How to Provide the Best Summer Activities for Your Kids

I don’t know about you but I love to see kids involved in creative play and outdoor activities during the summer months out of school. And I hate to see kids on Ipads and phones during beautiful weather when they could be playing outside.

I read an article the other day that talked about the fact that kids are playing less and less outside today. It seems that due to screen time and video games, there has been a sharp decline in the amount of time kids spend outdoors. What a shame!

A study in Portugal documented the importance of outside play for children. Children exposed to sunlight, nature, and fresh air benefit from greater bone development, stronger immune systems, and physical activity. Outside play benefits not only physical but also emotional development.

Outside play affects children’s intellectual and socially interactive abilities as well.

During the summer it makes sense to think about activities that get our kids off of screens and involved in fun and play outside of the house so that they can enjoy the beautiful weather.

If you are feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of finding outdoor activities for your kids, here are some easy ideas that can sometimes work even if you live in an apartment and have a small porch. And all the more so if you have a great backyard.

Set Up a Swimming Pool

A simple swimming pool in the backyard can provide hours of outdoor fun. If your kids are very small you will have to watch them, but you can always bring a clean load of laundry outside to fold while you watch. You can also do some mending, peeling vegetables, or even climb in the pool with your kids!

For younger kids, here is a large practical pool that is easy for young children to climb in and out of. It fits 3-5 children or two adults. It inflates in 3 minutes using an electric pump and is BPA free.

There is also a 5% discount code that you can use at checkout.

If you are looking for fun for the entire family, here is a large sturdy pool with a frame. It takes more time to set up, but it is 12 feet long and comes with a pump to clean the water. It has a drain plug that connects to a garden hose, allowing you to direct the water away from your house when you drain the pool. This is a pool that can provide fun for your family and can easily fit 5 to 6 children or adults. There is lots of room, but it is only 30 inches high, so most children can safely stand in the pool.

If you are not quite ready to set up and maintain a home pool, you can still give your kids plenty of water fun by using this fun sprinkler pad. At 68 inches wide, there is plenty of room for several kids to play at a time. The pad is sturdy and durable and connects to a garden hose. You can even adjust the strength of the water flow.

Follow Safety Rules

Be sure to slather your kids with sunscreen and feel the water before you use it in your pool or in the sprinkler pad. Hoses left in the sun can cause water temperatures to rise to over 100 degrees and can cause scalding in children. Let the water run for several minutes before filling the pool or connecting it to the sprinkler pad. Also, for safety, keep your garden hose in the shade, away from direct sunlight.

Another great outdoor activity for kids is jumping on a caged trampoline. My kids loved jumping on the trampoline and were busy outdoors for hours. Make sure to have your kids adhere strictly to the following rules as many accidents can occur if kids are reckless on the trampoline.

Only children above the age of 5 should be allowed on the trampoline
Only allow one child on the trampoline at a time. Have the kids time each other for five-minute turns.
Supervise to make sure rules are followed
Do not allow gymnastics on the trampoline (such as somersaults or flips), as this can lead to accidents.

A trampoline is definitely a financial investment, however, if the above rules are followed, your kids can have hours of fun outdoors.

Here is a very sturdy well-made Zupapa trampoline that is built to last for years: The frame is hot dipped and coated through a galvanizing process that keeps it from rusting. The frame comes with a 10-year warranty and is TUV certified as opposed to just TUV tested. TUV certification is a comprehensive test of the chemical composition of all materials to ensure it’s safety.

Here is a slightly less expensive alternative that is also TUV certified by Exacme:

It has 6W legs which make the trampoline very sturdy! The frame is rust resistant galvanized steel and weighs 375 pounds.

Outside Activities with Toys

Kids also love using walkie-talkies and this can be a great outdoor activity. This set comes with four walkie-talkies. These units are easy to use and have good sound quality with adjustable volume. Kids can use these outside, during an excursion to the park and on a camping trip. They have a long 3KM range of sound in open areas. Your kids will love calling each other:

Here is another great outdoor activity for parents and children alike:

This inflatable ring toss comes with five inflatable ringtoss bases. The bases are 15″ high and provide hours of fun for both adults and children. It is also a great birthday party activity. The inflatable bases float, so they can be used in the pool as well. The challenges of getting the neon rings on the base, hone children’s fine motor skills and improves dexterity.

These are just some of the many outdoor activities that your children can benefit from this summer. Let your kids know that summer passes by very quickly and you want them to take advantage of the benefits of playing outside. There are enough cold and rainy days during the year. Get your kids outside and they will experience all of the benefits above. Have a great summer and enjoy the sun!

Have a great outdoor activity for kids? Leave it in the comments below

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