Getting your children off their screens to go play outside is difficult, especially in an era where the internet is so prominent. Giving them that time for fresh air is important, though, so we recommend putting together some fun outdoor games for them to enjoy. Here are a few of our top DIY outdoor games for kids that you can put together in your backyard.
Paint Hopscotch Squares
Hopscotch is a very simple game that a lot of us remember from our own childhoods. Rather than let such a nostalgic game remain in the past, try sharing it with your kids so they can enjoy it as well! Getting a game of hopscotch up and running is extremely easy. All you need to get started is an uninterrupted stretch of patio.
If you just want to set up the game temporarily, draw the squares using washable sidewalk chalk. If you’d like the hopscotch squares to be a more permanent fixture, though, use pavement paint instead. Either way, once you’ve drawn or painted in the squares, (and allowed the paint to dry if necessary) you’re good to go! Your children will be able to have hours of outdoor fun with their new hopscotch squares.
Build a Luxury Backyard Playground
While kids love going to the playground, there’s not always enough time in the day to pay your local park a visit. That’s why we recommend skipping the travel time and setting up a full luxury playground in your own backyard.
To decide what playground fixtures should be set up, consider your kids’ interests. What do they play with the most during their regular park visits? If you need a few reliable options, we recommend sandboxes, swing sets, and trampolines. Though home playground fixtures aren’t cheap, they’re a worthwhile investment that’ll be a source of entertainment for your little ones for years to come.
Build a Fort
Do you remember having a fort or treehouse back when you were a kid? Having a full structure to yourself felt cool and exciting, even if it was just a small room. One of the best ways to get your children outside and active is to give them a space of their own. Of course, this isn’t exactly a small undertaking. So we only recommend doing this if you have the time, money, resources, and know-how you need to see it through. If you do, though, seeing your child’s face light up when you’re done is by far one of the greatest rewards you’ll ever receive for your work.
If you’re confident in your abilities as a craftsman. You can attempt to draw the structure up yourself, but if you’ve never done something like this before, we recommend simply buying a kit. You’ll still have to do most of the assembly yourself. But the kit will provide you with materials like wood and screws. A blueprint or instruction manual, and an image of the completed fort to use as a reference.
Simply follow the instructions, and you should have a solid fort once all is said and done. Though it should be structurally sound, be sure to do a few tests before letting your kids play on their new fort. Try to shake it, move it, or otherwise disturb it. If it’s moving or swaying, you may need to tighten a few screws before it’s safe for your kids to play on.
Paint a Foursquare Court
Much like hopscotch squares. It’s extremely easy to set up either a temporary or permanent foursquare court with a bit of chalk or paint. Start by painting a very large square on a flat, uninterrupted stretch of concrete. Then, paint one line from the top of the square to the bottom. Paint a second line from the left of the square to the right. Having divided the square into four segments, give each small square its own number. Then, all you need is a dodgeball and you’re ready to play!
Make a Beanbag Toss Board
This one will test your skills as a craftsman, but is much simpler than building an entire fort. Get a few 2×4” beams and build a square frame. Then, cut a few 2×4’ beams in half and use them to build triangular supports. Nail the supports to the edges of the frame. Get a piece of plywood and cut several holes in it, then label each hole with a different score. Nail the plywood to the triangular supports, get some beanbags, and your beanbag toss board is ready to go! Enjoy outdoor games with your kids.
Looking for more great tips, tricks, and products to get your little ones outside and active? Feel free to visit our site at ToysCentral today!