Parenting Summer Break: Backyard Ideas
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Looking for some unique backyard family fun ideas for all ages?
I started this post by asking my brother Jon of Outdoor Lifestyles for some ideas on how to help families create a fun and relaxing environment in their own backyards.
Jon suggested planting vegetable and herb gardens throughout the landscape in your yard. Herbs can be put in planters and some vegetables can be spread in and around flower beds or near boulders or trees or even in the front yard.
This adds interest to plant beds around the yard. It also provides food for the family and can be a fun scavenger hunt for kids as the vegetables begin to grow.
Creating an artful garden environment with added pieces like our friends Mike and Leslie (pictured below), or create family stepping stones like Annie’s girls make for her each Mother’s Day. (also pictured below)
Gardening is a fun and inexpensive way to add a fresh atmosphere to your yard and harvest some food in the process. If your yard garden takes off, you may be able to can or freeze some veggies for the winter!
Here is how my daughter Emily started some of our plants. This is a fun project for kids as they can watch for the seeds to sprout!
Use recycled Gatorade bottles to start seedlings in your house!
Here are more “out of the box” ideas to check out…
If you long for a water feature but aren’t able to install one in your yard, consider streaming ambient water background noise through a Bluetooth speaker.
Use the same speaker to enjoy various genres of music outside. Have a dance party? Italian music for pasta night?
Check out 10 Home Playground Ideas Your Kids Will Love. #5 is from Noteworthy Parenting!
Shish kabobs on the patio for dinner! (photo)
Check out the sprinkler Gary R. built for his grandkids in the photos! He saw the idea on Facebook and got busy!
Check out this marble fence idea!
How about an outdoor organization station for the water toys and towels?
Use a covered garbage bin for balls and other backyard toys.
Have kids use pool noodles and solo cups to create a putt-putt course. Any added decorations are a bonus!
Use glow in the dark necklaces to have a night time ring toss over 2-liter pop bottles.
Get out the camping lanterns, or maybe wrap some outdoor lights around a favorite tree in the yard. How about a (family-safe) fire pit?
Birdwatch by making some bird feeders. Check out the Happy Hooligans site for 32 Ways to Make Homemade Bird Feeders.
Find sticks, rocks, and items around the house to plant a fairy garden in a large pot or part of your yard.
Set up a mudpie kitchen! GIve the kids old pots and utensils that you do not use anymore. Just add dirt and water! (PS have a cleanup plan!)
The kiddie pool is one of my favorites and I have seen people empty the water and add pillows and blankets for a fun lounge for kids to sit in!
Tree swings? Hammocks?
Put up the family tent or let the kids make a fort!
Jon also suggested adding some tavern-type patio games to your yard. You can create an inexpensive Horseshoe pit or set up Cornhole.
If you are looking for more of a project and lasting improvement, consider a Bocce Ball Court. Jon explains that you can use timber ties to build your rectangular perimeter, add a 3-inch road base and compact it. Last spread breeze (crushed refines) for the top and you are ready to play!
If you’re looking for more fun ideas for your family, check out these posts…
Tips on Helping Your Kids Learn to Pack Their Own Lunch
Whew! That’s a lot of ideas to get you started!
Stay tuned for more summer ideas!
Parenting is not about perfection.
It’s about the POWER in your PLAN!
Think it! Note it! Parent it!
Ready to start your parenting plan? Check out the Noteworthy Parenting Book and Journal available on Amazon.com
Parents!
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