Indoor and Outdoor Activities for National Play Day
We believe that play is an essential part of childhood and an opportunity for children to learn, explore, and have a great time.
As part of National Play Day, we have gathered a collection of exciting indoor and outdoor activities that are low-cost, no-cost, or completely free for you and your children to try out. These activities are designed to be accessible to all abilities and suitable for children of all ages.
So get ready for hours of entertainment, laughter, and skill-building fun!
Indoor Play Ideas
Indoor Treasure Hunt
What you’ll need: Small toys or objects to hide, paper, a pen, and a sense of adventure!
How to play: Write a series of clues or riddles that lead your child from one hiding spot to the next. Hide small toys or objects at each location. Let your child use their problem-solving skills to decipher the clues and find the hidden treasures.
Ages suitable for: All ages (adapt the difficulty level of the clues according to the child’s age).
Skills developed: Problem-solving, critical thinking, attention to detail.
Family Talent Show
What you’ll need: Music, props, costumes, and a lot of enthusiasm!
How to play: Organise a family talent show where everyone gets to showcase their unique talents. Encourage singing, dancing, magic tricks, comedy routines, or any other special skills. Turn your living room into a stage, and let each family member shine and feel the applause.
Ages suitable for: All ages.
Skills developed: Self-expression, confidence, creativity.
Shadow Puppet Theatre
What you’ll need: A white sheet or large paper, a flashlight, and your hands.
How to play: Create a DIY shadow puppet theatre by hanging a white sheet or large paper as a backdrop. Use your hands to make various shapes and characters, and bring stories to life with the help of a flashlight. Let your child’s imagination run wild as they invent their own tales and characters.
Ages suitable for: All ages.
Skills developed: Imagination, storytelling, fine motor skills.
Board Game Marathon
What you’ll need: A collection of board games suitable for different age groups.
How to play: Gather your favourite board games and embark on a board game marathon. Take turns choosing and playing different games as a family. Enjoy the friendly competition, laughter, and bonding that come with tabletop gaming.
Ages suitable for: All ages (choose age-appropriate games for younger children).
Skills developed: Strategy, critical thinking, sportsmanship.
Indoor Bowling Alley
What you’ll need: Empty plastic bottles, a softball or rolled-up socks.
How to play: Set up a bowling alley in your hallway using empty plastic bottles as pins. Create a scoring system, take turns rolling the ball, and aim for a strike! This miniaturised version of bowling is perfect for indoor play and provides hours of fun for the whole family.
Ages suitable for: All ages.
Skills developed: Hand-eye coordination, gross motor skills, counting.
Outdoor Play Ideas
Outdoor Yoga or Tai Chi
What you’ll need: A yoga mat or towel.
How to play: Engage in a calming and rejuvenating yoga. Find a peaceful spot in your garden or park, unroll your yoga mat or towel, and guide your child through simple poses or flowing movements. This activity promotes relaxation, flexibility, and mindfulness.
Ages suitable for: All ages.
Skills developed: Mindfulness, body awareness, relaxation.
Water Balloon Games
What you’ll need: Water balloons, buckets, and a wide-open space.
How to play: Beat the heat and have a blast with water balloon games. Engage in friendly water balloon tosses, create targets for accurate throws, or set up a water balloon relay race. Be prepared to get wet and have a giggle-filled time together.
Ages suitable for: All ages (adult supervision recommended for younger children).
Skills developed: Hand-eye coordination, gross motor skills, teamwork.
Bike Parade
What you’ll need: Bicycles, scooters, or tricycles, streamers, balloons, and decorations.
How to play: Organise a bike parade in your neighbourhood or local park. Decorate your bicycles with streamers, balloons, and any other creative ornaments. Follow a designated route, have fun, and let the wind blow through your hair as you pedal alongside other families.
Ages suitable for: All ages (adult supervision required for younger children).
Skills developed: Physical exercise, coordination, community engagement.
Bubble Bonanza
What you’ll need: Bubble solution and various bubble-making tools (wands, bubble guns, etc.).
How to play: Create a bubble wonderland in your backyard. Dip wands or use bubble guns to blow bubbles of all sizes and shapes. Chase and pop the bubbles together, or challenge each other to see who can make the largest bubble. It’s a simple yet enchanting outdoor activity that guarantees smiles and laughter.
Ages suitable for: All ages.
Skills developed: Gross motor skills, hand-eye coordination, sensory exploration.
DIY Mini Golf Course
What you’ll need: Cardboard, paper, cups, golf clubs (or makeshift clubs like wooden spoons), and balls (can be ping pong balls).
How to play: Design and build your own mini golf course in the backyard using household items. Create ramps, obstacles, and holes using cardboard and paper. Take turns navigating the course and see who can get the lowest score!
Ages suitable for: All ages. (Adapt difficulty of course according to the child’s age)
Skills developed: Hand-eye coordination, spatial awareness, problem-solving, patience, fine motor skills.
Play, Learn, and Create Memories!
We hope this collection of fun and free play ideas for National Play Day inspires you to embark on exciting adventures with your family. Remember, play is a powerful tool for learning, growth, and creating lasting memories. Whether you choose to explore the great outdoors, embark on indoor imaginative journeys, or engage in creative activities, the most important thing is to enjoy quality time together.
By encouraging play, you’re nurturing your child’s development while fostering a strong bond within your family. So, gear up, get ready, and let the fun begin! Happy National Play Day!