Exceeding Expectations through Extraordinary Landscapes

Fun Outdoor Games for Summer

It’s officially summer, and almost everyone is headed outside. With family picnics, neighborhood BBQs and friendly backyard gatherings, it seems as though all activities planned for the next few weeks will be enjoyed outdoors. Thankfully, there is no need to spend a lot of money or waste time on the Internet searching for outdoor games your kids can play. We have some great ideas for you right here!<

Twister

If you have cans of colored spray paint and a large, level yard, then get ready to twist! Choose four distinct colors, such as green, red, yellow and blue. In a straight line, spray five red circles right onto the grass, then continue with each color until you have twenty circles of spray paint in four straight lines. On index cards, make a left hand, right hand, left foot and right foot card for each color, toss the cards into a jar, appoint someone to pick a card and watch the kids twist away!

Giant Falling Tower

This game is like Jenga, but on a larger (louder) scale. For the pieces, take six individual eight-foot 2x4s (found at your local hardware store for a low price). Measure and cut each 2×4 into 10 ½” pieces. Many stores will make the cuts for you. Stack the pieces on a table just like Jenga, and take turns pulling one piece form the stack and placing it on top. Whoever topples the game loses and has to restack. Just be sure to hop out of the way before it falls!

Just Add Water…

Oh, the fun you can have with a $1 bag full of balloons and your kitchen faucet! Here are just a few of our favorite games to play with water balloons:

  • Water Balloon Dodgeball – pretty self-explanatory, just don’t aim for players’ faces!
  • Water Balloon Toss – pick a partner and start tossing to each other while you’re close. Move back one step each catch until someone misses.
  • Water Balloon Volleyball – have 2 teams of 2 people holding a towel between them. Use the towel to catch and throw a water balloon over the net.
  • “Hot” Balloon – just like hot potato, but with a water balloon.
  • Musical Water Balloons – similar to the chair game, but you sit on water balloons on the ground!

… or Food!

If you want to raise the level of insanity (and fun), a hot day is a perfect day for a food fight! Lay down a tarp and let the kids go at it with whipped cream, pudding or Jello. Easy clean-up… just spray them down with the hose afterwards! It’s pretty much guaranteed you’ll not only be the coolest parent on the block, but your kids will have a cherished memory… especially if you join in!

If you decide to plan a bigger project to keep your kids having fun this summer, contact us! We’d be happy to help answer any questions you may have, as well as recommend hardscape or landscape solutions to keep the little ones happy!