6 Fun Backyard Activities for the Whole Family

Spring is just a couple of months away now and with that comes all the backyard fun. Getting outdoors with the family is not only a great way to enjoy the warmer weather when it arrives; it can provide you with the opportunity to exercise, bond, and share some laughs. If you want to shake things up and add some fun to the backyard this year, here are six activities the whole family can take part in.

Oversized Board Games Are All the Rage

Board games are a wonderful activity for families, but why not take them outdoors in an oversized format? You can find all kinds of classics that are made extra-large for backyard play. Game parts and components may be wooden, plastic or metal so they hold up to the conditions.

Some of the more popular games to play include:

• Jenga
• Connect 4
• Chess
• Checkers
• Candy Land
• Tic Tac Toe

If you’re not into board games but still like the idea of a family-style game then you can check out options such as bowling, lawn darts, horseshoes, ring toss and yard dice.

Brush Up on Your Baseball Skills

The backyard is also the perfect place to brush up on your baseball skills, in particular pitching and catching. You can find pitching targets with multiple holes that will allow kids and adults to work on their accuracy. If you want something a bit more basic, a simple game of catch is perfect and gives everyone a chance to work in their baseball mitts.

Depending on the space you have available in your backyard, you could even set up a diamond and play a game of ball.

Bring Water into the Mix

As the weather heats up and summer approaches, you may want to incorporate water into your backyard family activities. This could mean you install a small above-ground pool, or something a little more low-key such as a slip and slide, an inflatable children’s pool, a fun sprinkler or any other water-based activities. 

If you’re looking for something really easy that will cool everyone off, nothing beats a good old fashioned water balloon toss game.

The Ultimate Scavenger Hunt

Sometimes, kids just need a way to stay busy and entertained and a backyard scavenger hunt can be a fabulous activity. This one takes a bit of planning on your part, as you’ll need to make a list of items they need to find and potentially hide items in the yard. You can find some great inspiration and ideas for backyard scavenger hunt items online. You can even find pre-made lists that you can print for yourself and then reuse.

It’s Time to Bust Out the Bubbles

Young kids just can’t get enough of bubbles so why hold back? Be sure to stock up on all the bubble making essentials so you can bring them out whenever the mood strikes. You can purchase bubble wands in different shapes and sizes, including oversized jumbo wands that the kids will love. Just be sure you also have plenty of bubble solution on hand.

There are also automated bubble makers that will continuously make bubbles, which can be fun for the kids to run through.

Cap Off the Day with Toasting Marshmallows

For the family who enjoys camping, you can create that kind of atmosphere in your yard with a fire pit. Depending on the style you choose, you can then engage in fun campfire activities like roasting marshmallows and telling scary ghost stories.

Each of these activities will transform outdoor time into some of the funniest and most memorable times the family spends together.