Ontario is slowly beginning to open up again and residents are able to socialize (in small groups), some overnight camping is available, and shops are able to open their doors again (with limited capacity). Even though restrictions are starting to be lifted, folks are still hesitant to be out in crowds and leary to travel to urban areas. This year, save a few bucks, stay safe in your own home vicinity, and enjoy some backyard family fun – in your own back yard!

Many of our friends have gone the swimming pool route and installed a pool in their yard to their family to enjoy. We really don’t want the responsibility and maintenance (not to mention the cost) of a pool. So, luckily our friends are gracious enough to invite us over for a swim now and again. But this is the ongoing trend – making one’s backyard an oasis of relaxation and a fun refuge for the family!

We opted for a more affordable backyard oasis with a few key purchases our family can enjoy together.

Outdoor Games

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Surely, everyone has memories of playing lawn darts and croquet in the yard as a kid. Well, all the outdoor games you knew and loved are still available (though maybe slightly altered). Playing video games and chatting with friends online is all well and fine, but sometimes it’s necessary to get kids to unplug and go outside! We often have device-free weekends and outdoor games are a great way to pass the time and bond as a family. Here are a few suggestions!

• Badminton
• Beanbag Toss
• Ladder Toss
• Bocce Ball
• Lawn Bowling
• Horse Shoes

Trampoline

These fave contraptions among kids were a hot commodity during the first initial lockdown. We looked everywhere for a decent (and affordable) trampoline in 2020 and we could not find any! We finally bit the bullet and bought one in 2021 and it has been a real hit with our daughter and her friends! From the point of view of a parent though, it is a bit of a pain to move the thing around the yard when cutting the grass. Just putting that out there!

Fire Pit or Fire Table

Either of these will be a hit with the fam – but we have both! You can’t go wrong an evening fire, roasting marshmallows and hot dogs, and star gazing. When we want a full boar fire, we go for the fire pit – complete with smores and sparklers! For the occasions when we want a quick warm up – or when an open fire ban was in place – we opted for the fire table!

Water Fight!

Always have water balloons and water guns handy! Even though it takes forever to fill all the balloons, the fun that ensues after is totally worth it! Take your water fun to the next level and create an obstacle course, make your own slip n’ slide, or turn your outdoor games into a water edition – hello water balloon toss!!! Be sure to set some safety rules and always pick up the broken water balloons after playing.

Backyard Camping

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Campgrounds fill up rather quickly, so why not camp in your own back yard?!! Setup the tent, inflatable mattress, and sleeping bags in the comfort of your own property! You can still enjoy all the fun of camping – evening fire, roasting marshmallows, catching fireflies – all in your own yard! If it rains or the kiddos get scared, just go in the house! Another idea! If you do have a trampoline, put a tarp over the top and sleep on it!

Crafting

If there’s one thing I loathe about crafting – it’s cleaning up the mess!! So if the weather is nice, just take the craft projects outside! Rock and nature crafts, leaf art, squirt or pendulum painting, or make your own tie-dye t-shirt! If the kids make a mess outside – hose the area (and maybe the children) down afterward! These type of unique crafts would make terrific gifts for relatives whom you haven’t seen in a while (thanks pandemic).

Plan a Picnic

Jumping on a trampoline, making crafts, and playing badminton can make a person extremely hangry! Kids love eating outside! So why not take a little break from all the family backyard fun and enjoy a little picnic! Prepare the family’s fave summer foods, lay out a blanket, and sit down to a simple and timeless picnic!

Scavenger Hunt

This classic activity may involve leaving the backyard, but that’s ok. There are so many printable scavenger hunts (for free) that are readily available online and suitable for all ages! If you’re feeling extra adventurous – try making your own! Think ahead of all the things you see on your walks in and around your own community. Jot down a quick list and find all the items during your stroll!

Check out this FREE printable scavenger hunt I created! Great for fall!

Get Cooking!

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Kids love to help in the kitchen! For those families with older children, there’s no reason they can’t help (with adult supervision) with meals prepared on the barbecue! Whenever we grill hotdogs or sausages, our daughter has to prepare her famous onions on the bbq side burner! They’re simple (though delicious) and she feels her contribution makes dinner that much better. Get the kiddos in the kitchen helping with mixing, chopping (for older children), and throwing in ingredients for salads, marinades, and – of course – dessert!

Science Experiments

Parents can find plenty of fun and educational science experiments online. Our daughter recently went through a phase where she was obsessed with performing science experiments! Most websites will provide details on simple experiments and a list of supplies you will need. We got most of our materials at the dollar store! Your kids will be entertained while learning about important scientific principles.

Related Post: Kids Green Crafts

Fun with Chalk!

Like us, I’m sure your family has enough sidewalk chalk to chock a horse! Sidewalk chalk is such a fun and simple way to keep a child entertained and get their creative juices flowing! Write an inspirational quote of the driveway, decorate the fence or shed walls, or colour the front walkway in happy rainbow shades! The creative possibilities are endless! There is even chalk paint and chalk spray paint available!

Get Growing!

Children are fascinated with plants! They love to care for plants, watch them bloom, and grow something that will bear a fruit or veggie they can eat! A couple of years ago, my daughter and I made a fairy garden in an old wash basin. A local garden center had a class and she was so pleased with her work when it was complete. Well, we’ve had that fairy garden in our back flower bed ever since and it is still growing strong!

A couple of weeks ago, we also created a little raised garden for the backyard as well! All the materials were recycled and even though it may not look pretty – our girl is so proud of her little garden! She planted a tomato, a red bell pepper, and a green been plant – plus a little rosemary! She checks on her garden every single day and the plants are beginning to hear their respected vegetable!

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The backyard family fun possibilities are endless!

• Discover all the birds who visit your yard
• Plant wild flowers for the butterflies and bees
• Climb trees
• Play with bubbles
• Build a bat house
• Hunt for worms
• Watch a sunrise or sunset

No matter what you decide to do – just do it together! Make memories, create new and fun traditions, and discover all the fun to be had in the comfort of your own backyard.