ones. Watching a movie under the stars with a snack is always an enjoyable experience. Click here for a list of ways you can transform your backyard into an outdoor cinema.
7. Build a Birdhouse
Make a DIY birdhouse outside for any birds in your area. Not only is it easy to make one, but it also requires minimal tools. Plus, your kids will have a great time decorating the birdhouse. In the end, you can also admire your fruits of labor as you watch birds go in and out of their house. Here is an easy guide to making a birdhouse with minimal tools.
8. Go Camping
You don’t need to go out to the forest or mountains to go camping; you can pitch a tent in your backyard with the kids. This will be just as enjoyable as you share horror stories, toast marshmallows, and play board games under the stars.
9. Have a Water Fight
For a warm summer day, have a fun adventure with water guns, a swimming pool, and a slip and slide. Water fights are the one thing you can do outdoors. They are fun, require minimal cleanup, and once you are done, you can go inside and change your clothes. Whether with kids or friends, you can have a whole day of fun and water-filled adventures outdoors in your backyard.
10. Make a Time Capsule
One of the most fun things to do outside if you have children is to create a time capsule. Time capsules are a great activity to reflect on memories and see how far you have come. Ask your children to fill it with some items and perhaps a letter to their future self. Bury the time capsule in your backyard and revisit it in a couple of years.
11. Host a Picnic
Consider hosting a picnic in your backyard for your partner, friends, or with your children. You can prepare snacks and meals and set up a picnic in your backyard with a blanket laid out on the ground and sparsely decorative items from your house. This will be a change from your mundane routine and help you enjoy some time outdoors.
12. Have a BBQ Party
This one is a no-brainer. If you have a backyard, the best and easiest thing to do outside is to have a BBQ party with your family and friends. Whether it is on a hot summer day or a chilly evening, there is something about an outdoor BBQ that creates a great ambiance. It is truly the perfect past time for the outdoors.
Click here for some tips on how to decorate your backyard for the perfect BBQ party
Final Words
So, these were all the fun things to do outside that will allow you to have a fabulous time with your friends and family. With a bit of effort, you can have a full day of enjoyment and leisure with your loved ones outdoors!
