Many parents feel pressure during the summer months to keep their kids occupied and inspired. Day camps and on-site summer programs are popular choices and usually offer stimulating child care, but they can be expensive. Plus, other kid-friendly summer events such as festivals are wallet drains, too.
A few decades ago, it seems kids spent more time playing in their yards during the summer and less time playing video games or at events that cost money. Of course, times really have changed, and there are multiple reasons why kids might need more structure these days, but incorporating good ol' fashioned toys and activities is a nice balance to modern-day summer activities.
So consider this a permission slip to load up on cheap, classic games and toys and spend the day -- heck, maybe the entire weekend -- hanging out in the yard and bellyflopping into old-school fun. Parents might want to load up beer or lemonade or both while they're at it.
Chinese jump rope: This Chinese game is a cross between hopscotch and rope jumpong. It requires an elastic rope that goes around the ankles of two people who are facing each other. Then, another person jumps in a particular pattern -- these patterns vary and can be found online or made up. Chinese jump ropes are available online or at local variety stores.
Jump ropes: Long jump ropes that involve three kids -- two to turn and one to jump -- provide both great exercise and hidden lesson in coordination. Anyone who masters the single rope can give the two-roped "double dutch" version a whirl.
"Lemon twist:" Anyone who grew up in the ‘70s or ‘80s remembers this toy, which featured a plastic ring that goes around the ankle attached to a plastic lemon. The idea was to swing it around the ankle and skip over it with the other foot. Many variations of this toy exist today and are sometimes called "skip ball."
Croquet: This lawn game is a bit more of an investment up front -- Target sells a set for just under $40 -- but provides many years of recreational and competitive fun for kids and adults alike. What's more fun for kids than whacking balls with mallets? Of course, whacking siblings with mallets is less fun, so adult supervision is necessary with this game.
Chalk: Don't overlook the appeal of simple chalk. Show kids how to draw a hopscotch board or give suggest they draw around a theme like flowers. Also, one quick thought on 3-D chalk: don't get bamboozled by it. It comes with 3-D goggles, but he chalk is the same.
Hula hoops: Hula hooping isn't as easy as it looks, but kids seem to get it pretty quickly. Once they do, they can try to hula multiple hoops, walk while hula-ing or try using the hoop as a "basket" to introduce young kids to basketball.Decorating hula hoops with tape, stickers or streamers is another yard hit waiting to happen.
Spray bottles: Don't want your kids to play with squirt guns? Grab plastic spray bottles and little people will have just as much fun spraying the sidewalk, the garage or the dog.
Rock washing / painting: Young kids will appreciate the fact rocks change colors when wet, so a pile of rocks and a bucket of water can go along way. Older kids might appreciate painting the rocks, too.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
