Summer is quick for me. I have one child in school, and we try to rest all summer. My main goal is to lose weight this summer and enjoy my own backyard. I may escape to a beach this Summer, but I will be home enjoying the mortgage I pay for. If you don’t have the funds this Summer and want to enjoy your own backyard here are a few fun activities to do in your own backyard this summer.
Slip and slide
Get this one and if your yard isn’t that big you can always take it to park or rent an airbnb for a day. Find a yard and have fun. This is also a great way to get some great exercise in. Running back and forth across the slippery surface is a great way to get your heart pumping and adrenaline going. There’s something about hurling yourself down a slippery slope that always brings out the smiles and laughter of everyone looking on. Bonus if you can get someone to video it and capture the photos.
Fire up the grill
Summer screams BBQ, but don’t just fire up the grill. Have a theme night and cook that on the grill,l bonus points if you can get the teens involved. Someone told me I could cook pizza on this type of grill. I’ll be trying it out this summer because I have always wanted to buy the pizza grill, but I don’t have to if this turns out good. Some great themes I’ve done….
- Backyard Carnival: This is sure to be a hit with the kids! Set up carnival games like bean bag toss or ring toss. Decorate with colorful streamers and balloons. Serve up hot dogs, popcorn, and cotton candy for a true carnival experience.
- Hawaiian Luau: Transform your backyard into a tropical paradise with tiki torches, palm trees, and lots of fun Hawaiian-themed decor. Don’t forget the traditional Hawaiian food to really make it a hit!
S’mores around the fire
Wait til it gets cooler, but fire up the fire pit and make s’mores this summer. All you need are some graham crackers, chocolate bars, and marshmallows. Simply place a marshmallow on a stick and hold it over the flames until it’s nice and toasty. Then, sandwich it between two graham crackers with a piece of chocolate. And that’s it! In just minutes, you’ll have a classic summer treat that’s sure to keep the kids happy! You can also switch up your s’mores to other cookies. Here are some great recipes.
Backyard movie night
After a long day of fun in the sun, there’s nothing better than settling down for a family movie night. And there’s no need to go to the theater when you can bring the big screen right to your backyard! Just hang a white sheet on a fence or wall, set up a projector, and get ready to relax in the great outdoors. Don’t forget the comfy pillows and blankets to keep everyone cozy. And since you’ll be outside, be sure to have bug spray and citronella candles on hand to keep the bugs at bay. With a little planning, you can turn your backyard into the perfect summertime cinema. So grab some popcorn and enjoy! Here is a great blog post on how to set it up on a budget.
Unwind with cocktails
Or if you are like me and you don’t drink do mocktails. Invite your friends over for a backyard unwind with drinks. You can do a small charcuterie board for fun, but make it fun. Y’all can discuss a book, current issues, those kids, or it can even be a work thing where everyone brings their computer and does some planning for the next week. You can even do a backyard cookbook club!
As always, you can start a garden or drink your coffee in the backyard. Enjoy where you live more and create a space just for you.
