Creative Ways to Spend Just 15 Minutes Outdoors With Kids

We know that outdoor recreation is essential for a growing person. But maybe you’re an indoor cat, like me, and struggle to get yourself and your kids outside for at least a few minutes each day. Here are some tips to make being outdoors quick and easy during one of the most exciting months of the year.

For years I have relied onFifteen Minutes Outside: 365 Ways to Get Out of the House and Connect with Your Kids by Rebecca Cohen. Her offerings are seasonal, suitable for all ages, and usually do not require special equipment or skills. The following ideas are inspired by her book and other activities I have done with my children when the weather was nice and we had a few minutes to get some fresh air.

11 Ways to Get the Kids Out in May

• Play Hold Appi . Bluey and Bingo’s favorite game runs outdoors and can be played by 1 to 100 participants. Use a beach ball or balloon, and tennis or ping pong rackets if you have them.
• Driving down a country road with the windows down. You may feel like you spend more than enough time in your car, wading through queues to board and practicing football. But what if you were just wandering around? See what you can discover within 15 minutes from your home. And 15 minutes is the perfect amount of time to listen to our favorite family podcast about wonderful places: Atlas Obscura .
• Plants’ seeds. I suggest doing it haphazardly and with low expectations. May is the perfect time to toss wild flower bombs or random zinnia packets. Set aside an area in your yard or a large pot for gardening experiments, sow and see what happens. “Checking the Flowers” will be an easy excuse to go out again and again this summer.
• Play in the rain You may have this romantic notion of dancing and singing in the rain, but in real life, you always try to keep kids dry and clean by shuffling them between activities. When it rains lightly this month, blow their brains out by letting them get out in the middle of it. Prepare a stack of towels at the back door, and then immediately go to a warm bath.
• Take a popsicle break. Yes, that’s all. Popsicle + outside = extraordinary upbringing.
• Take your homework outside. Less fun than a popsicle, but if they have homework to do, a change of scenery can make it less of a chore.
• Create a home portrait. Take your easel or sketchbook outside and have everyone draw/paint/collage a portrait of your home. Make it an annual tradition and you’ll have a golden gallery wall.
• Flip the stones. It literally infuriates me, but some kids will love it. Rocks, logs, pots, garden chairs, anything that has been sitting on damp ground all winter and spring is likely to contain worms or insects.
• Take a look at the moon. Full moon this week, May 5th. Take a few minutes to feel his awe. Have the children put down their favorite trinkets or rocks to “charge” them with the power of the full moon.
• Make potions. If your kids are really into things like magic and the power of the moon, have them make potions out of empty water bottles, food coloring, and any plants and rocks they can find. They can then water the flowers with their magical growing potions.
• Create a mandala. Have the children collect branches, leaves, flowers, weeds, sand, etc. and arrange them symmetrically on the sidewalk. Add chalk for flair.