As the weather gets nicer, you want your kids to go outside and get some fresh air. Sometimes, though, it seems their fascination with Minecraft or their obsession with the latest Netflix series keeps them glued to the couch. It’s time to break these bad habits. When you get your backyard ready for summer and set up any of these games, you’ll have a hard time bringing them in at night.

1. Target Practice

Many outdoor games are focused on hitting some type of target. This could be something as easy as drawing a target on a piece of paper and having them hit it with water guns or Nerf guns, or you could purchase a set of lawn darts. 

If you’re up for something more creative, trying making these targets out of pool noodles and have the kids throw javelins made of noodles at them, or go really crazy by creating a slingshot area for water balloons.

2. Tossing Games

Tossing is an essential skill. In fact, your kids are probably being graded on it in gym class. Let them get a bit of practice at home with some backyard games. You can always start with the classic ring toss game. Inexpensive versions of this are available at almost any store once spring starts. 

Ladder golf and cornhole are also popular games. Adults seem to like these as much as the kids so they can be great to have when you want to host the perfect backyard party. You can either buy pre-made sets or follow these instructions for a DIY ladder golf set or a DIY cornhole set.

3. Oversized Classic Games

The latest trend we’re seeing is oversized versions of your favourite classic board games. One favourite is giant Jenga. That can be fun, but if you’re using real wood, watch out for little ones who might not be able to get out of the way. Using planks made of foam might be a better idea. You could also make your own oversized version of Yahtzee. Kids will have fun playing this and get some extra math practice at the same time.

4. Wet and Wild Games

Once the sun starts really heating things up, you can’t go wrong with games that will get everyone all wet. The water balloon toss is a classic party game, but you can also just throw water balloons at each other. The Bunch O Balloons adapter allows you to fill up 50 balloons at once. 

You could also play slip and slide bowling. If you already have a Slip and Slide, just put some empty bottles at the end and have kids slide into them. If not, just use a large sheet of plastic to create your own.

5. Frozen Games

If your kids really want to cool off, make some games using ice. For instance, with the frozen shirt game, you take some T-shirts, soak them in water, and put them in the freezer overnight. In the middle of a hot afternoon, give each kid a shirt – now a crumpled up ball of ice – and let them know that whoever can put the shirt on quickest is the winner. Kids must use body heat or the sun to melt the ice. 

Preschoolers and elementary kids might also enjoy playing frozen treasure hunt. Fill up a cake pan or other large container with water, then add a few small toys and freeze. Kids must use hammers to try to break the big block of ice and retrieve their toys. Obviously, both of these games require some overnight prep, so check the weather forecast for the perfect day.

6. Creative Play for Little Ones

Younger kids might not have the strength, dexterity, or patience to play some of the other games we’ve mentioned, but they can still have some fun outside. For instance, they’re sure to have fun going through this DIY kiddie car wash made from PVC pipes. 

You could use chalkboard paint on a part of the fence. Kids can draw pictures on their own or you can play Pictionary with them. Kids might also enjoy playing “mud restaurant.” Set up a small area where they can play with dirt and water to create recipes they’ll serve in their restaurant. Delicious.

7. Nighttime Games

Glow sticks make playing outside at night even more fun. Put a glow stick into a bottle of water to create bowling pins, then set them up and try to knock them down with a ball. It’s also easy to make a glow-in-the-dark ring toss game. If you live in a neighbourhood with open backyards and a lot of kids to play, schedule a glow-in-the-dark Capture the Flag game using these instructions.

There’s plenty of fun to be had just outside your door. Start playing these games with your kids, and you won’t have any trouble having them put their electronic devices away.

Photo credits: wash, bowling, jenga