How to Have Fun Outside when None of Your Friends Are Home

Co-authored by Hunter Rising

Last Updated: March 5, 2023 References

\It may feel lonely if your friends can't hang out with you outside, but there are many activities that you can enjoy while you're on your own! If you want to have a relaxing time outdoors, try reading, looking at nature, or enjoying the weather. If you get bored easily, be active by exploring your neighborhood or practicing sports so you can get some exercise. No matter the weather, you'll be able to find something fun to do all by yourself!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Relaxing in Nature

1
Lie in the grass with a book if you want a relaxing day. Find one of your favorite books or one that you haven’t read yet, and take it outside with you. Find a comfortable spot in a grassy area that’s under a tree or in the shade so you can relax without the sun getting in your eyes. Spend time reading your book without distractions while you get some fresh air.
- If you can’t lie in the grass, try spreading out a blanket on the ground instead. You can find a comfortable chair or hammock if you can’t lie directly on the ground.
- Listen to music in headphones while you read if you live in a loud area.
2
Find shapes in the clouds if you want to use your imagination. Lie somewhere that allows you to look up at the sky and see the clouds passing by. Use your imagination to think of what the clouds are shaped like so you can be creative. Try watching the same cloud for a long period of time to see how it changes shapes as it moves. Draw what you see on a piece of paper so you don’t forget the shapes you found and can show them to someone else later.^{[1]
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- Wear sunglasses if it’s a bright day so you don’t have to squint your eyes.
- Don’t look at clouds that are in the same place as the sun since you could hurt your vision.
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3
Draw on the pavement with sidewalk chalk if you want to be creative. Sidewalk chalk is a great way to decorate a driveway or sidewalk. Get a box that has multiple colors inside so you can make detailed drawings. Practice your drawing skills and make designs on the pavement so it’s pretty to look at. Take pictures of your drawings so you can remember them before they get erased.^{[2]
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- If you don’t like your drawing, rinse them off with water and let the pavement dry.
- Try drawing a hopscotch design on the ground and playing to see how far you can get.
4
Have a picnic outside if you want to enjoy a meal. Prepare a meal that you can transport easily, such as sandwiches, chips, fruits, and vegetables. Pack the meal in a lunchbox or a picnic basket, and take it with you wherever you want to have your picnic. Spread out a blanket or sit at a table so you can enjoy your meal outdoors. Be sure to pick up any scraps or waste so you don’t litter.^{[3]
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- You can have a picnic in your yard or you can travel to a nearby park.
- Ask your parents for help if you aren’t able to prepare your own meal.
- Bugs or animals may be attracted to your food, so don’t leave anything unattended for longer than a few minutes.
5
Go on a nature scavenger hunt to find native plants and animals. Look online for a list of plants and animals that are native to your area and list them all in a notebook. Go around your yard or neighborhood looking for the wildlife that you’ve written down. Once you find something that’s on your list, cross it off to show that you’ve found it. Try to find as many plants or animals on your list as you’re able to.^{[4]
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- You can also take pictures if you have a camera or phone that you can use.
- Alternatively, you can look at the plants and animals around your home and write down descriptions about them. When you’re finished, try searching online for the wildlife you found so you can identify them.
Warning: Don’t handle any plants or animals you’re unfamiliar with since they could carry diseases or harm you.
6
Try stargazing if you’re outside at night. Try to find a spot in the sky that doesn’t have a lot of clouds so it’s easier to see the stars. Lay a blanket on the ground so you can lie down or find a comfortable chair to sit in. Try to find well-known constellations in the sky, such as the Big and Little Dipper, or make up your own shapes to use your imagination.^{[5]
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- You may not be able to see the stars well if you live in an area that has a lot of bright lights.
- You can download stargazing apps online so you can easily locate constellations in the night sky.
7
Jump in piles of leaves for fun in the autumn. Wait until most of the leaves have fallen off the trees so you can make the biggest piles. Rake the leaves into large piles before jumping into them. Always jump feet first so you don’t hurt yourself when you land on the pile. Rake the leaves again if the pile breaks up so you can jump in them again.^{[6]
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- There may be bugs living in the dead leaves, so be sure to brush yourself off after jumping in the leaves to get them off.
- Collect some of the leaves you rake if you want to identify which tree they came from later on.
8
Build a snowman if you want a relaxing winter activity. Make a small snowball in your hand before rolling it through the snow on the ground. Once the first snowball is about 2 feet (61 cm) across, place it where you want your snowman. Start rolling another snowball until it’s 1 ¹⁄₂ feet (46 cm) wide and set it on top of the first. Add a third snowball for the head. Decorate your snowman so it has eyes, a nose, a mouth, and arms.^{[7]
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- Wet snow works best for making a snowman since it sticks together easier and forms into balls.
- Be sure to wear snow gear while you’re outside so you don’t get too cold.
- Give your snowman a hat and scarf if you want to include additional accessories.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Getting Active Outdoors

