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fun family activities

5 Best Backyard Water Games for All Ages

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There are several ways to spend your summer vacation, and when it comes to having some cool fun under the blazing summer sun, there’s nothing better than some backyard water games with the whole family. It’s summer and everyone in the family wants to get outside, enjoy the fresh air and sunshine… and then cool things off with a few wild wet games, let’s list them!

  1. Sprinkler Limbo

Remember the good old days and how much fun you had playing the limbo game? Here is something even better and pretty simple. First, you need a hose with a nozzle that’ll allow for a steady flow of water, or you could get a meter long PVC pipe, drill holes in it, plug one end and firmly connect the other to your hose. Now, turn on the water and let the games begin! Remember no crawling; kids will try to maneuver their bodies any way they can as they pass under the stream of water without getting wet.

  1. Sponge Battle

Kids would love to rock this and adults can join too. Everyone would love venturing into an epic clash. There’s no turning back, kings of the seven realms all engaged in one final battle. Winner takes all! And will be the sole ruler of all the seven kingdoms… Yeah I got a bit carried away there, but adding a story to games has a way of spicing things up a bit. Here all you need are some sponges and a few buckets filled with water. May the one with the best aim win!

  1. Water Spray Wars

Still in the spirit of battle. All you need for this game are spray bottles; alternatively, you can use dish soap bottle filled with water and with their cover on. The player with the spray bottle needs to chase and tag other players by squirting them. When you are tagged, you take over the spray bottle and do the squirting. You can add rules and different variations to it to make it even more interesting.

  1. Slip and slides

A really fun backyard game everyone can join. For those with small yard spaces, this does not require a lot of space in the backyard, and all you need is a simple garden hose attached to it, and that will provide all the water needed. With a strong running start, flop down on your stomach and see who can get down the path the furthest. Everyone will have a blast seeing who can make it the farthest.

  1. Water Balloons

Did somebody backyard water games for all ages? Now, this is it! For some really fun time outside, add this to your list. Whether it’s a friendly balloon toss or an out and out battle of tag, there are lots of fun to catch up on with these water balloons. Fill up dozens of them, share it equally amongst you. Everyone run around and try to stay dry!

According to research, kids are more likely to be active when their parents are active. So now you know having fun with the kids is up to you, get out there with your kids and show them how to have an incredibly good time.

9 Fun Summer Camp Crafts and Activities you should try at Home

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Camping with your family offers a wide array of possibilities for enjoyment but if don’t feel like camping out this year, here are some kids’ crafts you can try at home. These summer camp crafts are sure to keep them…and you… occupied all season. From indoor to outdoor activities, there are activities for all ages, and you can bring the summer camp fun to your home.

Let’s go!

  1. Mess-Free Handicrafts

When I hear summer camp crafts, the first thing that comes to mind are those mess-free activities which are of course great for both indoors and outdoors. From making and decorating their own to kites to trying their hand at different friendship bracelet patterns, origami and all. It’s important that their decoration or craft is in line with the summer theme and when they are done with the craft, for example, the kite, they can run outside and have a blast in the sun.

  1. Tie-Dyed T-Shirts

As campers, we all look forward to tie-dyed T-shirt day and so does our kids. Make them excited about it by telling them a few days before the day. You can buy your tie-dye kit online or at any local craft store. Get everyone’s white shirt ready; it is recommended they use their old white shirts instead of buying an entirely new one. Although your kids may need supervision, do well to make sure everyone is hands-on with their plastic gloves and messy clothes or aprons. Let the fun begin… They’ll surely be proud of their T-shirts when it is all dried up.

  1. Nature Hunt

This can be done either at a local park or in your backyard, and it is one of the amazing ways to appreciate nature. You can craft a bug or butterfly catcher to corral summer bugs or other creepy crawlers around the field and flowers so you can give them a closer look. If actually catching them seems too adventurous, you can simply give the kids a pencil and paper to make observations about them.

Better still you can go on a bird watch or nature walk, all these will make them see nature in a whole new light and appreciate nature even more.

  1. Tabletop Game Competition

Remember summer camp and those game rooms filled with foosball, ping-pong and other tabletop games, you can have some fun time with this right at home. You might need to invest in one of these; you can also join the kids to make the game more interesting, fun and engaging.

