Outdoor play ideas There are plenty of simple, playful ways you and your children can have fun outdoors in the fresh air, that won’t cost a lot of money. To help you make the most of your play time, here are our 36 top ideas in six popular outdoor places to visit and enjoy. Six things to do in your garden: create an assault course have a dance-off build a bug hotel play What’s the time Mr. Wolf make potions have a teddy bear’s picnic Six things to do at the beach: build sandcastles or sculptures collect interesting shells, pebbles or sea glass play noughts and crosses in the sand make sand angels go rock pooling and look for little critters go for a paddle Six things to do out on the pavement outside your home: draw and play hopscotch with chalk paint with water using brushes draw a map and do a treasure hunt play Piggy in the middle race paper aeroplanes have a water fight Six things to do at your local green space or park: play tag look for mini beasts have a wheelbarrow race (watch out for dog poo!) play i-spy create your own Olympic Games play hide and seek Six things to do on a woodland walk: go bird-spotting hug a tree (give nature a little cwtch!) count the sounds (lay on the ground with your eyes closed and count how many different sounds you can hear) make a den collect twigs, leaves, and stones to make some nature art climb a tree Six things to do on a river walk: play Poohsticks over any bridges you come across do a scavenger hunt feed a duck (no bread, please – you can try lettuce, sweetcorn, frozen peas, oats, seeds or rice) make a boat out of sticks and leaves look for fish splash in puddles Download the Outdoor play ideas list. Get involved We want to hear about your children’s outdoor play ideas – share with us on social media using the #SummerOfPlay hashtag.