1
Take a walk or bike ride around your neighborhood if you want to explore. Plan your route before you leave your home so you can tell your parents where you’re going. Stay on the sidewalk while you’re walking and biking so you can stay safe. Go through your neighborhood to see what’s nearby and get some exercise. Make sure you’re always aware of your surroundings so you don’t get lost or in trouble.
- Always wear a helmet while you’re biking so you don’t get hurt if there’s an accident.
- Take a cell phone with you so you can contact your parents in case of an emergency.
- Talk to your parents to find out if they have any boundaries for how far away you can go. Don’t go any further than what they say so you don’t get in trouble.
2
Practice yoga outdoors so you can be closer to nature. Find a place that’s shady and has level ground to put your yoga mat so you’re less likely to fall during your poses. Go through your regular yoga routine or follow along with one on a phone or laptop. Try to focus on the sounds of nature around you to feel calm and relaxed while you work through your routine.^{[8]
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- Use an old yoga mat if possible so the one you use indoors doesn’t get too dirty.
- If there are loud noises in your area, try wearing headphones while doing your poses.
3
Visit a nearby park if you want to have fun on playground equipment. Check if there are any parks that you can easily walk or bike to where you can enjoy time alone, and ask your parents if it’s okay to go on your own. When you get to the park, try going on the swings, playing on the jungle gym, or talking to other kids that are playing there. Stay aware of the time of day so you can get back home before it gets too dark.
- If you don’t feel like playing at the park, you can also bring a book to read or have a picnic instead.
- If your parents won’t let you go to the park alone, ask them to take you so you can have some time to play.
4
Hone your athletic skills if you want to get better at sports. If you’re involved in sports, find drills or techniques that you can do alone so you can practice. If you have a basketball hoop, try shooting the ball from different places or improving your dribbling technique. If you play soccer, try dribbling the ball or kicking it into a practice goal. Keep running drills until you feel tired and want to relax.^{[9]
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- If you don’t know any practice techniques, try finding some online before you go outside.
5
Go for a hike if you’re close to trails or nature preserves. Ask your parents if it’s okay to go for a hike and let them know when you plan on being back. Put on sturdy shoes or hiking boots so you don’t hurt yourself or slip as easily. Take time to walk through the trails and explore nature so you can spend time without any electronics. Only walk as far as you’re comfortable going so you don’t get too tired on your way back.^{[10]
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- Bring bug spray with you if you’re going into a wooded area so you don’t get bit by anything.
- Take a cell phone so you can use it for navigation or call someone in case of an emergency.
6
Try swimming if you have access to a pool or beach. Change into your swimsuit and bring a towel so you can easily dry yourself off. Spend time playing with any of the pool equipment or swimming laps if you want to exercise. Look for other people at the swimming area that you could spend time or play with if you don’t want to swim alone. Don’t go in water that’s deeper than you’re comfortable with so you don’t drown.^{[11]
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- Be sure to wear sunscreen so you don’t get burnt while you’re out in the sun.
- Don’t go swimming in an unsupervised area in case there’s an emergency.
Tip: If you don’t have access to a swimming area, see if you can set up a sprinkler or kiddy pool in your yard so you can still have fun in the water.
7
Go sledding if it’s winter and there are hills nearby. Wear a coat, snow pants, and boots so you stay dry while you’re sledding. Carry the sled to the top of the hill and position it so the front points back down the hill. Sit in the sled so your feet are closest to the front and scoot forward to go down the hill. Hold onto the handles or the sides of the sled so you don’t fall out while you’re going down the hill. Continue climbing and going down the hill until you get tired.^{[12]
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- Avoid sledding on icy areas since you could easily hurt yourself if you fall out.
- Wear a winter helmet while you’re sledding just in case you fall out and hit your head.