Outdoor Play Activities Primary Resources

Explore a range of outdoor play activities

Make the most of nature near you by using these outdoor play activities with your children. No matter whether it's windy, rainy, or even snowy, there's a way for you and the kids to get outdoors, have some fun and make lots of unforgettable memories together. In this range of outdoor play activities, you can find ideas for how to have fun in all kinds of weather so there's never a dull moment at home or during playtime at school. These outdoor play activities encourage creativity and exploration — your children will love having a go at measuring wind with windmills or even using rain to do some watercolour painting. This is a great way for children to get hands-on and fully interact with their surroundings. They'll learn just how much fun you can have outdoors using only the natural resources around you and your own imagination. It's time to leave the technology behind for an afternoon and get outside into your garden or local park.

How can I use these outdoor play activities?

Parents, carers and teachers alike can use these outdoor play activities and encourage kids to have fun outside. Instead of being cooped up inside all day when the weather looks dreary, you can do activities that are themed around that weather. For example, you can explore these Windy Day Play Ideas and have fun not just in spite of the wind, but because of the wind. You can even find some Rainy Outdoor Play Ideas — who said anything about indoor wet playtime? You can make the most of the rain with these wonderful play ideas. To use these outdoor play activities, simply download the ones you like the most (it only takes a few seconds) and then print! Here's a Twinkl tip for you: keep these outdoor play ideas in a drawer, so you can get them out whenever the weather turns wet or windy. Colouring sheets might be your go-to for a rainy day, but there's plenty of fun to be had outside with the rain too. Plus, children will jump at the chance to try something new and tackle a new challenge or activity. Along the way, they'll develop lots of essential skills and nurture a life-long appreciate for nature and the outdoors.

Benefits of outdoor play activities

There are so many benefits of playing outside, and you can make the most of them by getting your children involved with these outdoor play activities. Here are just a few ways that playing outdoors can be beneficial for children (and adults too):

• Being outside can boost your mood and lift your spirits.
• Children can learn about different kinds of weather, such as how wind travels or how rain falls from the sky.
• There are more opportunities for hands-on (kinaesthetic) learning.
• Children are more exposed to natural light, which has health benefits.
• Children can develop more social skills and become more confident.
• Children build a relationship with nature and learn to appreciate it more and more as they grow.
• It gives children the chance to use their imagination and be creative. 
• It's a much-needed break from being inside with electronics. 
• Children can let off steam and relax.