It's Time to Play Outside

Whether you’re thinking activities, food, or family time, having fun outside doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are a few ideas that involve common household items and ingredients — things that won’t take all day to cook or organize. You’ll want more time to bask in the summer fun before it’s gone!

Barbecue Tasting

Nothing says “outdoors” or “summer” more than barbecue. So why not spice up an outdoor gathering with a “specialty” sauce tasting? This could add a little kick to the picnic table and give friends and family something tasty to dish about.

Here’s how to organize it: Before friends come over, use this super basic barbecue recipe to create three or four batches of different sauces. Try a batch with lots of garlic, one with a little honey, or one with hot sauce and herbs. Write down each ‘recipe’ in a spiral bound notebook so you can keep tabs on each batch.

Serve each sauce and a variety of small plates (French fries, grilled veggies, grilled steak tips, and chicken fingers) in a dip platter. Once everyone has voted on their favorite sauce, announce the favorite and give it a personalized name. Your friends will be clamoring for you to bring over your “gourmet” batch when they grill out!

Offer an activity that’s both a return to childhood for adults and something for the whole family: a backyard nature hunt. First, create a list of ten to twelve common backyard items — things like a smooth stone, a dandelion, a maple leaf, or a four-leaf clover. Then have the group divide into teams however they wish, and give each team a brown paper bag. Send each team out to the yard to collect each item from the list. Add “bonus items” (toys or other small objects) around the yard beforehand and alert the teams to look for these little surprises. When all of the teams are done hunting, re-group and compare the items everyone has found.

This is an inexpensive, simple, and engaging activity for all ages and skills. First, make certain you have three or four Frisbees ^®, small notepads, and pencils (for keeping score). Then design a six to nine-hole Frisbee ^® golf course in your backyard or neighborhood. Create copies of the “hole” list and hand them out to your friends and family.

Then let the fun begin! Individuals will throw the Frisbees ^® with a goal of hitting each of the “holes” in the fewest number of throws. “Holes” can be anything: hitting a tree, shrub or trash can. If you need more space move to the neighborhood park and designate “holes” as street signs, park benches and playground equipment.

You could also designate holes with brightly colored beach towels or baskets, the object being to land the Frisbee on or in these items for your score. For safety, make sure to stay away from busy streets and neighbors’ gardens — unless they are ok with their kids’ sandbox acting as the ninth hole!
Frisbee® is a registered trademark of Wham-O, Inc.

Plush Playground
If you’re considering adding a play structure to your backyard, try building a plush, oversized playground on your own. Work with what nature offers you, centering the piece around a large tree in your yard. Then, with a few simple materials and a bit of elbow grease, you can construct a playground that is safe, creative and sure to be the biggest hit on the block.

MATERIALS
Anti-fatigue mats
2’x4’ treated lumber
Hammer and heavy-duty nails, or electric nail gun
Indoor/outdoor carpeting
Heavy-duty staple gun
Trex® composite decking panels, available at Lowe’s

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Clear your lawn space, then lay the fatigue mats down in four layers. Use the mats’ special interlocking design to attach the pieces into a single firm foundation.
2. Outline the platform with 2’x4’ treated lumber, trimming as needed and nailing into place with a hammer and heavy-duty nails, or an electric nail gun.
3. Drape the carpeting over the entire piece, pulling taut at the edges and stapling in place with your staple gun along the wooden trim.
4. Complete your piece by nailing the decking panels on top of the lumber along the perimeter of the playground.

Tip: Topping your playground with decking panels lends a clean, polished look and keeps little hands and feet splinter-free.