Kitties love going outdoors and exploring. They come back having learned things that even the best owners can't imagine. I find that after a little time outside chasing around and jumping at shadows the rattle of a box of Munchies etc. dry food gets them scampering back indoors.
When I go out and don't want puss to dart outside (like to work in the morning when I haven't got time to mess around) the rattled box and reward of a few morsels at the last moment is enough to keep them occupied whilst I nip out.