  1. Water Game Olympics

Its summer and the kids need to cool off, so a water game competition can be a great idea. Right in the comfort of your backyard, you can get this set up, games like sprinkler limbo, sponge dodgeball or any water game idea that comes to mind. It’s water, it’s summer, it’ll be super fun!

  1. Sand and Seashell Art

Camping is mostly about discovering nature and engaging in some worthwhile activities. From dying sands and stocking them up in a glass jar to using glue to form sandy signs and designs on paper. If you have seashells either from beach vacations or ordering them online, kids can have some fun time with those too. Either by painting shells, gluing them to a drawing to create picture frames or using to them to craft necklaces or hand-beads – the possibilities are endless.

  1. Journaling

Traditionally as sleep-away campers, we were instructed to write letters to our parents or better still we were asked to keep journals in order to write down our adventures, well, let’s bring that home too. You can get your kid a new journal and some nice colored pencils and encourage him or her to write about their summer adventure.

  1. Field Day

Everyone should partake in this, the whole family or better still the whole neighborhood and let the fun begin! Group games like soccer, kickball, wiffle-ball, capture the flag or any nice game that fall into this category. Other fun games to try on your field day are sack races or the amazing Tug o’ war.

  1. Backyard Camping

To get everyone in the camping mode, you can opt for a backyard camping night where you can simply set up a tent in the backyard and get camping. You can spice things up by stargazing, telling ghost stories, having s’mores and other traditional camping foods. Fire is dangerous but if you’re good with campfires and can give proper supervision to the kids, then build a camp fire (this totally depends on your neighborhood and how large your backyard is). You can have the entire family sit around it and be memorized by the flames. Enjoy the warmth, roast marshmallows, tell stories, and enjoy how the dancing flames bring your entire family together.

Hosting a Family Reunion – Get Everyone Involved

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Has it been a long time since you have seen the whole family? Were you talking about your Great Aunt Suzy and your kids asked who? Then you’ll probably want to plan your next family reunion. 

However, coordinating the whole thing is a very daunting task. You need to get everyone to pitch in and delegate tasks. Here’s how to get everyone involved in planning your next big family reunion.

  • Start out by talking to your family. Send out a short questionnaire. Ask who is interested. When would be a good time to have a reunion (suggest dates that work)? What is a good location to have a reunion? Once you know what works for everyone you can start having people get their feelers out for a place that will be as centrally located as possible and the most cost effective for everyone.
  • Come up with a budget that everyone is comfortable with and stick with it. There’s nothing worse than getting everyone excited about a family reunion only to have someone unable to join because he can’t afford it. So always keep everyone in mind and what their ability to pay might be so no one has to be excluded for financial reasons.
  • Don’t be afraid to delegate tasks. Work to your family members’ strengths. If you have someone in your family who’s really great at hunting out bargains, put that person in charge of finding the location. Someone who’s creative can be put in charge of the games. A photographer in the family? See if he wouldn’t mind taking pictures at the reunion.
  • Have a clear schedule of events with expectations. This keeps everyone on the same page so they know what’s expected of them.
  • Get all ages of children involved by having them create decorative and crafty place settings so your family reunion guests will know where to sit.
  • Don’t over plan. While the idea of a family reunion is to get together with the family, also remember that too much of a good thing isn’t a good thing. So do encourage the family to go off and do things on their own or even break up into smaller groups.
  • Be open to others ideas and try to accommodate as many people as possible, but also keep in mind that you can’t please everyone all the time.
  • Remember to have fun. This is probably the most important. You have fun with it and you might even get people coming up to you offering to help without even having to ask. Don’t count on it happening that way, though. You most likely will still have to put requests out there, but people will be more inclined to help if you aren’t super bossy and are ready and willing to have fun.

Hosting a family reunion is a lot of work. But with the right attitude and a willingness to be flexible it will come together. You’ll create a great memory for the whole family and see people you haven’t seen in a very long time. So get to planning with these tips above in mind and you’ll have a wonderful time. What are your tips for hosting a family reunion?

Hiking and Biking: Get out and Get Some Fresh Air

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In this fast paced life we don’t often stop to smell the roses or pause to reflect on how beautiful this world really is.   There are many benefits to getting outside, breathing in some fresh air, and taking in the nature around us.  This is especially true for busy families who barely have time to eat dinner together.

