Remember the days when you would go outside as a kid? You would ride your bike without a helmet. Remember riding down to the store or a friends house and stay out until the street lights came on? Most of us did these things back in our childhood.

But we didn’t have the Internet back then.

Nowadays, kids are ingrained with technology. Heck, we hand them their own cell phones when they turn 8! The most technological thing we had as kids was a Super Nintendo. Now, kids are on their own tablets playing games, watching videos, and Facetiming each other. It’s no wonder the toy makers are losing money; kids aren’t using their imaginations anymore.

They’re not going outside either.

Be a responsible parent and get you children off of the electronics and out in the yard to play. Better yet, go play with them. This will get everybody active and having fun together. Here are some of the things you can do with your kids outside in the yard.

Sports

Probably the most popular use of your yard (if you have kids). Go out there and toss a football back and forth. Tackle your kids as they try to reach the end zone, but don’t forget to let them tackle you. Kids love getting past their giant parents.

You can play some kickball while you’re out there or, if you live far enough from your neighbor, you can hit some baseballs. Make sure to keep your lawn mowed, otherwise you might lose a couple of the balls.

Snow

It’s cold outside, so what?! Bundle up and take those kids outside to play in the snow-covered yard. Throw snowballs at each other; how often do you actually get to do that? It’s going to be cold as the snow falls into your coat and touches your neck but it’s all part of the fun.

Build a snowman together. Yes, we have all seen snowman, but have you ever taken your kids outside to make one? Encourage them to find items in the yard to use for eyes and a nose. Better yet, try to build something other than a snowman. Be creative in your character choice. Have you ever built a snow-Jabba the Hutt? That one’s fun.

Party

Plan an outdoor party for your kids. This can be for a special occasion such as a birthday, or it can be just to have a blast. Plan some fun games (no, not Pin the Tail on the Donkey – unless they are pinning it on you dressed as a donkey). You could rent an inflatable bounce house and have your kids and their friends jump the afternoon away.

Pick up some tiki torches and have a summer night party out in the yard. Grill burgers and hot dogs for the kids and watch them play with their friends – as kids were meant to do. You could even rent an inflatable water slide for them to cool off from the hot summer days.

Zombies

Hordes of the undead are chasing after you and your kids! Grab your Nerf guns and shoot them dead (again)!

This is perhaps the best way to play with your kids in the yard. Running from the infected, crouching behind bushes and against walls, rolling to collect your fallen gun, hopping into the car to make a getaway (yes, use the actual car for this!), and scavenging for supplies; you guys will be getting lots of exercise. As an added benefit, you are getting your kids to use their imaginations as they survive the zombie apocalypse with you.

It’s even better when they have to put their parent down after you get bit and turn into an undead yourself!

Published: 2018-11-15 11:38:06