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Arlene Isenburg
The summer might be drawing to a close, but there’s still plenty of time to get outside with the family. And having fun doesn’t require breaking the bank. Below are some fun and affordable outdoor activities your family can enjoy together.
Tag is a classic game that kids have been playing for generations. But tag isn’t the same old tag from when we were kids. It has ramped up quite a bit—with lasers! This laser tag game can tag people up to 300 feet away and allows you to play in the dark. It only requires AAA batteries and can also be played inside on rainy days. And since there’s no running involved, parents and even grandparents can play.
https://www.target.com/p/laser-x-two-player-revolution-blaster-laser-tag-gaming-set/-/A-79391383
No one ever said fun couldn’t also be educational. The best way to teach your children about space and astronomy is by making it interactive with a telescope like this. It’s one thing to learn about stars and planets in textbooks, but it’s another thing to actually see them up close. We may not be able to touch the stars, but we can look at them with 150x magnification!
Amazon.com : Telescope for Kids &Adults &Beginners, 70mm Aperture 300mm AZ Mount with Adjustable Tripod and Fully Multi-Coated Optics, Portable Astronomy Refractor Telescope, Wireless Remote : Camera & Photo
And on days when you just want to cuddle up and watch a movie with the family, why not watch outside? This foldable projection screen is 120 inches and was voted best budget screen by Popular Mechanics. It’s one piece and lightweight, so you can fold it up, carry it in a backpack and store it without taking up any room. It’s also wrinkle free and easy to clean!
Amazon.com: Mdbebbron 120 inch Projection Screen 16:9 HD Foldable Anti-Crease Portable Projector Movies Screen for Home Theater Outdoor Indoor Support Double Sided Projection: Electronics
Another great outdoor family activity is camping. But you don’t have to drive for hours and go to a campground to get in on the fun. All you need is a yard and a tent like this one. Just make sure you get one big enough for the number of people in your family, so you’re not too cramped. Add a fire and some s’mores, and it’s like you’re in the woods!
Let’s be honest, who doesn’t love to bounce? Trampolines like this come in a variety of sizes and styles and even have safety netting. You can throw in balls for a ball pit, add water or make a fort. A trampoline is fun for the whole family! Seriously, even the dog will enjoy it. But it’s not just fun. A NASA study recently found that rebounding exercise is nearly 70% more beneficial than running. So you can burn off those s’mores you ate while camping.
And if mom and dad just want to relax and supervise from a more comfortable seat, consider a sandbox. Young kids love playing in sandboxes, but many parents don’t like communal ones. So why not get your own? This affordable sandbox is small enough not to take up a lot of space in your yard but big enough for your kids to enjoy. Add a few construction vehicles and beach tools, and your little ones will be set for hours.
https://www.target.com/p/little-tikes-turtle-sandbox-green/-/A-54182143
But you don’t have to spend money to have fun outside with your family. You can:
- Organize “Family Olympics” --- USA! USA!
- Go for a walk/bike ride around the neighborhood
- Start a family garden
- Have a water balloon or squirt gunfight
- Have a picnic in the park
- Got for a scenic hike
- Have a scavenger hunt
- Set up a lemonade stand and donate the proceeds to a charity of your child’s choosing
Quality time doesn’t have to be expensive. As long as you’re having fun and making memories with your family, that’s what’s important. Enjoy the rest of the summer!
