9 Family Activities for Your Backyard This Spring
As the weather gets nicer and the days get longer, it’s the perfect time to start spending more time outdoors with your family.
The kids may have enjoyed their cosy stint holed up in the warm indoors, but now that spring has arrived, they’ll be itching to get outside and burn off some energy.
And what better place than the space right outside their door?
If you’re looking for some fun activities to do in your backyard this spring, look no further. Here are nine great backyard activities that will keep kids happy for hours.
1. Fly a Kite
Flying a kite is the perfect outdoor activity on a breezy spring day. Diamond or delta-shaped kites are the easiest to fly, so pick either of the two designs if neither you nor your kid has experienced flying one before.
The great thing about the kite is that it’s fairly accessible. All you have to do is secure the kite, set it up, and you’re on your merry way to seeing it soar to the skies.
This activity doesn’t require much strenuous effort for anyone, making it perfect for families still easing into outdoor activities after a long winter. Consider it a sort of warm-up session before you get into some heart-pumping sports!
2. Go Stargazing
Who says backyard activities have to take place during the day?
Spring is a great time to go stargazing because the nights are cool and the moon is at its brightest. In fact, many astronomers call this season the “observing season” simply because the night sky during this period is brimming with activity.
On a clear night, set up a blanket or some lawn chairs in your backyard, bundle up some blankets, pour yourselves some hot cocoa and get comfy! If you have a pair of binoculars or a telescope, bring them out to get a better view.
If you’re enthusiastic about the stars, you can even ask your kids to recognise some constellations.
3. Learn to Cartwheel
If your child has always wanted to learn how to do a cartwheel in a safe environment, now’s their chance! Have them practise it in your backyard until they’ve got the technique down.
The concept is simple: they have to start in a lunge position and then put their hand on the ground. They’ll then have to propel themselves forward with their feet and land in a lunge position again.
Once they’ve mastered it, they can then show off their new skills at the park or to their friends.
4. Make S’mores
It’s hard to beat a delectable combination of roasted marshmallows, graham crackers, and gooey chocolate. Add some good company to the mix, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for a fun backyard spring activity!
This classic camping treat is easy to make right in your own backyard. If you have your own fire pit or a grill, use that! If not, you can make a makeshift one by digging a hole in the ground and lining it with rocks.
Once you have everything set up, roast the marshmallows over the fire until they’re nice and golden brown. sandwich them between two graham crackers with a piece of chocolate in between. Finally, indulge.
5. Play Catch
If you have a ball, go outside and play catch with your entire family! The kids will enjoy working up a sweat; and if you have a dog, they’ll probably appreciate the chance to run around, too.
Aside from being a great way to spend time together, playing catch can help little ones with their hand-eye coordination and motor skills. That said, it’s not rare for accidental damages to occur on your property due to a missed shot. If you want to be financially protected should accidents occur, find an online quote here.
6. Play Hide and Seek
Hide and seek is a classic activity that kids of all ages can enjoy.
Choose someone to be “it” (or elect yourself), have them count inside the house and see how long it takes to find everyone else hiding in the backyard.
You might be surprised at how hard it is to find good hiding spots!
7. Plant a Garden
Spring is the season of renewal and growth, so what better activity to do with your family than planting some vegetables in your garden?
Planting a garden can teach kids a whole lot of life skills and lessons, such as patience, responsibility, and the importance of taking care of living things.
Not only will you get to enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables come summertime, but you’ll also have a beautiful backyard display that the whole family can enjoy.
8. Have a Picnic
With the snow thawing and flowers blooming, the outside world is allowing visitors into its arms once again. Take advantage of this by packing up a picnic and heading to your backyard!
Sandwiches, finger foods, and beverages are must-brings to any outdoor gathering. But before that, make sure you have a blanket or piece of cloth to spread out before you sit on the ground. Picnic tables are also welcomed substitutes.
9. Catch and Release Bugs
Explore your backyard and see what kinds of bugs you can find! Butterflies, ladybugs, and beetles wake up from their hibernation during this time, and they’ll be hungry for pollen and food.
Younger kids can enjoy catching them in a jar, while older kids may like identifying critters using a field guide.
That said, just be sure to inform your kids to release these bugs during the day’s end. These insects play an important role in the ecosystem, and we wouldn’t want to disrupt that!
