Tight budgets may prevent summer travel, but they don’t have to prevent summer fun. Lawn games are an easy way to engage people of ages in outdoor exercise and recreation. Many lawn games are only mildly competitive and do not involve physical force, which may be particularly suitable for groups with mixed ages and abilities. Best of all, lawn games require few or no supplies and only a spot of land on which to run around.
Red Light/Green Light
Imitate traffic with this spontaneous lawn game, suggests KidSpot. One person is the “traffic light,” the rest of the players are the vehicles. The traffic light stands about 15 feet away from the players, facing away. When she says “green light,” the traffic may begin moving from the starting line towards her. However, at any time, the traffic light may say “red light” and turn away. At this point, the traffic must stop; players who are still moving must return to the starting line. The first player to touch the traffic light wins and becomes the traffic light for the next game.
Pickle
Steal bases and throw carefully in this active game, notes KidSpot. Use a soft, squishy foam ball that can tag a person without injury. Designate two bases, about 15 to 20 feet apart. Give the ball to two children to toss between each other while standing on one of the bases. While playing with each other, they must also tag the other children, who are running between the bases. Wild throws enable the other children to steal bases. Being tagged turns the child into “it,” one of the people who throws the ball. Continue the game until the players are too tired to run.
Batty Bowl
Use unusual items--such as a stack of empty cans, an oatmeal container, a plastic stand-up toy or a milk jug--as bowling pins, suggests Disney Family. Set them up in a triangle formation, as you would traditional bowling pins. Roll a soccer ball to try to knock the objects down, or throw a tennis or golf ball to try to knock them over. Stack the items away from any players or onlookers so they won't be struck by a ball.
Homemade Miniature Golf
Create your own clubs and golf course to engage the whole family, recommends Family-reunion-success. Build golf clubs by securing a heavy cardboard piece to the end of a long cardboard tube; use ping-pong balls or plastic golf balls, depending on the ages of the participants. Decorate the golf clubs if time and interest allow. Create a golf course using empty cans, milk jugs or paper cups either placed on their side or sunken into the grass. Remove can lids and duct tape them together to build tunnels. Sandboxes and filled inflatable kiddie pools can be course obstacles.
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