6 Screen-Free Activities to Try With Your Children This Summer

Each activity is designed to get your children off their devices and outdoors, allowing you to enjoy the sunshine and make the most out of the summer. See what activities you can try today! 

• 1. Create an Obstacle Course

An obstacle course is the perfect way to get your children outdoors and having fun. You can make an obstacle course with anything you have to hand too, so you don’t need to spend anything on this activity. Utilise items like pool noodles, buckets, cones, chalk lines, and lawn chairs to create jumping zones, balance challenges, crawling tunnels, and sprint sections. 

You can tailor the obstacle course to suit your child's interests, or base it off your favourite obstacle challenge to ensure they are engaged. Themed days like secret agent academy or ninja warrior are good options too, and make it even easier for you to personalise the experience. Not only are obstacle courses fun, but they can help to build balance, confidence, and coordination! 

2. Create an Adventure Playground

Adventure playgrounds save you going to the park and will easily pull your child away from their screen. A swingset is an excellent way to turn your garden into an adventure playground, especially if you choose one with additional play elements, like climbing ropes and slides. Swingsets provide plenty of fun for children and allow them to use their imagination as they play on pirate ships, mountains, and through jungles, without the need for any screen. 

Adding a swingset can seem like an expensive option, but it can be an excellent long term investment, lasting for years and providing plenty of play opportunities. When choosing a swingset, we recommend checking out Vuly, who have several options to suit any garden and budget. A Vuly swingset is the perfect fun thing to do with your children this summer! 

• 3. Enjoy Backyard Camping

If you are looking for an activity that can span all night, why not give backyard camping a go? You will need a tent for this, but you don’t need to spend a fortune on one. Backyard camping can be as fun as you make it, with a BBQ, smores, and playing games or singing songs around the campfire. Pick a dry and clear night to increase your chances of a successful campout and ensure your children have some of their favourite toys to keep them settled and engaged. 

You can extend this, too, with an outdoor breakfast the next day or a nearby hike to give your children a true sense of life outdoors. 

 

4. Create an Outdoor Art Studio

For any creative children, we recommend turning your garden into an art studio. Again, you don’t need to spend much on supplies for this and can use some chalk to create designs for hours. You can make a rock-painting table, set up a washable paint station, and let your children go crazy without worrying about the mess! This can be more enjoyable than painting indoors and allows your children to spend some time in the fresh air. 

You can also create nature-inspired art using leaf rubbings, stick sculptures, or flower prints, which will add an educational twist and can teach your children how to forage and enjoy nature up close. 

• 5. Host a Picnic Party

Picnic parties are the perfect outdoor activity for any child. You can make their favourite sandwiches, snacks, and lay out a blanket to enjoy lunch in the sunshine. Elevate this with a BBQ if you want a hot meal too, and add some music for atmosphere. You can even get your children involved in servicing the food or creating a menu, making the activity more engaging and providing them with a lasting memory of summer with their family. 

• 6. Host a Backyard Sports Hour

If you don’t think your children will stay outside for long, try a sports hour where you quickly rotate through different sports challenges like climbing, frisbee, relay races, long jump, and soccer shootouts. The quick turnaround will help keep your children engaged while getting some exercise in, too! 

You can also incorporate any equipment you already have, adding new challenges to keep your children engaged. We recommend making it a competition too, especially if you have multiple children, as this can make the hour even more enjoyable! 

Enjoy a Screen-Free Summer This Year 

Any of these screen-free activities is sure to get your children outside and help you enjoy a magical, memorable summer with them. Many of them are free or very affordable to create so that you can have a screen-free summer no matter your budget! 

Article by: Olivia Bennett

Olivia Bennett is a lifestyle and business writer with a creative edge. She enjoys crafting engaging content that connects with modern audiences. Her work focuses on clarity, value, and long-term brand impact.