Fun Backyard Ideas For Kids

You’ve been waiting all winter for the signs.  Soon, the snow will be melting, the temperature rising, the trees starting to sprout leaves, and the days growing longer. Spring and summer are on their way, and your family is ready to get out of the house for recreational pursuits. Luckily, you don’t have to venture any farther than your spending time in the backyard. Here are some backyard fun ideas to delight your kids with creative, inventive outdoor play options.

6 Backyard Ideas For Kids

 

Marshmallow Party

For groups of kids, have a marshmallow party. What kid doesn’t love marshmallows and candy? I set up chairs with my kids around our campfire ring. Be sure to talk about fire safety with your kids as it get things ready. I always set up a little station on a table for the kids with chocolate, gram crackers, Skittles, jelly beans, peanut butter, etc. I have yet to come across a child who didn’t love making their own marshmallow sandwich. You might as well make yourself one too since they are tasty!

Sidewalk Paint/Chalk

If your family isn’t the competitive and sporting type, or if you have children who are too young for the games listed here, then sidewalk chalk or chalk paint could be the perfect activity for you. You need concrete or a similar surface on which to paint, and you can make your own sidewalk paint for an additional fun activity. You’ll need a container of baking soda, a half-cup of cornstarch, warm water and food coloring. Mix these ingredients and stir.

Once the mixture is of a thin enough consistency, you can start painting. The paint will dry very quickly, but it washes off easily. The best part is, if you spray the paint with vinegar, thanks to the cornstarch and baking soda, it will fizz! With the sidewalk as their canvas, your kids’ inner artists can come out.

Bubbles

If you’d rather not play games and don’t have a sidewalk or concrete, then blow bubbles! Everyone can have fun trying to make the largest bubble or trying to pop the most bubbles. You can make your own bubbles with dishwashing soap, water and glycerin, or purchase bubble solution in stores.

Swing Set or Tree Swing

Swing sets are always great fun for kids so that is a no brainer.  But if you add a DIY wooden tree swing it can even be fun for the adults!

Backyard Treasure

Spend about ten minutes and draw a treasure map of your backyard with clues for your kids to help them find buried treasure. Depending on their age, they may want to do this with their friends or you can help them out. For the buried treasure, you don’t need to spend much money either. Little prizes from $0.25 machines work great, a dollar is good too or any other small knick-knacks. Just be sure you have enough for the number of children playing these backyard games for kids.

Scavenger Hunt

Send your little ones on a scavenger hunt in your backyard. Provide them with a list of items to find like a four-leaf clover, a rock with a white spot, a pink petal from a flower, etc. Just make sure most of the items can be found! You don’t want a disappointed scavenger on your hands. You can watch your child play this game or join in on the fun. As Friedrich Nietzsche once said, “In every real man a child is hidden that wants to play.” So play already!  If you need idea, you can print out a nature bingo card to get you started.

Conclusion

With our list of games and activities, you should have plenty of backyard fun ideas to fill those extended, warm days!  I hope you enjoy the benefits of spending time with family. When spring and summer arrive, what will you be doing with your family for backyard fun?