9 Outdoor Ways to Play this Summer

Summer is winding to an end, but that doesn’t mean the fun has to end. If you are trying to figure out some games or outdoor fun for kids this summer, check out some of these great ideas. We added two new ways to have fun in our backyard this summer with Sport Chalet.

I received a complimentary tether-ball set and backyard pool samples. All opinions are my own. 

Have a “read off.” Take your kids out in the fresh air, sit them in the shade, provide them with snacks and drinks, and tell them to read at least three books while you’re outside. If they are older kids, designate a number of chapters to read. This also keeps them ready for school even when they’re on break.

Play yard games. Tag, Duck, Duck, Goose, Red Rover, and more are all classics that kids can still enjoy today. And you know what? You can enjoy them, too!

Create an obstacle course and have kids complete it. They can do this on their bikes, skateboards, or just with their own two feet. Maybe mix it up and have them use bikes and their feet for an extra challenge?

Have a picnic! It’s simple, it’s fun, and it is a great way to get your kids to hang out with you for lunch. You can think of elaborate foods to make and take the kids somewhere exciting to host the picnic. Bring along friends and family and make it a lunch event for everyone to enjoy.

Host a Tetherball Championship. Compete in a series of three games, or take turns playing between a group to find out who the champion will be.

My boys could spend hours playing Tetherball. It’s one of their favorite playground picks at school, so they were beyond excited for us to add a tetherball pole to my moms big backyard to play whenever they go over to visit. The pole was easy to install, though it does take some man power and a bit of time. You dig a hole a foot deep and 10″ around. Fill it with concrete and then add the included pipe to the hole before the concrete dries. Be sure to grab a level, also, and hold it beside the post inside the tube so your pole is nice and straight as the cement hardens. Then, just add on the second half of the pole and the tetherball and your are ready to play!

Help your kids set up a lemonade stand. They can sell flavored lemonades and snacks with the regular lemonade. Make it especially fun and donate all the funds to a local animal shelter or nursing home. This will show your kids what it means to give back to those in need.

Watch an outdoor movie. Create the whole movie theater set up with chairs, popcorn, fountain drinks, and all. Do it at night for a better movie theater environment and invite people over so that your kids can have fun watching a movie with friends, and so can you!

Catch fireflies. Place them in a mason jar and watch them glow, then release them back into nature. Don’t have any around? Play flashlight firefly where your kids chase each other in the evening using flashlights in short bursts like fireflies do with their “bulbs.”

Cool off in a backyard swimming pool. All kids love kiddie pools, even as they move into their tweens. Despite their small size, if you get a pool with a hose connection that sprinkles and splashes, they’ll have a great time.

My boys head out and play in the pool every.single.day! It’s over 100 degrees here in Phoenix so as soon as the sun crests over the top of our house and we get a bit of shade in the backyard, my boys are out there splashing and playing and having a great time. They love the Kid’s Dinosaur Play Swim Center pool in particular as it has a ball hoop and several areas that spray and a slide that is great for their size. It’s a large enough kiddie pool that all four of my boys can play at the same time.

If your itching to get your kids outdoor and having fun on there last few weeks of summer break, visit Sport Chalet to find lots of great outdoor activities and sports equipment to keep them smiling.