Fun Outdoor Family Activities to Celebrate Mother's Day

Enjoy these family outdoor activities to celebrate Mother’s Day! Mother’s Day is just around the corner and you deserve to be celebrated, mama. Whether you are trying to get your child off the iPad, making an effort to be more present with your child or just looking for a fun activity like gardening or sensory play, you will love this list of outdoor family activities!

18 outdoor family activities

Spending time together enjoying outdoor family activities are a fantastic way to connect, get exercise and spend quality time together. If you have a child with special needs, and particularly autism, then you know how important physical activity is, specifically if your child leans towards being hyperactive.

1. Garden as a family.

Gardening is one of my favorite outdoor activities for kids. Help your child participate in your gardening plan by choosing the seeds or plants you will use as a family. You could also make your family gardening activity kid-friendly by choosing a theme – such as a Disney themed garden or a dinosaur themed garden.

2. Start a new family tradition.

Create a new special family meal together, take a family photo on the same day every year, set aside time to sing as a family or create a family time capsule and write down what each person in the family loves on a piece of paper – to be opened on a particular date of your choosing.

3. Do some family yoga.

Yoga is a relaxing, physical activity that is so fun to do as a family. Get inspired by these autism-friendly yoga poses. This is one of the best outdoor activities for preschoolers!

4. Go to park and do some reading under a tree.

Reading is one of my absolute favorite activities to share as a family.

5. Take a trip.

Taking a family trip is a great way to spend time as a family, explore a new place and engage in new activities.

6. Camp out in your backyard.

You don’t have to go any further than your back yard to have an amazing family night under the stars.

7. Go to a sporting event.

Choose a sport you can all enjoy as a family, and book some tickets to enjoy a game live.

8. Play a board game in the park.

We have so much fun playing with the Sneaky Snacky Squirrel Game, Hungry Hippos, Pop-Up Pirate and UNO at my learning center.

9. Make bubble snakes.

This would be such a fun outdoor activity to share with your kids!

10. If you have a dog, get him or her ready for a long walk!

Our therapy dogs, Violette and Chou Chou love long walks through the streets of Paris and I’m sure that if you have a dog, your dog loves long walks too!

11. Take some beautiful family photos.

Taking family photos can be a challenge – particularly if you have young kids and/or a child with special needs. Make it easier and have more fun with these 6 tips.

6 Tips for Photographing Children with Special Needs #autism #autismmom #spd #adhd

12. Go for a hike.

Hiking is one of the best outdoor families activities. You will get out, explore new places and have a day of exercise and fun!

13. Sensory scavenger hunt.

Another one of the best fun outdoor activities for families is to have some sensory fun while also enjoying a scavenger hunt!

14. Create a DIY bowling lane for your garden.

Everyone loves bowling!

15. Make a DIY tire teeter totter.

I love this fun and creative outdoor project! One of my favorite outdoor activities for kids! This is one of the best outdoor activities for toddlers too.

16. Angry birds game – backyard edition.

For those of you who have kids who are obsessed with angry birds!

17. Go looking for insects (and try an insect-themed learning activity!).

Get a little dirty with these creep crawly activities.

18. Do some sidewalk drawing with sidewalk chalk.

PS. (Flowers are a wonderful gesture on Mother’s Day! Here are 6 beautiful ways to display yours.)

More Activities

More Autism Resources

The Successful Interaction with a Child with Autism Course – learn to better understand your autistic child or students with this complete course.
Autism Activities Workbook Bundle – build communication skills, fine motor skills, sensory play skills and daily living skills, while helping your child or students to successfully manage any difficult behaviors, with these fun, educational, printable activities.
Sensory Communication Workbook – Build communication skills with simple sensory activities.
How to Make a Communication Binder Guide & Workbook – Learn how to create a Communication Binder for your child or student with autism using real photos. Follow my expert guide to learn how to use it to increase communication skills.
Zoo Animals Play Dough Mats Bundle – use these printable play dough mat to work on the names of the animals, build language skills, and increase fine motor strength and precision in a fun, sensory way!