Backyard Activities to Keep Kids Busy This Summer

When the summer months come, the kids will be out of school and around the house. Of course, you do not want your little ones to spend all their time indoors. After all, kids may become restless and end up causing lots of calamity inside the house. Make sure there is always something fun for the kids to do outside.

12 Backyard Activities for Your Kids this Summer

There are several inexpensive DIY activities that you can create to keep the kids busy in the backyard. Here are 12 backyard activities that may keep your kids engaged during the summer.

1. Hide and seek
   Hide and seek is a classic game that anyone can play with no set-up time and no money to spend. The kids can take turns searching for each other, and the activity will keep your kids busy for anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour.
   
   To keep the game interesting, the kids can keep score and see how they are able to tag the other kids. Hide and seek is a game that is ideal for young kids as well.
2. Beach ball bowling
   The chances are that you already have a beach ball in the house. All you need are some empty bottles, and you are ready to set up a bowling alley in the backyard. Set up anywhere from five to ten empty bottles about 10 to 20 feet away. The kids can get a pen and pencil and keep score to see who can get the most points in the bowling game.
3. Scavenger hunt
   Kids love a scavenger hunt. You can easily set up a scavenger hunt by creating a list that each child needs to find and bring back to you. Here is a list of ideas that you can use in the game:
   - Something red
   - Something shaped like a circle
   - Something green
   - Something with words on it
   - Something that is made of wood
   - Something that is larger than their hands
4. Frisbee golf
   All you need for frisbee golf is a frisbee and a basket. The kids can place the basket 5-10 feet away and take turns trying to toss the frisbee in the basket. Each time the child misses, they will attempt another throw from where the frisbee landed. The kids can have 10 rounds and keep score.
5. Building a garden
   If you have some extra room in your backyard, then the kids can make some space to create a garden. A garden is an excellent way for the kids to create a long-term project that can teach them the value of patience. All you need are some vegetable seeds that you can get at a home and garden store. After that, your kids can use the family shovel and rake to get started. Each day, the kids can water the garden and watch their vegetable plants grow.
6. Water balloon toss
   Here is a game that is lots of fun and easy to set up. All you need are a couple of balloons, a large piece of cardboard, and a large piece of foam core. Paste the cardboard on the form core. Now, you will want to cut out three holes that can fit the water balloons. From there, lean the board against a wall or a fence. The kids can stand anywhere from five to 10 feet away and attempt to throw the water balloon through the holes. Each hole can have different scores.
7. Pool noodle obstacle course
   Here is an activity that is easy to set up and relatively inexpensive to create. All you need are about five to ten pool noodles. You can generally get pool noodles for about $1 each at your local dollar store. You can set up the pool noodles into arches, circles, and other shapes in the backyard. The kids will then try to run through the obstacle course. The kids can even use a stopwatch to see who can complete the course the fastest.
8. Backyard camping
   If you have camping equipment, then the kids can go backyard camping. The kids can spend some time setting up a tent. Once the kids have their tent set-up, they can roast marshmallows in a campfire (under your supervision). A backyard camping adventure can be fun for kids looking for an evening activity.
9. Kickball croquet
   Create a kickball croquet game by using hula hoops. Cut the hula hoops in half and anchor each half into the ground all around the yard. The kids then try to maneuver the course by kicking the ball through each hoop.
10. Ring toss
    One fun way to pass the time is to create a ring toss game. All you need to make the game are a couple of thin stakes of wood or plastic and some plastic lids. Cut out the middle of the lids, so you create some rings. Then hammer the stakes to the ground. The kids stand back about five to ten feet from the planks and attempt to toss the rings onto the planks. The kids can keep score and see how they can get the most points.
11. Backyard field hockey
    For this game, all you need are pool noodles for each kid, balloons, and laundry baskets. In the game, the kids will try to use the pool noodles to knock the balloon into a laundry basket. The kids can form teams and keep score.
12. Backyard marble race
    If your kids like to play with marbles, then a backyard marble race will provide hours of fun. The kids can create their own “racetracks” with wood planks, toy car tracks, and other materials. The kids will have fun seeing who can get their marble to finish first.

Keep the kids busy during the summer months!

As you can see, there are several great backyard activities that your kids may enjoy for little money. Be sure to try out a few different games to see which ones your kids enjoy the most.