Small Yard Outdoor Fun With Kids – Stay Hydrated!
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post for Juicy Juice. All opinions are my own.
This summer we’re staying close to home given the uncertainties regarding Covid-19. We don’t mind as we’re grateful we have our health, food, home, and each other during this challenging time.
With nicer weather now, we’re spending more times outdoors. We don’t have a large yard, but we make do with the space we have. We find ways to explore nature and create games. This reflects where a lot of us are now – making the best of the situation and getting creative.
Hidden Surprises
At first glance, my daughter doesn’t see much in the mulch. She says it just looks like dirt. But then she uses a stick to poke around and turn the mulch over. Surprise! There are tons of “roly-poly” bugs. She loves these little critters because when she touches them they roll up into a ball. She enjoys holding the “balls” in the palms of her hands. Looking closer at dirt, my daughter also finds ant hills, worms, and other interesting creatures. “They’re my friends,” she says. Nature is so fascinating…especially to the young.
Thirsty Plants
In our mini garden, we have plants growing such as chives and lettuce. With the temperatures rising, the soil is dry, and the plants are thirsty. My daughter uses her toy watering can to hydrate the plants. She thinks it’s cool to pour water (the wonderment of young kids). We love that she’s helping to water our garden!
Ball Toss
Though we aren’t at the beach, we find a fun way to use the beach toys. We scatter on the lawn various beach buckets, an inflatable ring, a frisbee, and a sand sifter. The goal? Throw the beach ball into any one of them. It’s a simple concept, but still provides a challenge – especially if there’s a breeze redirecting the inflatable ball. We toss the ball from different distances to make it even more challenging.
How High Can You Throw
“I can throw higher than you,” says my daughter.
“No, you can’t,” I smile.
“Let’s have a contest!” she exclaims.
We take turns throwing the ball straight up into the air. We measure height thrown by finding landmarks, such as the shed’s roof or the top of the pine tree. I throw the ball up from a sitting position on a chair to make the height aspect more fair. It’s pretty amazing how something basic like throwing a ball can keep kids occupied for a long time.
Hydration Break
Kids often forget to stay hydrated when they’re busy playing. A Kumon article states, “Children are particularly at risk of becoming dehydrated because a child’s body is less effective at perspiring and produces more heat during physical exertion. Children also tend to be more physically active than adults, resulting in a greater loss of bodily water.”
That’s why it’s important to remind them to take a break. My daughter likes organic Juicy Juice Juicy Waters. These juice boxes contain water with a splash of flavor. It comes in Orange, Fruit Punch, and Strawberry Watermelon flavors. I like them because they contain no sugar, sweeteners, or high fructose corn syrup, so I let her drink up!
After our hydration break we continue to play until dinnertime. Though we have a small yard, we made the best of the space and got creative with outdoor activities. What kind of activities do you do in your backyard? Leave a note in the comments.
Have a safe and wonderful summer!
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