10 Clever Backyard Project Ideas for Kids

If your kids already are claiming there's nothing to do outside, here are 10 clever and creative projects they can tackle in the backyard. Roll up your sleeves and get ready to have fun!

1. Nature collage suncatcher

Little explorers can forage for flowers, leaves, grass, twigs, or whatever else they want to include in this low-fuss, simple nature collage suncatcher.

2. Squirt gun painting

Need I say more? Kids will love squirt gun painting—the messier, the better!

3. Butterfly feeder

Draw beautiful butterflies to your yard with this easy butterfly feeder craft that kids of any age can assist with. (And if you want to enhance your garden, check out these tips for how to attract butterflies to your garden.

4. Worm farm

For truly down and dirty play, try out a worm farm. Smaller container farms are easy to assemble out of recycled glass or plastic containers. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous (or if you kids really, really love worms), try this larger scale model.

5. Rainbow bubble snakes

Mix and match food coloring to create colorful rainbow bubble snakes that will slither around the yard.

6. Fly swatter painting

Snag a few new fly swatters from your local dollar store and let the kids have at it; goggles might be a good idea for this fly swatter painting project.

7. Tin foil river

Budding engineers will become absorbed in creating their waterway, complete with obstacles and streams with this tin foil river.

8. Giant ice cube awesomeness

I mean, who doesn’t want to create some giant ice cube awesomeness? Kiddos can help toss small toys in before this massive ice block is frozen, and then the fun really begins when they chip away to discover those treasures and cool off in the process.

9. Slide painting

One slide, a loooong roll of easel paper, washable paint, and water combine for an afternoon well spent in messy, colorful slide painting fun.

10. Marble run water slide

Slice up some pool noodles (gotta love that dollar store!), attach the hose, and let your kids send marbles, cars and whatever else they can think of careening down this marble run water slide.