Flying Object Fun!
Bow and Arrow(Ages 5-11)
Build your own bow and arrow and see if you can hit a target! Host a competition and see who can get the most points.
Balloon Rocket(Ages 5-16)
Create your very own balloon powered rockets and see how far they can travel.
Experiment with different balloon shapes and sizes to experiment with the travel speed.
Rubber Band Helicopter(Ages 9-16)
Learn about helicopters by making a rubber band powered flying toy!
Giant Bubble Wand(Ages 3-16)
Now that the weather is warming up, my kids have been looking forward to going camping and playing outside! Using some household items, it was easy to make a giant bubble wand and a bubble solution for giant bubbles. The kids loved taking turns trying to see who could make the biggest bubbles.
One-of-a-Kind Bubble Bottle(Ages 3-11)
Is there anything more fun for kids than bubbles? Not in my house!--well, at least on this afternoon with with this particular bubble bottle. My kids and I had a great time making our one-of-a-kind bottle...then we had a blast blowing a GAZILLION bubble suds!
Games to Make and Play
Cornhole is a game that has been around for years! The goal is to toss bags (orginally filled with corn kernels) into plywood holes (hence the name cornhole!) The game is more popular than ever, and world tournaments abound! It’s simple to make your own cornhole game using a cardboard box.
This bean bag game is easy to assemble–you’ll be having fun in minutes! Children can help make bean bags; paper plates make great targets!
Paper Plate Ring Toss(Ages 3-16)
We designed and created our own little game of ring toss that uses super simple household materials. The kids had so much fun practicing their tossing skills that they wanted to paint more paper rings! If you’re looking for an easy-to-make afternoon activity that provides hours of fun, try this paper plate ring toss.
Outdoor Arts and Crafts
Red, White, and Blue 3D Stars(Ages 9-16)
Get ready for Memorial Day weekend with this banner of 3D stars. These DIY stars are super simple, once you learn the technique of making a single petal. As you create each petal, the 3D stars will start to come into form. You can experiment with different layers, sizes, and shapes, making these DIY stars great for any occasion.
Mini Piñatas(Ages 3-11)
Your kids will love to make and break these adorable mini pinatas!
Transform backyard rocks into bugs and other animals. This simple art project is fun for little kids!
Chalk Paints(Ages 5-16)
This summer, we decided to try our hand at making colorful chalk paint! This easy recipe only requires three ingredients and your imagination.
Festive Picnic Food
Creamy ice cream made with just one ingredient. Yes, that’s right — just one ingredient, and no ice cream maker needed!
Fire Pot S'mores(Ages 5-16)
Recreate the fun of summertime camping with mini fire pot s'mores! Nothing's more convenient than roasting marshmallows using a simple terra cotta pot. It's the perfect way to enjoy a summer night treat in your own backyard.
Fruit Pops(Ages 3-16)
Now that it's officially summer, my kids have craving anything cold to cool down from the heat. As a healthy alternative to store-bought popsicles and ice cream, we decided to try making our own fruit pops. They turned out to be delicious and refreshing! The best part was watching the kids have fun picking out their favorite fruits to make custom combination of flavors.
Memorial Day Fun | Our Favorite Backyard Activities
The long Memorial Day weekend is the official start of summer (at least mentally!) for most of us. This year will likely be a little different from how we would typically spend the long weekend (no neighborhood BBQ or pool party for us this year) — but it’s still a great time to have some serious backyard fun! With that in mind, we created a list of our favorite outdoor games to play, crafts to make, and foods to eat outdoors. All of these projects can be created using simple materials and ingredients that you may already have at your house. We hope these projects make your Memorial Day even more memorable!