As spring arrives, it’s time to start thinking more about outdoor playtime — like parents haven’t been dreaming of it already all winter long! Usually, kids don’t have to be told twice to go outside and play with their friends, but with more and more reasons to be on screens, it’s getting harder to get back to the good ol’ days of playing until the streetlights come on.

Spending some mindful time in nature is good for everyone, kids and caretakers alike. Finding reasons to get outdoors in the springtime is easy, as long as you’re making sure you’re practicing good sun safety and making healthy decisions.

Pack up your red-checkered blanket and kids’ version of charcuterie — you’re going on a picnic! Eating en plein air is a fantastic way to spend quality time with your kiddos — just don’t forget the sunscreen! Pick one with a SPF of at least 30 (but the higher, the better).

Having your kids help make the meals for the picnic is also great practice for them. Pack a healthy lunch or dinner, and have them help make dessert. Cupcakes and cookies are fun options!

There are usually free water park options within a large-enough town or city. Sometimes, you can pull double-duty and see if your local zoo has one. Let the kiddos see the animals and cool off! Again, make sure to pack the sunscreen — even cloudy days can’t hide the sun’s harmful rays.

Be sure to also pack water shoes or sandals that can get wet — hot pavements aren’t just dangerous for dogs but also for humans (especially the littlest ones!).

Got a mini entrepreneur at home? Teach them the value of hard work by letting them set up a lemonade stand in front of your house — as long as it’s safe! Make sure to keep reapplying that sunscreen (are you sensing a theme?). Have them make the lemonade themselves; the amount of sugar is up to them. See if they have any other ideas for their lemonade stand — should they include homemade baked goods as well? Maybe add water as an item for sale for especially hot days? You’ll be surprised at how creative kids can get when they take ownership over an activity.

Yoga, on its own, is great exercise for all ages, but getting outdoors to do it is truly special. There’s something so wonderful about doing yoga outside and really connecting with your body and nature — and kids love it, too! Make sure to do it early in the morning before the day gets hot and the bugs wake up. Wear sunscreen and insect repellant. While you do yoga, you can even add in fun facts about our planet so your kids can learn and stretch — for example, did you know that the Earth spins at 1,000 mph? And we don’t even feel it!

It’s been proven by organizations, like WHO and the CDC, that the more time kids spend outdoors, the more likely they will engage with physical activity. Being outdoors strengthens immature immune systems, which is great news for all parents who dread cold and flu season in the fall and winter. Getting outside also improves your health in general — and so does spending time with your awesome kiddos!

Sources

Yogi Beans, Celebrate Earth Day with Kids Yoga & Nature Play. – The Fresh Air Fund, Celebrating Earth Day: Discover 6 Ways Spending Time in Nature Benefits Children’s Health. – DaVinci Laboratories, Health-Focused Summer Activities for Kids. – CDC, Outdoor Play and Safety for Children in ECE. – The Pennsylvania Key, Summertime Play – Staying Safe and Cool | Health Trend in Early Childhood – June 2025.