Entertaining Preschoolers to Tweens
Younger kids aren’t that hard to please; as long as you have food, beverages, and several games, you can keep them entertained for hours.
For games, kids will like group activities such Frisbee, soccer, or even skipping rope. Old-fashioned games of hide-and-seek or tag are games that children of all ages will enjoy. The added benefit of the physical activity will run of some of the abundant energy children possess. And by participating yourself you can fit in your own exercise for the day too.
Outdoor crafts are also perfect for kids of all ages. Provide the materials and general instructions and see the different masterpieces that will be created. When making crafts keep in mind that the instructions are more of a starting point. Let kids use their imagination to make it all their own. You will be pleased with the results when fewer parameters are put on a child’s imagination when creating artwork or other hands-on crafts.
As far as food goes, if your little ones are going to be very active, you should prepare a picnic that consists of all finger foods. Some easy finger foods include: cheese and crackers, vegetable sticks, fruits, deli meats, and hard-boiled eggs. Let the kids come and go as they please and have a snack here and there as they need it. If you are a grill and an adult available to operate it you can also offer kid favorites such as hotdogs and toasted marshmallows. Don’t forget to finish out your spread with soft drinks or juice, chips, plastic cutlery, dishes, and plenty of napkins. Paper plates are practical but if you use them a lot they are an added expense – you can pick up a plastic picnic set that is easy to wash and can be used over and over throughout the summer.
And remember as younger kids require more supervision, you should expect to be a participant in all the activities.
Entertaining Teenagers
Older children on the other hand may require a little more effort to keep entertained. Teenagers can be hard to please because they are at the age where they easily lose interest in certain activities. If your teenager will be spending their summer break at home, you may want to familiarize yourself with some popular backyard activities designed with teenagers in mind. This will not only give you ideas for family friendly backyard activities, but it may also help to ensure that your teenager is outside, instead of spending their summer indoors.
If you have a pool in your backyard, your teen may already be set for the whole summer. Although many teens get bored with some activities, there is just something unique about a swimming pool. In fact, if given the opportunity, many teenagers would spend their entire summer break in their swimming pool. If you don’t have a swimming pool already, you may want to examine the kiddie pools that are available. Kiddie pools are a great and safe way for teens to say cool in the summer. Although not all teens will want to use them, many will enjoy wading in a kiddie pool, especially with their friends. While some teenagers are experienced swimmers, not all are. If your teenager will be spending their summer break alone, you may want to establish some pool rules, especially if they plan to invite friends over. These rules will help to ensure that everyone stays safe while swimming.
If a swimming pool is not an option, you may want to focus on other fun, outdoor water activities. Many teens enjoy playing with water balloons or water guns. These water activities are a great way to cool off, but they are also fun to play with others. Whether your teen is playing with their siblings or their friends, it is safe to assume that everyone will have a fun and cool time.
Fun, but dry, outdoor games may include horseshoes, basketball, football, soccer, kickball, baseball, or volleyball. As with most games, the games that your child will be able to participate will depend on if they are playing by themselves or with someone else. For those playing alone, basketball is an idea. Teens playing their siblings or friends will not have a shortage of games to choose from. In fact, most backyard games are designed with two or more players in mind.
While it is important to focus on backyard activities, you also need to think about what your child will eat. If they will be spending the majority of their time outside, you may want to think about allowing them to eat in the backyard. If your teen will be alone or with their friends, you may want to suggest a backyard picnic. A few drinks, sandwiches, or snacks can make for an easy and safe backyard meal.