The weather is getting hotter, the kids are out of school, and the days are getting longer. To give kids plenty of fun reasons to build their imaginations and get plenty of fresh air, here are five excellent DIY backyard games to enjoy:
Contents
#1 Giant Jenga
Supplies you’ll need:
- 6 – 2”x4”x8’ boards
- Electric Sander
- Miter or Circular Saw
- Flat playing surface (a table or sidewalk)
How to make it happen:
Use the saw to cut 54 pieces of 2×4 that are each 10-1/2” long. Then use the electric sander to make sure all of the sides and edges are smooth…its that easy! Check here forthe official rules.
#2 Balloon Darts:
Supplies you’ll need:
- Board Material (probably plywood)
- Dart Balloons or regular balloons
- Pins or tacks
- Darts
How to make it happen:
Place the board where you want to play. Then blow up the balloons until they are only part full of air (this makes it harder to pop them). Blow up enough balloons to cover your “dart board” and then start pinning them to the board. Start with a top row, and space the balloons about 4 or 5 inches apart. Then place the second row below the first, and alternate the spacing so the balloons are not all in a line. Keep adding rows until you’ve filled up the entire board.
Spice it up:
You could put pieces of candy or paper with prizes written on them inside all or some of the balloons before blowing them up for the players to win when they pop the balloons.
#3 Frozen Tshirt Contest
Supplies you’ll need:
- One Shirt per player
- Wax Paper
- A Freezer
How to make it happen:
Soak each shirt in water, then wring it out and fold it. Put wax paper between them and put them in the freezer. Once they are frozen they are ready to be handed out and the first player to unfold it and get it on wins.
Spice it up: While you’re enjoying watching thisunfold, you may enjoy one of these tasty summer mocktails.
#4 Ladder Golf
Supplies you’ll need:
- ¾” PVC pipe and fittings
- Pipe Saw or cutter
- PVC glue
- Nylon rope & lighter
- 18 Golf Balls
- Drill press or drill and clamps
- Spray Paint
How to make it happen:
The basic steps are: Cut ten – 2ft pieces and sixteen – 1ft pieces. Drill 3/8″ holes in each golf ball (make sure they are clamped down well before drilling). Paint your PVC rungs and golf balls. Cut your nylon rope 20″ pieces and string your golf balls. Tie knots on the end and use a lighter to keep the ends from fraying. Once your paint is dried, connect your PVC together using the fittings and you’re all done!
#5 Sponge Relay
Supplies you’ll need:
- 2+ sponges
- 2 large buckets and 2 small buckets
How to make it happen:
Fill the two large buckets with water and put a sponge in each. Have each team line up and explain that they have to race to fill up the small bucket with water from the large only using the sponge, with team members taking turns shuttling water. The first team to fill up the small bucket wins!
Spice it up: Make a rule that the sponge has to be carried above their heads.
There you have it, 5 easy ways to keep those kiddos (and maybe you too) active and enjoying the doors this summer.