During summer, spending time outdoors and getting some quality family time are pretty much one and the same. Having a backyard and a few creative ideas can offer the opportunity for you and your family to have an amazing time together without having to leave your house or spend a ridiculous amount of money. Water-based games, old-school yard fun, and even cool plays on classic indoor family nights, these activities are going to keep your family busy and happy all summer long.
Source: ramblingsfromutopia.com
1. DIY Pool Noodle Race Track
Ridiculously easy to set up and an almost endless source of fun, this pool noodle race track is the perfect backyard activity for your kids this summer. By splitting a pool noodle in half, sticking them together, and propping it up on something high, you can allow your kids to race to their heart’s content.
Visit Ramblings From Utopia to find tons of amazing and whimsical parenting projects and inspiration.
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2. DIY Flamingo Ring Toss Yard Game
Everyone loves a nice game of ring toss. Especially what that toss involves tons of cute, colorful flamingos! Ths DIY game project is surprisingly simple to make, so much so that your little ones can easily help you set it up.
Check out Sugar & Cloth to find amazing DIY and design inspiration.
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3. DIY Platform Swing
You don’t need to invest in one of those crazy expensive and complicated backyard jungle gyms to give your kids their very own swingset. A few handy PVC pipes, some netting, and a bit of rope can easily get you one awesome, tree-dwelling, multiple child holding backyard swing. The contraption may require a bit of help but it is relatively easy to put together and sturdy enough to feel safe about your little ones constantly using it (which they totally will be).
Fin hilarious parenting anecdotes and even cooler project inspiration at The Naughty Mommy.
Source: firefliesandmudpies.com
4. Squirt Gun Painting
Let your kids express their inner Jackson Pollock’s with this amazing artistic outdoor activity. Set up an easel in your backyard, clipping a few sheets of watercolor paper onto the surface, then fill up a few powerful squirt guns with liquid watercolor paints and allow your little ones to make some pretty cool artwork.
Fireflies and Mud Pies is full of awesome ideas for kids crafts and games.
Source: dallas.citymomsblog.com
5. DIY Giant Lawn Jenga
If your family is big on board games, try giving your kids this giant version of Jenga to have a little problem solving fun with. Creating this giant Jenga game requires some pretty precise wood cutting, dying the pieces, and not to mention having to keep up with about a million pieces but the utter cool-ness of the project is well worth it.
From an awesome forum to some pretty great parenting tips, Dallas Moms Blog has it all.
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6. Yardzee
Another classic family game that has gotten a major makeover. What better way to make Yahtzee even more entertaining for kids than making it huge and playable in the backyard! Again, this project requires some on-the-nose wood cutting and light decoration but, aside from the giant bucket, all other materials are provided in free printouts on the website.
Get inspiration and information on your very own remodeling projects at Remodelaholic.
Source: overstuffedlife.com
7. Water Balloon Baseball
America’s favorite pastime just got a lot more cool. Literally! Simply fill up some water balloons, gather up a plastic baseball bat, and tell your kids to batter up and get ready to play.
Get tips and ideas for surviving life as a busy mom at Overstuffed Life.