The talented Mums of Childhood 101 put their heads together to bring you this slideshow of 24 great ideas for family fun in the backyard. We’re hoping that you will find inspiration to spend time outdoors as a family this weekend!
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Making cubbies
http://childhood101.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/triciaaprilslide1.jpgMaking cubby houses out of things from our backyard is one of our favourite activities. This one was made by tying banana leaves onto a saw horse. ~ Tricia, littleecofootprints.com
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Take inspiration from nature
http://childhood101.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/creek_bed.jpgEncourage wildlife to your backyard by creating a more natural space. Plant species native to your area, and consider adding a pond or creek bed. ~Cath, squigglemum.com
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Getting muddy
http://childhood101.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/IMG_0616.jpegIn winter, let children get up close and personal with mud. And then put them in a warm bath to wash it all off. ~Sarah, oeschanddoots.blogspot.com
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Swinging good fun
http://childhood101.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/swing.jpgSwinging is such a simple pleasure and loved by all kids, lil and BIG. ~Kate, picklebums.com
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Moving about
http://childhood101.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/IMG_1042.jpegWhy not practice somersaults (handstands, hopping, spinning, balancing on one foot) on your lawn? ~Sarah, oeschanddoots.blogspot.com
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Add a touch of magic
http://childhood101.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/hanging_treasures-butterfly_strings.jpgNo matter how big or small your backyard, it’s easy to add a touch of magic! Try hanging treasures from trees, adding glass pebbles to garden beds, creating homes for tiny visitors, or sprinkling a little glitter! ~ Cath, squigglemum.com
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Summer fun
http://childhood101.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/triciaaprilslide2.jpgBobbing for apples is a fun way to cool off on a hot day. ~Tricia, littleecofootprints.com
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Why not grow your own vege?
http://childhood101.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/corn.jpgVegetables can easily be grown in tubs or amongst other plants and getting children involved in the growing inspires them to give eating them a go! ~ Christie, childhood101.com
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Sandpit play
http://childhood101.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/sandpit_muski21.jpgA sandpit provides for all sorts of imaginary and physical play. For small outdoor spaces a clam shell style sandpit is a great way to play. ~ Kate, picklebums.com
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Outdoor kitchen = hours of fun!
http://childhood101.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/dirt_kitchen.jpgKids will “cook” for hours in an outdoor 'kitchen.' Give them a few small pots and pans, and they will find all the ingredients they need outside. ~ Cath, squigglemum.com
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The right tools for the job
http://childhood101.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/tools.jpgSmall scale tools make a difference. We have a little broom and watering can and we're about to add a mini rake and wheelbarrow to the collection. Children love helping when their tools are scaled for their bodies. ~ Sarah, oeschanddoots.blogspot.com
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Boat racing
http://childhood101.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/boat_racing.jpgSet your children the challenge of making a boat that floats from recycled materials and then test them in a tub, paddle pool or puddle. ~ Kate, picklebums.com
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Family performances
http://childhood101.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/IMG_1757.jpegDo you have an area that could be used as a stage? A deck, patio, verandah or porch would be perfect for your little performer. Here I was treated to an impromptu performance of Puff the Magic Dragon. ~ Sarah, oeschanddoots.blogspot.com
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Take the indoors out
http://childhood101.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/out3.jpgDon't be afraid to take toys usually associated with indoor play outdoors! Blocks, books, vehicles, figurines, even art materials. ~ Christie, childhood101.com
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Looking after pets
http://childhood101.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/triciaaprilslide4.jpgMuch of our family backyard time is spent looking after pets. Here our daughter learns how to clip the wings of our free-ranging chooks so that they don't fly away. ~Tricia, littleecofootprints.com
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Making our own fun
http://childhood101.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/060920100271.jpgDon't throw prunings (from safe plants) away immediately. Sticks and vines can be used for all sorts of constructions, like this nest. ~ Sarah, oeschanddoots.blogspot.com
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Walking the highwire
http://childhood101.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/ramp.jpgMake a simple balance beam with a length of decking or similar wood and some recycled tyres filled with sand. You can even plant grass seed in the tyres. ~ Christie, childhood101.com
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Flower Fairy Crowns
http://childhood101.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/flower-fairy-crown.jpgBlowing dandelions, weaving daisy chains and dancing around the garden in flower fairy crowns are the things childhood memories are made of. ~ Kate, picklebums.com
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Hiding spaces
http://childhood101.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/secret_natural_spaces.jpgChildren love secret, natural hiding places. Don’t have any? Create one with a fast growing vine. ~ Cath, squigglemum.com
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Family chores
http://childhood101.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/triciaaprilslide3.jpgWe often do backyard chores as a family, incorporating imaginary play into tasks. ~ Tricia, littleecofootprints.com
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Outdoor creativity
http://childhood101.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/IMG_2020.jpegIn our house, we have a rule that chalk can be used to draw on anything outside. The rocks, bricks, concrete and decking are often covered with drawings, but it easily washes off. ~ Sarah, oeschanddoots.blogspot.com
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Garden Potions
http://childhood101.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/sandpit_potions.jpgWhether you prefer to create a magic potion or cook stone soup, you'll find lots of 'ingredients' in the garden - petals, leaves, sand, seedpods, grass, weeds, rocks and more! ~ Kate, picklebums.com
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Let's go fly a kite
http://childhood101.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/kite.jpgPaper bag kites are easy to make and decorate with paint or collage materials. Ribbon tails essential! ~ Christie, childhood101.com
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Homemade obstacle course
http://childhood101.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/IMG_2056.jpegA fun obstacle course can be made with whatever you have around, and a little bit of imagination. ~ Sarah, oeschanddoots.blogspot.com
What are your favourite ways to have fun as a family out in the backyard?
If you haven’t yet, be sure to check out the blogs of the regular (and very talented) Childhood 101 contributors – Kate of Picklebums, Cath aka Squigglemum, Tricia over at Little Eco Footprints and Sarah at Oesch & Doots. These ladies rock 
Christie blogs at http://childhood101.com.
Tagged as: outdoor play
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
So many great ideas. Thank you .
There’s some fantastic ideas here that we’ll certainly be tackling over the long weekend. One of the `must do’ activities is getting the garden back in order after a bumper crop of veggies over the summer. Our daughter loves choosing what vegetables we’re going to grow and then helping plant them.
Great slideshow.
Good luck with your vegie garden, Kellie. Ours is being invaded by the biggest pumpkin plant EVER! Fortunately there are lots of pumpkins growing too!
This might be my favourite post E-V-E-R on Childhood101!!!
Like
Great post! We’ve been spending lots of time outside lately, including going on math quests – http://beebopparade.blogspot.com/2011/04/math-at-arboretum.html (This one was in an arboretum, but it’d go just as well in the backyard or a neighborhood park).
Adore. Anything that gets us outside in the sunshine (or rain, whatever is going!) is okay by me. This is fab. Thanks to all. x
This is where I need a ‘like’ button
Thanks for sharing these fantastic ideas! My little boy is 16 months and loves exploring the outdoors I will need to try/modify some of these for him
Stunning photographs that make me want to go right outside and create something. Brilliant!
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