Outdoor activities for boys
Finding stuff to keep your boys busy and off screens this summer is not hard! These suggestions have kept my two boys – plus many years of students – active outdoors for hours.
Use these ideas to have a “Throwback Summer” reminiscent of those days when screens barely exsisted beyond a few boring TV shows. : )
Most of these ideas for outdoor play are perfect for kids 6 to 12 – and even higher. Not just for boys, these outdoor toys will promote focus, skill building, eye hand coordination, team work and best of all – keep your kids outdoors and playing on their own for hours at a time.
These ideas are perfect for spring and summer, but honestly, I have included some for indoor play, as well. I know it can be harder to keep kids busy and off screens when they are stuck inside for a day or two.
NO AI FOUND ON THIS SITE
A note of this list: This is not an AI generated list. I have purchased and used these toys for my own boys and/or my Montessori classroom of 6 to 9 year olds. The pictures are all taken by me – you can tell by the not-so-perfect quality of them. Enjoy!!
Wham – O Track Ball
Remember this game? We found a set at a thrift store and then had to look online to find the ball. It’s fun!! and hard and takes practice. Super for crossing the midline activities, eye-hand coordination and running around after the ball. Get the kids outside with a set.
Koosh Flix Stix
Koosh Flix Stix is a super fun toss/throwing game with a Koosh Ball. Can be used indoors or out with two players. With the soft Koosh ball, no one (or no thing!) gets hurt. Kids get better at eye hand coordination with this simple game of catch.
Zoom Ball
Zoom Ball is a simple back and forth ball game and is quite a hit with kids. Can play fast or slow and it tests your reflexes and timing. The trick is to widen your arms just before the ball gets to you to Zoom it back to the other person.
Again, this can be an indoor or outdoor activity for kids that burns energy and works your arm muscles!!!
Binoculars
Exploration is the nature of kids and a set of binoculars allows children to discover so much about the world around them. These have a magnification of 8X, making them perfect for an upclose look at nature. These can accompany your kids on hikes, play dates at the park or even just trolling around the neighborhood.
Get a pair of sturdy, waterproof and shock proof, kid size binoculars here.
Parachute Toy
These parachute men are a ” Must” for any kid. I bought them for my class to use at recess and my teens are having fun with them both inside and out!!
Packed in a set of 4, these are much sturdier than the paratroopers of my childhood. So great to take anywhere! Use indoors or out…..drop them off a balconey, throw them high in the air.
Light Up LED Flying disk
The old-fashioned frisbee gets an upgrade! This light up LED flying disk is my teens new favorite! Great for dusk and nightime, this light flying dish is easy to throw and has multiple light settings.
Pindaloo
This is a new one for us — and it definitely is suited for older kids – I’d say 9 and up. It is massively great for eye-hand coordination and building frustration tolerance.
Designed by two masters degree students to get kids off technology, Pindaloo mimics a juggling action and is quite addictive. Great as a gift and also small enough to use on the go.
Beamo Frisbee
This big frisbee is super fun and really easy to throw. It seems to hover a bit more to give kids a chance to get under it, too, making catching it easier, too. We have the 20 ” version and they also make a 10″ one.
Foxtail
We have had a Foxtail of some sort or another for years. They are easy to throw by the tail or the head and fun to chase after wherever they land. This one is so awesome–it lights up as it sails thru the air!! What a perfect way to get outside when it gets dark at 4:30! I would not recommend this in the snow, but anything else goes!
Activities for kids that promote movement are great anytime of the year, and especially for those kiddos who have a lot of extra energy to burn.
Trampoline
There is nothing like a trampoline to get the energy out of any sized kiddo. Great for the heart and lymphatic system and just plain fun, a larger trampoline is a great investment. My kids jump on it year round, day or night. We were lucky enough to receive one like this from a friend when her kids had grown out of it. You can buy one here or check your local Craig’s List for a used version. (Make sure you see it set up first to make sure it’s in safe, working, order.)
A few Indoor Things, too
Purposeful work tools
What? You want my kids to do chores?
Yes! Yes! and Yes!
Kids actually love to work side by side with their parents. Start young and they’ll learn the rewards of doing purposeful work! These make it easier for kids to do their chores. They kind of make chores fun, too!!
Brooms were brought by the elves for my kids about 8 years ago and were used every single day. So great for fine motor skills and crossing the midline and learning to contribute to the family.
A crumb sweeper makes cleaning the table fun!
Our mop and bucket are still used and mopping is my oldest’s favorite chore!
Keep checking Back!
This list is fluid and I add moreoutdoor activities for boys when I come across them. So, check back every once in awhile.
I would love to hear what your kids most favorite, long lasting toy has been-boy or girl! Let me know in the comments or drop me a line at [email protected]. Happy shopping!!
