If you’re looking for ways to “unplug” your kids so they can enjoy what is left of the summer, you may want to take a page from your own childhood. You remember – before they invented the remote and we played tennis on a court, not in the living room...
There are lots of great outdoor games that are fun for barbeques and parties, some of which can be taken indoors if the thermometer tops 100˚. Games like lawn darts, Frisbee, volleyball, tetherball, croquet, badminton, beanbag toss and horseshoes are fun for the whole family. These game sets are available online and in local sporting goods stores and range in price from $39 to $83. The more flexible in the group can Hula-hoop or jump rope inside or outside, and both are available at your local discount stores. And some local parks have tennis courts and shuffleboard available, as well as Frisbee golf Tennis rackets and Frisbees can often be found at garage sales for a nominal price.
Let’s not forget the swim party where Marco Polo reigns supreme. Don’t forget your towels, beach ball and the waterproof sunscreen. Neighborhood water fights with balloons or water guns can be great fun for all and quench the parched lawn at the same time. And there is always dodgeball, kick the cockroach (a can, pillow, rolled socks or ball can be used), hopscotch, flag football, sack races, and playing tag in the sprinkler. Each requires few props and can be enjoyed by boys and girls alike.
For the Picasso in your family, provide paper and tempera or watercolor paints and an old shirt to paint in and let the muse guide them. Creating chalk murals on the drive and sidewalk take on new dimensions with the colors and sizes of chalk, which are all available at your local craft and hobby store.
For those days that are too hot to handle, bring everyone in for a game of Monopoly, darts, Scrabble, Candy Land or Operation, depending on the ages of your participants. Card games were always a big hit at my house. We hid in the basement one summer when it was 105-114 degrees for weeks and played War and Crazy Eights until a cold front came in and the temperatures dropped into the 90’s. Old Maid and Go Fish are good games for all ages and can be played with specialty decks or a regular deck of cards.
Some old-fashioned games that are still fun to play are jacks, tic-tac-toe and marbles. The scavenger hunt and charade games are a huge hit with all ages. Hide-and-seek can be played outdoors or inside, but make sure the boundaries are understood and the little ones have an equal chance of winning.
If your family is musically inclined, pick up some instruments and create a marching band. Kazoos, harmonicas and plastic horns can be purchased at the discount store. Often, used instruments like drums, bongos, guitars, flutes, and maracas can be found at local yard sales. Don’t forget the bells and kids’ xylophones for added range to the orchestra.
And for the budding thespians in your life, have them write and perform a play for the whole family or neighborhood. All you need is a little imagination to create games without remotes.
|
