Seasonal & Holidays
Easy Ways To Get Your Kids Playing Outside
From badminton sets and bubble machines to finger paint and Slip 'N Slides, these toys are sure to make things fun.
With schools closed and after-school activities postponed indefinitely, kids are spending more time at home than ever before. If yours are also getting more screen time than ever before, that's OK. These are trying times, and parents are making good use of all the distractions they can.
Fortunately, the weather is getting nicer in many parts of the country, which means it's easier to get the kids to enjoy some recreational time outside. To help make fresh air and sunshine as enticing as a tablet or "Frozen 2," we've rounded up some tips, toys and activities.
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Make the most of your space.
You don't need a huge yard for kids to roam about, but if you're able to clear out a portion of outdoor space for them to play, it can make a big difference. To make the most of the space you do have, we recommend rotating different games and activities that can be set up quickly outdoors and easily stored when playtime is done.
AmazonBasics makes a complete badminton and volleyball set that can be put up and taken down in just a few minutes. The net, poles, racquets, birdies and ball all fit within a double carrying case — so when our quarantine days are over, you can bring the game to the beach, park and beyond.
If you do have space to work with and a setup that will accommodate it, set up a swing. Royal Oak's giant saucer swing is an economical alternative to building a whole outdoor play set, and it'll keep your kids (and you) entertained for hours on end.
The Royal Oak flying saucer swing can be hung from a sturdy tree branch or an existing swing set. With supervision, it can be used by multiple kids at once and supports up to 700 pounds.
Let your kids unleash their creativity (and don't worry about the mess)!
You probably don't want your kids flinging paint or getting covered with chalk indoors, but there's no reason not to let them make a mess outside. Set up an easel (like the one pictured below from Art Alternatives), nab some washable finger paint from Crayola and let the kiddos channel their inner Picasso.
If your kids have safe access to a driveway or sidewalk, give them some chalk and let them create a masterpiece. Play Day makes a 96-piece set with 16 unique colors.
Bust out the bubbles!
A good bubble wand is the gift that keeps on giving. South Beach Bubbles has a 4-pack of wands that allow you to create "unimaginably giant bubbles."
They work best with a bubble solution such as this one from WOWmazing (sold separately), but you can also create your own solution with water, dish soap and corn starch, sugar or glycerine.
For younger kids and an even more-user-friendly design, consider a bubble machine. Kidzlane makes a durable bubble blower that's simple to operate and creates up to 500 bubbles per minute.
When it doubt, just add water.
It won't be long before the weather is nice enough to bust out the water toys. With proper adult supervision, you really can't beat a sunny afternoon spent on a Slip 'N Slide or an early evening water balloon fight with the whole family.
Wham-O makes a double rider Slip 'N Slide (pictured below) so the kids can race.
If you're going to have a water balloon fight, do your kids (and yourself) a favor and get a Bunch O Balloons gadget. It connects to your faucet or hose nozzle and allows you to fill and tie 100 water balloons simultaneously in less than 60 seconds.
The good thing about any outdoor activity is that it gives your kids a chance to unplug and just play. And when you see how much fun they're having, you'll probably want to join in, too.
Related Links:
- 10 Fun Things Kids And Families Can Do At Home
- Toys And Games That Will Make Kids Put Down The Tablet
- Staying In? Play These New Classic Games With The Whole Family
- How To Make Playtime More Educational For Your Children
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