Summer months are full of sunshine, outdoor play and exciting activities …and can be exhausting! Trying to keep your kids, and sometimes their friends, busy during summer vacation can be a full-time job.
Kari Svenneby, Active for Life contributor and mom of self-described ‘outdoor kids’ has some fantastic and fun suggestions, right in your own backyard!
1. Add water
Never underestimate the old fashioned fun you can have in your backyard with friends in your neighbourhood, and even on a balcony in a high-rise. Fill different sized buckets and containers with water and let the kids play with them for fun.
Water tag: Get the kids and yourself in swimsuits and let the play begin. Soak a sponge in water and decide who is going to be “it”. They can even chase and throw the soggy sponge at other players to make them “it”.
Kiddie pool: If you have a kiddie pool, it can be a great way to have some water fun in the backyard; splashing and having boats and toys floating in the pool.
Have a rain shower: Put on swimsuits on a warm rainy day and enjoy a rain shower.
2. Add dirt
Make a fairy garden with fairy houses: If you have fairy-lovers in your family, planting a garden complete with flowers and a fairy house is always a welcome addition to the backyard.
Make a mud pie kitchen: One of our most popular “attractions” in our garden is our mud pie kitchen. It can be done very simply with old kitchen utensils and bowls set up in a designated area in your garden.
3. Add sand
Have a spot for sand play in your backyard. Even on a balcony you can add sand in a big container and have a mini balcony sandbox. Simple, easy, and a must-have for outdoor play with toddlers.
4. Add loose parts
Rocks, shells, PVC pipes, pool noodles, and even bringing indoors toys outside add interest and create opportunities for creativity and movement. Rocks and shells are great for imaginary play and to use for fairy houses, mud pies, and sand castles. PVC pipes are excellent for pretend play but also for active play. Trust me, the kids will know how to use them.
5. Add a hiding spot
You don’t have to have a playhouse for a hiding spot. Put up a tent or make a fort out of chairs or a cardboard box.
6. Add active transportation
Make sure bikes, roller skates, skateboards, and scooters are easily accessible for riding on areas safe from traffic. Let the older kids stretch their wings and get a group of them to ride together around the neighbourhood.
7. Add backyard toys
Make sure you have on hand a variety of balls, frisbees, a parachute, and hula hoops, and that they are easily accessible for spontaneous play. Put sidewalk chalk, paint brushes, watercolours, and soap bubbles in an easy to access place so your kids can get them whenever outdoor art inspiration visits.
Adventures don’t have to be big to count as memorable for kids, as it starts in your own backyard and neighbourhood parks. Have a simply
