Old-Fashioned Fun

If you are pulling your hair out over exponentially inflated screen times of your children due to the sheltering-in-place mandate, it is time to get outside for some old-fashioned fun. If your kid’s clothes have turned the color of your couch fuzz and enticing them away from the TV takes chocolate or money, there is rescue on the way. Try these backyard “blob busters” that will give your family an edge for living in the new norm.

DIY Kix Mini-Golf Course has featured a great outdoor mini-golf course using recycled cereal boxes, milk jugs and cardboard boxes. Visit their site to see the creative photos and how-to instructions, www.kixcereal.com/kix-cereal-outdoor-fun-backyard-mini-golf-course.
Hopscotch. Use crayons and decorate a huge hopscotch grid on your driveway. Your kids can decide on images from outer space, flower fields, ice cream dreams or under the sea for themed squares. Put down some bubble wrap for the “oh so satisfying pop” underfoot as kids take to the course.
Light in the Dark Tag. The good ole game of tag in the dark uses flashlights and helps get kids running around the yard in search of places to hide. Don’t forget to make a “safe” base to keep the game going.
Relays. There are endless ideas for relay racing from egg-and-spoon tours, to 3-legged sack jumping to crab walks down and burpees back. Relays are great exercise for the entire family.
Scavenger Hunt. Take items from the house and have mom or dad hide them around the yard. Send siblings out on a timed route to see who can find all the items on the list. You can switch things up by placing some items inside the house or use riddles that older kids must figure out to retrieve things.
Water Balloons. For sunnier days ahead, fill water balloons and throw on bathing suits for a water balloon relay toss or an all-out water war.