Overcoming Outdoor Resistance: How to Get Kids Excited About Nature

Struggling to get your kids off the couch and into nature? Here’s how to make outdoor play irresistible—even for screen-loving kids.

Understanding Why Kids Resist Outdoor Play

If your child groans at the idea of going outside, you’re not alone. In a world filled with digital entertainment, nature can feel “boring” in comparison. The vibrant graphics, instant rewards, and fast-paced excitement of screens can make outdoor play seem dull. But that doesn’t mean kids can’t learn to love nature—it just requires the right approach.

The key to overcoming resistance isn’t forcing kids outside but making the outdoors as engaging and rewarding as their favorite indoor activities. To do that, it helps to understand why kids may not be eager to go outside in the first place:

• Lack of structure: Unlike video games or television, nature doesn’t always come with clear objectives or rewards.
• Perceived discomfort: Bugs, dirt, and weather can seem like major obstacles.
• Fear of boredom: If outdoor time has always been unstructured, kids might not know how to play creatively outside.
• No one to play with: Solo outdoor play can feel lonely if there aren’t friends or siblings to join in.

By recognizing these barriers, you can tailor your approach to make outdoor time more engaging and enjoyable.

How to Make Outdoor Time as Engaging as Screens

Technology captivates kids by offering clear goals, challenges, and rewards. The good news? Nature can do the same—when presented the right way. Here’s how you can make the outdoors feel just as exciting as their favorite digital activities:

1. Turn Outdoor Time Into an Interactive Game

Instead of simply telling kids to “go outside and play,” introduce activities with built-in goals and excitement.

• Treasure Hunts: Hide objects around the yard or park and create a simple treasure map. Add clues to make it a mini-adventure.
• Geocaching: This real-world treasure hunt uses GPS coordinates to find hidden caches. It’s like an outdoor video game in real life.
• Nature Bingo: Make a list of things to find—acorns, a red leaf, an ant carrying food—and have kids check them off as they go.

2. Use Technology to Your Advantage

If screens are part of the struggle, integrate them into the experience instead of eliminating them.

• Photography Challenges: Give kids a phone or camera and challenge them to capture specific things—”Find something fuzzy,” “Take a close-up of a bug,” “Snap a photo of something colorful.”
• Fitness or Step Challenges: Use apps or smartwatches to set step goals for a walk or hike.
• Augmented Reality (AR) Apps: Some apps turn nature into an interactive experience, allowing kids to learn about plants, track constellations, or even find virtual creatures in the wild.

3. Provide Comfortable Outdoor Spaces

Sometimes kids resist going outside because they associate it with discomfort—too hot, too cold, too many bugs. Make the environment inviting:

• Create a backyard play space with cozy seating, shade, and easy access to snacks and drinks.
• Let kids help set up camp—whether it’s a blanket fort on the porch or a tent in the backyard.
• Dress for success—ensure they have the right clothing and gear for the weather so discomfort isn’t a reason to stay inside.

The Power of Adventure and Challenge-Based Play

Some kids need more than just structured activities—they crave adventure. Outdoor families know that adventure-based play naturally sparks curiosity and excitement.

1. Let Kids Take Small Risks

Children love challenges. Climbing trees, balancing on logs, or jumping over streams builds confidence and keeps kids engaged. Give them opportunities to explore without too many restrictions.

• Build obstacle courses in the backyard using simple materials like logs, crates, and rope.
• Encourage nature-based “parkour”—jumping between rocks, balancing on fallen trees, or racing across different terrains.
• Introduce real-world skills—teach kids how to start a fire, filter water, or tie knots to give them a sense of accomplishment.

2. Plan Mini Outdoor Adventures

Transform everyday outdoor play into an adventure by adding a sense of journey and discovery.

• Create a backyard “expedition”—pretend you’re explorers mapping uncharted territory.
• Take a night hike with flashlights or glow sticks to make the outdoors feel mysterious and new.
• Let kids be the guide—have them choose the path on a trail or lead the way on a walk.

3. Introduce Outdoor Rewards and Traditions

Sometimes, kids need a little extra motivation to get started. Build outdoor traditions that make time outside something to look forward to.

• End every adventure with a treat—hot cocoa after a winter hike, s’mores after an evening outside, or a picnic snack after a bike ride.
• Track outdoor adventures in a family journal where kids can record what they did, what they saw, and what they loved.
• Celebrate outdoor “firsts”—first time catching a frog, climbing a big rock, or skipping a stone across the water.

Final Thoughts: Outdoor Fun is a Mindset Shift

If your child isn’t eager to go outside, don’t worry—it’s not about forcing them into nature, but helping them discover the joy of it. By turning outdoor play into a game, embracing adventure, and making the experience comfortable, you can shift their perspective. Before long, they’ll be the ones asking, “Can we go outside?”

You only get one chance to live this life with your kids.

Let’s make it count — outside.
Join the Paddles and Packs newsletter and unlock our members-only collection of free planning tools, guides, and resources.
They’re designed to help your family get outside more often — and with less stress.

Join & Get the Collection →

Related Posts

• The #1 Mistake Parents Make When Trying to Get Their Kids Outside (And How to Fix It!)
• The Best Nature Activities for Kids Who Don’t Like the Outdoors
• Why Kids Need More Time in Nature (And How to Make it Happen

Want to save this for later? Add the image below to one of your boards on Pinterest.