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How Your Family Can Have Fun without Leaving Your Backyard
It’s not always easy or convenient to leave your home when you’re looking for family fun. Maybe you’re too tired to handle the kids in a public setting, you don’t have any transport available, you can’t afford to do much, or you can’t leave home for another reason. Whatever the reason you’re not going anywhere, being stuck at home can make even the closest family feel a little stir-crazy. Getting outdoors can be helpful, and there’s plenty that you can do in your own backyard. Try the following ideas when you’re looking for family fun without having to go anywhere.
Get Grilling
When the weather is good, there’s nothing better than firing up the grill. Cooking and eating outside is a tried and tested way to make the most of a hot day, and it’s a good way to spend time together as a family too. No matter how big your grill is, you can make sure there’s enough food to go around. And if you want to amp up the socializing aspect, there’s always the option of inviting some neighbors or friends over to join you. Meat isn’t the only option either; it’s possible to grill some tasty fish, vegetables and even fruit.
Set Up a Pool
You don’t need to have an in-ground pool in your backyard if you want to cool off in the summer. An above-ground pool is an option too, and you can even dismantle it and pack it away when you’re not using it. They might not be large enough for adults to swim in most of the time, but they can be great for sitting in, and they’re fun for the kids too. If you’re thinking of getting one, you have the option of an inflatable pool, which can be easier to take down and pack away when you’re done with it.
Play Some Lawn Games
When you’re lucky enough to have the space of a backyard, it’s the perfect place for the kids to play. While you can just send them out to occupy themselves, it helps if there are some toys and games they can make use of too. It’s a good idea to have some classic backyard games that your kids can play whenever they want. Pickup some cornhole boards from Cornhole Worldwide or try some other classic lawn games like croquet or bocce. You could also explore some more modern games like Spikeball or some giant lawn versions of favorites, such as Connect 4 and Jenga.
Put on a Show
Getting outside can also be a great way to get your kids to use their imagination. If you have children who enjoy playing make-believe, your outdoor space can become a stage. You could start the fun by building a performance space, but it’s not a necessity to put on a performance. Encourage your children to create a play, tell stories, make up dances or do anything else that requires their creativity and imagination. Of course, you can join in too, or you can stick to being the audience.
Try Some Outdoor Crafts
Your backyard can be the ideal place to do some crafts, especially if you’re thinking of things that might get a little messy. You have more space to use, and you don’t have to worry too much about anything like getting glitter all over the floor. There are plenty of arts and crafts you can try outdoors, from setting up an easel to drawing with chalk on the paving. Gardening can also be a good way to get creative, or you can use materials from around your yard to build something, such as a fairy house or somewhere for real backyard creatures to make their home.
Create an Obstacle Course
Keeping the kids active is a great way to ensure they don’t get bored and that they get plenty of exercise. An obstacle course is a fun choice if you want to give them something different to do, and you can turn it into a race too. You can use anything that you might have to hand to create different things to climb over, step on, crawl under, and more. Just think about safety and consider whether you will need to supervise your children while they’re running the course. Use a stopwatch to time them to make it more fun and see who can win or beat their PB.
You don’t need to go anywhere to have fun with your family. Your backyard can provide plenty of fun if you want it to.
