Video games and television lure many children away from healthy outdoor activities and into a sedentary lifestyle. That leaves your pool empty and your backyard quiet except for the occasional chirping of birds. However, it doesn't take much to get kids back outside. With a little planning and some fun outdoor games and activities, your kids will be burning calories and exercising those little muscles in no time.
Pool Games
Make pool time more attractive to your children by suggesting fun games. Try diving for dollars, with you tossing coins into the pool and calling out a random dollar amount for kids to bring back to the surface and into a treasure chest. Challenge their math skills by instructing them to find $1.36 or 22 cents. The amount doesn't matter -- it's the fun of diving with goggles and the promise of a filled treasure chest that appeals to kids. You can also buy a pool volleyball net or a pool basketball net to turn your pool into a tournament mecca.
Backyard Water Games
Let the water fun continue out of the pool. Try a beach ball blast, with two teams using water to push a beach ball over their opponent's goal line. Designate two end zones, two teams and arm each team with super soakers. Blow the whistle and watch your kids battle to squirt the ball to the other guy's goal. You can also set up a game of limbo using a garden hose. Shoot a steady stream across the backyard and challenge your kids to wiggle under it without getting wet. Turn limbo into water olympics with your kids attempting to jump over the water stream. Make them wear water shoes to prevent slipping.
Classic Outdoor Games
Certain games are called classics for a reason: They're always fun. Your kids may turn up their noses at first, but they'll have a great time once they're playing. Try setting up a game of horseshoes, badminton, lawn bowling or croquet. Name the games after your kids' favorite characters to make it more appealing, like Harry Potter Horseshoes or Luigi Lawn Bowling. Or organize the neighborhood gang for larger activities. Try a kickball tournament, an obstacle course or picnic-style games such as three-legged races, water-balloon tosses and egg races to see who can run back and forth without breaking an egg on a spoon.
Family Activities
Get the whole family involved in outdoor activities. Plant a family vegetable garden. Be sure to allow your kids to dig in the dirt and drop in the seeds. Go on a picnic. Skip the fast food and take a real dinner, lunch or even breakfast to the park or beach. Hop on your bikes and take a family tour of the neighborhood. Remember to pack water bottles for everyone. Equip your family with binoculars and bird books and head for the woods to do a little bird watching. Or borrow a school telescope and conduct a family stargazing night in the backyard. Celebrate the experience with marshmallow roasting or a midnight snack.
Member Comments