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Backyard & home
Activity Ideas
Easy, inexpensive ideas to keep the kids busy,
engaged, and excited about summer. Oh, and there
may be some sneaky OT/PT work in there, too!
Water Play If you don't have a swimming pool in your own backyard, you can still use water play to cool everyone off on those hot, hazy days:
1. Run through the sprinkler.
2. Purchase a water table - you can find them at garage sales or on Craigslist, or splurge on a new one!
3. Water cannons, or squirt guns, and two 5-gallon buckets make for hours of water battle fun.
4. Make a trashbag slip & slide.
5. Give kids paint brushes and a bowl of water. Have them "paint" whatever surface they want!
6. Grab a bucket and sponge and create a bike or animal wash. You can even bring math into the fun by "charging" for services.
Staycation Ideas No leave time? Low tolerance for public outings? ESY and therapy schedule leave you without time to get away? Try these on for size:
7. Pitch your tent in the backyard! Bring out sleeping bags, air mattresses, and lanterns, and don't forget the weenie roast! If you don't have a tent of your own, check out your local MWR's supplies.
8. Hold a spa-party: mani-pedis (as tolerated), cucumber facial masks, massages, and fruity drinks for all! What a great way to work in some sensory work.
9. Use leftover wardrobe boxes from your
last PCS or get some from your local appliance store and help the kids create a cardboard box city. They can make a store, a house, the local fire station - the possibilites are limited only