25 Fun, Healthy, And Free Activities For Kids

Getting your kids to get off the couch and go play can be a challenge, especially if you need to find activities that are free. However, it is important to encourage your children to get plenty of physical activity so that they grow up strong and physically fit. Here are twenty-five ideas for fun, healthy, and free activities for you and your kids to enjoy together.

1. Play Catch

Playing a game of catch with mom or dad is an activity that many children enjoy. Plus, as long as you own some sort of ball, this activity is completely free. You can play catch for just a few minutes, and your child will enjoy some fresh air while the two of you bond.

2. Go Swimming

Most communities have a free swimming pool or lake where families can enjoy some outdoor fun and get plenty of healthy exercise. Even young children can learn to safely enjoy the water. Just make sure that you and your kids wear plenty of sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun's damaging rays. Nothing ruins a nice day of swimming like a painful sunburn.

3. Pick A Bouquet Of Flowers

If wildflowers grow in your yard, take your kids, go outside, and pick a bouquet of flowers for your kitchen table. You can teach your kids about different types of flowers, and get them excited about gardening. If you instill a love of gardening in your children when they are young, they will be able to enjoy this healthy activity throughout their entire life.

4. Play In The Dirt

Kids love playing in the dirt more than just about anything else. Let your child dig in the dirt with a shovel or spoon. You can always give them a bath after they finish playing.

5. Make A Healthy Snack

Teach your child how to prepare a healthy snack like peanut butter on celery sticks. Getting kids excited about healthy food can help them say no to junk food when they get a little older.

6. Watch The Butterflies

Children of all ages like to go outside to watch butterflies. Learning to enjoy being outside can help kids be less dependent on the television for entertainment.

7. Set Up An Obstacle Course

If you have older children, set up an obstacle course with different challenges. Your kids will love the new game, and will get plenty of exercise.

8. Have A Race

Run a race with your child across your backyard. You will both get some exercise and have some fun. Plus, no special equipment is necessary.

9. Climb A Tree

With supervision, children can strengthen their muscles and have fun by climbing trees. Make sure that your child does not climb too high.

10. Catch Fireflies

Children love to run around their backyard or a park catching fireflies. Let the kids collect fireflies in a glass jar, but encourage them to let the fireflies go at the end of the night. This activity teaches them to enjoy nature respectfully.

11. Try Some Yoga

Even small children can learn to do basic yoga poses. You do not even need yoga mats in order to enjoy this activity. You can use blankets to cushion the floor as you do your stretching routine with your children.

12. Learn Bird Calls

Children can learn the calls of the most common birds in your neighborhood, just by listening carefully.

13. Put On A Neighborhood Parade

If your kids own bikes or wagons, they can decorate them with craft materials that are around the house and then march around the neighborhood. You could even get the whole neighborhood in on the fun.

14. Rake Leaves And Jump Into The Pile

Leaf raking is not a chore when you let the kids jump into your leaf pile. Fall is a beautiful season, and kids of all ages love to play in the leaves.

15. Go Outside And Sketch

With just some paper and a pencil, a child can learn to appreciate nature. Encourage your child to draw a tree or a flower outside. Make sure you place the artwork on the fridge.

16. Play Hide And Go Seek

Hide and seek is a great game, and your kids can play it inside or outside.

17. Play With A Cardboard Box

Kids can stretch their imagination by playing with a plain cardboard box. Creative play can help a child's mental development, and is better for their health than just passively watching television.

18. Go On A Walk

If your kids are complaining about being bored, take them on a walk around the neighborhood. Walking is great exercise, and your kids will probably see many exciting things on their walk.

19. Play In The Snow

Kids love playing in the snow, and even on cold days kids can benefit from outdoor activities. Encourage your children to build snowmen, and make snow angels.

20. Take A Dog On A Walk

If your kids resist going on a walk around the neighborhood, they might enjoy walking a dog. If you do not own a dog, see if you can borrow a neighbor's dog for an afternoon.

21. Play Tag

Kids of all age love tag. It is free, and they get to run around as much as they want.

22. Dance To Fun Music

If they weather outside is too bad for outdoor fun, kids love to dance inside to fun, upbeat music. This is a great way to get some exercise when the weather is bad.

23. Visit A Public Park

Playground equipment gives kids a great chance to interact with other children while promoting fitness.

24. Learn About The Constellations

Teach your kids to enjoy the night sky by teaching them the names of the constellations and the stories behind them. This completely free activity will expand their sense of wonder.

25. Play Hopscotch

If you have sidewalk chalk on hand, kids can draw a simple hopscotch board and spend a fun afternoon hopping around and enjoying themselves.