34 Unique Outdoor Activities for Preteens

Get your preteens off screens and into the great outdoors with these 34 unique activities.

From creative projects to adventurous games, this guide offers fun and engaging ways to make the most of outdoor time, fostering creativity, fitness, and learning.

Creative Activities

Nature Art

• Description: Encourage your preteens to collect leaves, twigs, flowers, and other natural materials to create beautiful collages.
• Benefits: This activity fosters creativity and a deeper appreciation for nature.
• Tips:
  • Use a variety of materials to add texture and color.
  • Consider framing the finished artwork as a keepsake.

Rock Painting

• Description: Painting rocks with fun designs or positive messages can be a delightful outdoor activity.
• Benefits: Enhances fine motor skills and allows for self-expression.
• Tips:
  • Use waterproof paints to ensure the designs last.
  • Create themed rock sets, like animals, patterns, or inspirational words.

Outdoor Photography

• Description: Equip your preteens with a camera or smartphone to capture the beauty of nature, wildlife, or candid shots of friends.
• Benefits: Develops observational skills and nurtures creativity.
• Tips:
  • Encourage unique perspectives by exploring different angles and settings.
  • Create a photo journal or digital album of their favorite shots.

DIY Bird Feeders

• Description: Make bird feeders using pinecones, peanut butter, and birdseed.
• Benefits: Promotes creativity and helps local wildlife.
• Tips:
  • Research bird-friendly ingredients to ensure the feeders are safe.
  • Hang the feeders in a visible spot and observe the visiting birds.

Chalk Murals

• Description: Drawing large murals on sidewalks or driveways with chalk can be a collaborative and creative outdoor activity.
• Benefits: Allows for large-scale creativity and collaboration with friends or family.
• Tips:
  • Plan themes in advance, such as underwater scenes, space adventures, or favorite stories.
  • Take photos of the completed murals to preserve the artwork before it washes away.

Games and Challenges

Scavenger Hunt

• Description: Organize a scavenger hunt with a list of nature-themed items for preteens to find.
• Benefits: Encourages exploration, observation, and teamwork.
• Tips:
  • Include both common and rare items to make the hunt challenging and educational.
  • Offer small prizes for completing the hunt or finding special items.

Capture the Flag

• Description: A classic game where two teams compete to capture the opposing team’s flag.
• Benefits: Promotes physical activity, strategic thinking, and teamwork.
• Tips:
  • Define clear boundaries and rules to ensure safety and fairness.
  • Consider different terrains and obstacles to add excitement.

Obstacle Course

• Description: Set up an outdoor obstacle course using household items like cones, ropes, and hula hoops.
• Benefits: Enhances physical fitness and problem-solving skills.
• Tips:
  • Include a variety of challenges, such as jumping, crawling, and balancing.
  • Emphasize safety and supervise closely, especially if the course includes complex elements.

Nature Bingo

• Description: Create bingo cards with natural items or phenomena like birds, trees, and flowers.
• Benefits: Encourages observation and learning about the natural environment.
• Tips:
  • Customize the cards for different seasons to keep the game fresh and interesting.
  • Play in teams to foster collaboration and discussion.

Geocaching

• Description: Participate in a real-world treasure hunt using GPS to find hidden caches.
• Benefits: Combines technology with outdoor exploration and adventure.
• Tips:
  • Use a reliable geocaching app and ensure everyone understands how to use it.
  • Respect geocaching etiquette by not disturbing the caches and leaving them as found.

Active Adventures

Hiking

• Description: Explore local trails and parks with your preteens, encouraging them to observe the environment.
• Benefits: Promotes physical health, endurance, and a connection with nature.
• Tips:
  • Choose trails appropriate for your preteens’ skill level and interests.
  • Bring along a field guide to identify plants and animals encountered along the way.

Biking

• Description: Go for a bike ride on a designated trail, through the neighborhood, or at a local park.
• Benefits: Enhances cardiovascular health and provides a sense of adventure and independence.
• Tips:
  • Ensure helmets and safety gear are worn at all times.
  • Plan routes that are safe and enjoyable, avoiding heavy traffic areas.

Swimming

• Description: Enjoy swimming in a pool, lake, or ocean.
• Benefits: Improves physical fitness, coordination, and can be a refreshing way to spend time outdoors.
• Tips:
  • Supervise swimming activities closely and ensure proper safety measures are in place.
  • Explore different water-based games and activities, like relay races or synchronized swimming.

