15 Best Outdoor Tech Activities for Kids That Spark Creativity and Movement

outdoor tech activities for kids: These days, children spend much time in front of screens. But that is not the problem. The issue lies in the fact that screen time is reducing motion, interest and actual experiences. There are ways by which technology cooperates with outdoor play instead of opposing it.

The problem which bothers many parents and teachers is how to find a balance between screen time, physical activity and outdoor games. When children play with the technology outdoors, they become more active. They become aware of what is around them. They ask better questions. They also get to know the relation of technology with the real world, not only games and videos.

Technology and nature bring each other to the best of their hand:

• Physical movement as an outdoor thing.
• Digital literacy via practical technological application.
• Curiosity and creativity through real world environment.

This guide outdoor tech activities for kids will contain outdoor technical projects to do with children, that are quite practical and in this case, kid friendly, such as GPS treasure hunting, outdoor coding, and solar experimentation and stop-motion animation in the lawn.

The article presents simple outdoor technological activities to children that can be easily attempted at home, school or camp. You will have easy to follow instructions, learning objectives and easy rules to be observed in safety. No fancy tools required.

Key Takeaways

• Children can be taught STEM skills during their outdoor play.
• Outdoor technology exercise develops innovation, physical activity and problem solving.
• You are not required to purchase costly equipment. Phones and common items are utilized in many projects.

Why Outdoor Tech Activities Matter

Kids Move More

Outdoor tech activities involve walking, building, challenging or exploring. Children run without feeling that they are exercising.

STEM Feels Real

It seems to be more visible when the results are tangible and experienced with the help of coding, data and science. A worksheet will never give you that feeling which is instilled by practical experience of mapping a path or measuring sunlight.

Creativity and Teamwork Develop.

Pairs or small groups of people are the best for these kinds of projects. Children discuss ideas, brainstorm and correct errors together.

Outdoor Activities and Best Tech Games with Kids

DIY GPS Treasure Hunt

Age range

• 7 and 7+ years

What you need

• Smartphone or GPS device
• Paper clues
• Small prizes

How it works

• Pick safe outdoor locations.
• Write hints which leads from one place to the next.
• Children navigate to every place with the help of GPS or map applications.

Learning outcome

• Direction, reading of maps, spatial ability.

Safety tips

• Set clear boundaries. Stay in one area.

Virtual Nature Scavenger Hunt (Augmented Reality)

Age range

• 6+ years

What you need

• Tablet or phone
• AR nature app

How it works

• Open the app outdoors.
• Children aim the device at the trees, grass or rocks.
• The app depicts digital insects or animals in the screen.

Learning outcome

• Visibility, fundamental biology, technological sense.

Safety tips

• Ask children not to walk when they are looking at the screen.

3. Outdoor Coding With Scratch or Blockly

Age range

• 8 and up

What you need

• Laptop or tablet
• Offline coding app

How it works

• Sit outside on a blanket or table.
• Children develop a little animation or game.
• Outdoor themes should be used such as weather or animals.

Learning outcome

• Rationality, chronology, problem solving.

Safety tips

• Use shade. Take screen breaks.

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DIY Solar Oven

Age range

• 8 and up

What you need

• Pizza box
• Foil
• Plastic wrap
• Phone timer

How it works

• Line the box with foil.
• Coat the opening wearing plastic wrap.
• Insert food and monitor time of heating.

Learning outcome

• Energy, heat, cause and effect

Safety tips

• Adult help required. Surfaces can get hot.

Geocaching Adventure

Age range

• 7 and up

What you need

• Smartphone
• Geocaching app

How it works

• Find nearby geocaches.
• Follow the map to locate them.
• Log the find in the app.

Learning outcome

• Geography, navigation, digital responsibility

Safety tips

• Only family friendly places should be picked.

Stop Motion Animation in Nature

Age range

• 7 and up

What you need

• Phone or tablet
• Stop motion app
• Small toys

How it works

• Set toys in grass or on rocks.
• Take photos one small move at a time.
• Play the frames as a video.

Learning outcome

• Story-telling, strategizing, patience.

Safety tips

• Install equipment on sturdy grounds.

Outdoor Weather Tracker

Age range

• 9 and up

What you need

• Weather app or sensors
• Notebook

How it works

• Note down temperature, wind and clouds on a daily basis.
• Compare changes over time.

Learning outcome

• Statistics, trends, scientific thinking.

Safety tips

• Secure tools against wind.

Nature Photography Challenge

Age range

• 6 and up

What you need

• Phone or camera

How it works

• Select such a theme as shapes or colors.
• Children capture images which are theme appropriate.

Learning outcome

• Imagination, attention, visual intelligence.

Safety tips

• Respect plants and animals.

Build a Sundial

Age range

• 7 and up

What you need

• Stick
• Small stones
• Compass app

How it works

• Insert the stick erect up on the ground.
• Time series marking of shadows.

Learning outcome

• Time, movement on earth, observation.

Safety tips

• Avoid sharp tools.

Robot Obstacle Course

Age range

• 9 and up

What you need

• Simple robot kit
• Outdoor space

How it works

• A small course should be built with cones or sticks.
• Give commands to the robot to be driven through it.

Learning outcome

• Engineering, coding logic

Safety tips

• Use flat ground only.

Sound Mapping Walk

Age range

• 8 and up

What you need

• Phone with voice recorder

How it works

• Record sounds during a walk.
• Mark the point where each of the sounds was heard.

Learning outcome

• Listening aspect, environmental awareness.

Safety tips

• Stay close together.

Digital Plant Journal

Age range

• 7 and up

What you need

• Tablet or phone
• Notes app

How it works

• Take photographs of the same plants after every one week.
• Make brief notes concerning changes.

Learning outcome

• Biology, tracking change

Safety tips

• Do not touch unknown plants.

Stargazing With Sky Apps

Age range

• 8 and up

What you need

• Stargazing app

How it works

• Open the app at night.
• Aiming it at the sky, one can see stars.

Learning outcome

• Astronomy, curiosity

Safety tips

• Adult supervision required.

Motion Sensor Art

Age range

• 10 and up

What you need

• Motion sensors
• Lights or buzzers

How it works

• Set up sensors outdoors.
• Create art that reacts to movement.

Learning outcome

• IT, design thinking.

Safety tips

• Prevent devices from moisture

Eco Engineering Challenge

Age range

• 9 and up

What you need

• Recycled materials
• Tablet for research

How it works

• Take a problem in the real world such as shade or water usage.
• Design and build a solution.

Learning outcome

• Engineering, sustainability

Safety tips

• Use child safe tools only.

Conclusion

The technology needs not to drag children inside houses. If employed correctly, it drives them away from being bed ridden all day. These games demonstrate to kids that technology is a means of discovering the world and not avoiding it. Try one idea or try them all. Start small. Let kids lead.

Before You Go

Send this list to parents and teachers that require new ideas.

Take the checklist of Outdoor tech Activities Checklist and design your outdoor project.

FAQs