10 Ways to Turn Off The Screen And Get Outside

Disclaimer: I received items in exchange for this project. All opinions are my own.

I hope I am not the only one that feels this way, but sometimes it is near impossible to get the kids to turn off the electronics and get outside in the summer. Sometimes I have to find something that seems exciting to them to get them outside without war.

Here are some of the things we have been doing this year:

1. Finding Bugs: With a bug jar and magnifying glass from Oriental Trading, there is nothing like exploring the bugs in your yard for an evening of fun!

2. Nature Journal: A spiral journal, pen, colored pencils, and tape make for an amazing nature journal.

3. Blowing bubbles: Get jugs of bubbles, paper cups, and a variety of bubble wands for hours of fun.

4. Painting Nature: It is easy to paint a nature scene with a piece of posterboard and giant watercolors.

5. Birdwatching: Grab some fun binoculars and check out the bird life in the neighborhood.

6. Sky Watching: Lay on your back and watch the clouds or stars, imagining photos, picture life elsewhere, or dreaming. Add in some construction paper and crayons for a great activity for day or night. Add to the fun and do it in the pool. Flamingo drink floats make for additional fun here!

7. Night Time Scavenger Hunts: Grab a flashlight, glow wands, and a scavenger hunt paper for a fun night time scavenger hunt. Putting the flashlight on a lanyard helps little ones not lose it!

8. Nature Crafts: Make a birdhouse, birdfeeder, birds nest supply home, fairy garden, and more. Oriental Trading has everything you need to make your backyard a wonderland.

9. Campfires: The kids and I love sitting by the campfire, making smores, and telling stories. I enjoy doing crafts at the same time. the kids have joined me making crafts this year by the fire. They added glow in the dark beads to their headphones for a pop of fun!

10. Feeding Wildlife: Keep a stash of seeds, bread, and more and send the kids out for feeding time in the backyard. You can also put out apples, strawberries, berries, carrots, lettuce, and more. We feed the cats, bunnies, birds, foxes, deer, and anything else that may wander into our yard and it is something fun for the kids to do.


Oriental Trading makes summer fun easier with other products as well. Did you know that Oriental Trading offers pre-packaged snacks for grab and go goodness? My kids love the easter pretzels and the peas and carrots gummies- I'm wure yours will as well.