Kayaking or Canoeing

• Description: Paddle in a local river, lake, or bay, learning the basics of kayaking or canoeing.
• Benefits: Builds upper body strength and offers a unique perspective on nature.
• Tips:
  • Take lessons if needed to ensure proper technique and safety.
  • Always wear life jackets and paddle in safe, calm waters.

Tree Climbing

• Description: Climb trees in a safe and supervised environment, discovering the fun of reaching new heights.
• Benefits: Enhances strength, coordination, and confidence.
• Tips:
  • Choose sturdy trees with thick branches and ensure adult supervision.
  • Use safety gear like harnesses if climbing higher than a few feet.

By engaging in these creative activities, games, and active adventures, preteens can experience the joys of the outdoors, develop new skills, and create lasting memories.

Learning and Exploration

Stargazing

• Description: Spend an evening under the stars, observing constellations, planets, and meteor showers.
• Benefits: Encourages curiosity about astronomy and provides a sense of wonder.
• Tips:
  • Use a stargazing app to help identify celestial objects.
  • Find a dark area away from city lights for the best viewing experience.

Nature Journaling

• Description: Document observations and thoughts about nature in a journal, including sketches and descriptions.
• Benefits: Enhances writing skills, mindfulness, and a deeper connection with nature.
• Tips:
  • Encourage detailed descriptions and creative illustrations.
  • Use prompts to inspire journal entries, such as “Describe the sounds you hear” or “Sketch the leaves you find.”

Wildlife Watching

• Description: Observe birds, insects, and other wildlife in their natural habitats.
• Benefits: Develops patience, observational skills, and an appreciation for biodiversity.
• Tips:
  • Use binoculars and a field guide to identify different species.
  • Be respectful of wildlife, keeping a safe distance and avoiding disturbances.

Plant Identification

• Description: Learn to identify local plants and trees using guidebooks or apps.
• Benefits: Increases knowledge of botany and ecology, fostering a greater appreciation for the environment.
• Tips:
  • Start with common plants and gradually learn to identify more complex species.
  • Keep a record of identified plants and their characteristics.

Environmental Clean-Up

• Description: Organize a clean-up event for preteens at a local park, beach, or nature reserve.
• Benefits: Teaches responsibility, teamwork, and care for the environment.
• Tips:
  • Use gloves and trash bags to collect litter safely.
  • Separate recyclables and properly dispose of waste.

Social Activities

Picnic with Friends

• Description: Plan a picnic in a park or backyard, bringing along friends or family for a fun outdoor meal.
• Benefits: Encourages social interaction and enjoying the outdoors together.
• Tips:
  • Pack a variety of healthy snacks and drinks.
  • Bring along games like frisbee, soccer, or cards to play after eating.

Outdoor Movie Night

• Description: Set up a projector and screen to watch a movie outside under the stars.
• Benefits: Combines technology with the excitement of the outdoors.
• Tips:
  • Use blankets and pillows for comfortable seating.
  • Choose a movie that everyone will enjoy and ensure good weather for the evening.

Camping

• Description: Spend a night camping in the backyard or at a local campsite, complete with tents and campfires.
• Benefits: Builds independence, survival skills, and a love for the outdoors.
• Tips:
  • Plan activities like storytelling, star gazing, or roasting marshmallows.
  • Ensure all necessary camping gear is available and set up safely.

Gardening

• Description: Start a garden with flowers, herbs, or vegetables, involving preteens in the planting and care process.
• Benefits: Teaches responsibility, patience, and the basics of horticulture.
• Tips:
  • Choose easy-to-grow plants that thrive in your climate.
  • Maintain a regular watering and care schedule.

Outdoor Sports

• Description: Engage in sports like soccer, basketball, or frisbee in a park or open area.
• Benefits: Promotes physical health, teamwork, and coordination.
• Tips:
  • Organize teams and ensure fair play rules are followed.
  • Mix different sports and activities to keep it fun and exciting.

Relaxation and Reflection

Reading Outside

• Description: Find a comfortable spot in a park or backyard to read a favorite book.
• Benefits: Combines relaxation with the joy of reading and the beauty of the outdoors.
• Tips:
  • Choose a shaded area with comfortable seating.
  • Bring along a variety of books to enjoy.

Meditation or Yoga

• Description: Practice meditation or yoga outdoors, enjoying the peacefulness of nature.
• Benefits: Enhances mental well-being, mindfulness, and a connection with nature.
• Tips:
  • Use a mat and find a quiet, flat area.
  • Follow guided meditations or yoga sessions if needed.