Two activities that can pull a family together and get them moving are hiking and biking.  Not only will you get some great exercise, but also you will be able to connect with your family again and strengthen those relationships.  Not only that, but both hiking and biking have some fantastic benefits.

Hiking and Biking: Get out and Get Some Fresh Air

Great cardio – We all know how important it is to incorporate exercise into a daily/weekly routine, but this is sometimes hard to stick to especially for busy families.   However both hiking and biking are wonderful ways to get that important workout without having to visit a gym every night.  Both are wonderful for your cardiovascular system.  Your blood gets pumping and all those unused muscles are put to work helping to build strength and muscle tone.

Low/No Cost – Hiking and biking have a huge advantage over many other workouts. They are both totally free to enjoy whenever you choose.  Of course you will need bicycles and possibly some good hiking boots but other than that you are free and clear to enjoy these activities without worrying about them impacting your bank account.

Stress reduction – It has been proven that outdoor activities, fresh air, and sunshine can help reduce stress or worry in your life.   Getting outside with your family and connecting with them in a different way can do a world of good on any worrisome issues that are plaguing you.  Without the weight of the world pushing down on your shoulders it will be easier to enjoy your family time together, laughing and bonding in a way you wouldn’t otherwise.

Variety – Both of these activities provide variety in your workout.  When you hit the gym it can often become monotonous and boring to stare at a television screen while on the treadmill or stationary bike.  When you get outdoors and take a bike ride or hike one of the trails you get to take in different scenery every time you go.  Keep each member of the family involved and give everyone a chance to pick where they want to go one of the times you are out and about.

There are benefits to just about any outdoor activity you choose.  Hiking and biking are wonderful simply because they allow you and your family to get back to the basics and take in all the wonders nature has to offer.  It’s a great way to connect with your family and take in some beautiful scenery at the same time.  The fresh air, cool breeze, and quiet calm can make you see things from a different perspective and enjoy your family time and what really matters in life.

5 Spots To Have Fun With Your Child in Europe

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If you have a child, that is between the age of 6 and 12, you know how difficult it is to choose a spot for the vacation where he will have fun, enjoy and not annoy you too much. Furthermore, it is very important during this period to connect with him or her, so that you can build a solid relationship for the future. For this reason, it is very important to find a way to interact with him and a sport that will allow you to do it in the best way possible. We want to help you out and in this article we are going to take a look at the 5 best spots to do fun activities with your children. Are you ready to discover them? Then keep reading.

Lake Garda
Lake Garda is a beautiful lake in Italy and it is a great source of fun and sport. You can choose between a huge number of camping locations and the Italian people will welcome you. The main activities that you will be able to do in Lake Garda with your children are cycling, swimming, climbing and hiking. Even if your child is not into sports a lot, he or she will still be amazed by the beauty of the environment and the opportunities to play around in freedom.

Camping at the Bodensee
This lake in Germany is a great spot for camping. A wide variety of adventures are awaiting you and your children. Are you ready to discover them all? Try hiking trough the beautiful dark forest or have a nice swimming session with them. The water is normally chilly and this will add a challenge, which kids will love.

Going on a tour in the Netherlands
The Netherlands are the best place if you want to combine an adventurous trip and an instructive journey as well. In fact, Holland is one of the best countries when it comes to nature and using what they have to create beautiful sceneries and environment. However, main cities, like Amsterdam, are going to teach your kids some history, while having a lot of fun. We cannot recommend enough the power of the combination of an education and a fun trip.

Exploring Denmark
Denmark is the land of exploration. We do not say it just to claim something. It is, by far, one of the best spot to have fun and enjoy life. The woods are amazing and there are a lot of camping that you can choose from. The best thing? They are normally full of games and parks and have some of the best family activities you will ever see. Definitely recommended.

Flying Overseas
Kids love adventures so much that it would be a lot of fun for them to take a plane and explore what the world has to offer them. Many children dream of visiting other countries.  There’s no time better than the present to show them the world through your eyes, while they show it to you through theirs.

Resources:

  • http://www.visitgarda.com/it/lago_di_garda/
    http://www.bodensee.eu/it
    http://www.holland.com/global/tourism/information/netherlands-vs-holland.htm