Cloud Watching

• Description: Lie down and watch the clouds, identifying different shapes and patterns.
• Benefits: Encourages relaxation, creativity, and a sense of calm.
• Tips:
  • Bring a blanket for comfort.
  • Make it a game by seeing who can spot the most interesting shapes.

Listening to Nature Sounds

• Description: Sit quietly and focus on the sounds of nature, such as birds singing, leaves rustling, and water flowing.
• Benefits: Promotes mindfulness, relaxation, and a deeper connection with the natural world.
• Tips:
  • Find a quiet spot away from human-made noises.
  • Close your eyes to enhance the listening experience.

Outdoor Napping

• Description: Take a nap in a hammock or on a blanket under the shade of a tree.
• Benefits: Provides rest, rejuvenation, and a peaceful experience.
• Tips:
  • Choose a shaded area to avoid direct sunlight.
  • Use a comfortable pillow and blanket for added comfort.

By engaging in these learning and exploration activities, social events, and relaxation exercises, preteens can deepen their appreciation for the outdoors, develop new skills, and create lasting memories with friends and family.

DIY Projects

Build a Treehouse or Fort

• Description: Construct a treehouse or fort using natural materials and simple tools.
• Benefits: Encourages creativity, teamwork, and basic construction skills.
• Tips:
  • Ensure adult supervision and safety measures are in place.
  • Use sturdy materials and double-check the stability of the structure.

DIY Weather Station

• Description: Create a simple weather station to observe and record weather changes, including a rain gauge, thermometer, and wind vane.
• Benefits: Teaches basic meteorology, observation skills, and an appreciation for science.
• Tips:
  • Use easy-to-find materials like plastic bottles and cardboard.
  • Keep a weather journal to record daily observations and track patterns.

Insect Hotel

• Description: Build a shelter for beneficial insects using natural materials like wood, straw, and bamboo.
• Benefits: Promotes understanding of ecosystems, biodiversity, and helps support local wildlife.
• Tips:
  • Research the best designs for attracting different types of insects.
  • Place the insect hotel in a quiet, sheltered area of the garden.

Solar Oven Cooking

• Description: Create a solar oven using a pizza box, aluminum foil, and plastic wrap to cook simple meals or snacks.
• Benefits: Teaches principles of solar energy, cooking skills, and sustainability.
• Tips:
  • Choose sunny days for the best results.
  • Start with easy recipes like s’mores or mini pizzas to get comfortable with the process.

Homemade Birdhouses

• Description: Build and decorate birdhouses using wood, paint, and basic tools.
• Benefits: Encourages craftsmanship, creativity, and provides a home for local birds.
• Tips:
  • Ensure the birdhouse design is suitable for the types of birds in your area.
  • Place the birdhouses in safe, predator-free locations.

Wind Chimes

• Description: Create wind chimes using materials like shells, beads, metal rods, and string.
• Benefits: Combines art and science, producing a musical outdoor decoration.
• Tips:
  • Experiment with different materials to create unique sounds.
  • Hang the wind chimes in an area where they can catch the breeze.

Nature Weaving

• Description: Weave natural materials like grass, leaves, and flowers onto a homemade loom.
• Benefits: Enhances fine motor skills, creativity, and a connection with nature.
• Tips:
  • Use a simple loom made from sticks and string.
  • Incorporate a variety of textures and colors for a vibrant weaving.

Miniature Fairy Garden

• Description: Design a miniature fairy garden using small plants, rocks, and tiny decorations.
• Benefits: Encourages imagination, creativity, and gardening skills.
• Tips:
  • Use a shallow container or section of the garden.
  • Add miniature furniture, pathways, and fairy figurines for extra charm.

DIY Water Wall

• Description: Construct a water wall using recycled materials like plastic bottles and tubes.
• Benefits: Teaches basic principles of physics, water flow, and recycling.
• Tips:
  • Attach the materials to a fence or board in a safe outdoor area.
  • Experiment with different arrangements to create interesting water flow patterns.

Herb Spiral Garden

• Description: Build a spiral garden using stones and soil to grow a variety of herbs.
• Benefits: Promotes understanding of permaculture, gardening skills, and the benefits of fresh herbs.
• Tips:
  • Choose herbs that grow well in your climate.
  • Ensure the spiral is well-constructed for stability and drainage.

By engaging in these DIY projects, preteens can develop practical skills, express their creativity, and gain a deeper understanding of the natural world. These hands-on activities not only provide fun and educational experiences but also result in tangible creations that they can be proud of.