Outside Games

[Jewels]

Pretty sure I have the same one, and during a really stong rain, like we had this weekend, mine always gets water in through the cracks in the doors. it doesn't get soaked inside and water doesn't come in through the top or anything.

[Cradle2crayons]

Pretty sure I have the same one, and during a really stong rain, like we had this weekend, mine always gets water in through the cracks in the doors. it doesn't get soaked inside and water doesn't come in through the top or anything.

Oh wow... We have some gully washers and tornadoes and hurricanes but I've been lucky so far about no rain coming in it.

[rmc20021]

What are some of your favorite outdoor activities/games for school-age children?

I have a wide open yard with enough room to run and what do my kids do when we go outside? Sit. Play on the swingset for 5 minutes and then sit. It's driving me bonkers and I want them to play and get energy out. It's like they go outside and instantly don't know what to do....like imagination freeze or something.

I have a 2 yo, 6, 7, 8, and 9 year olds. I need something that at least the older 4 can enjoy together. The 2 year old I can handle. :-)

Side note: My yard is not capable of being able to play hide-n-seek. And, tag ALWAYS ends up in a fight.

I have the same problems with my sa kids...that's why I don't like that age. I have two that will be leaving when school gets out (at my request) and another who is a sib to a preschooler who starts school this coming year so when they are gone, there will be no more sa kids for me.

They walk outside and it's as if they have no clue what to do...if I'm not creating something for them to do, they will SIT there. If they DO go play something, it last 5 minutes and then it's right back to just sitting there doing nothing.

I refuse to spend my entire summer trying to create things for kids this age to do...

There's PLENTY out there to do and if they can't find something to occupy them then this isn't the place for them to be.

I've found myself focusing more on the sa kids than the little kids who need more supervision.

[Familycare71]

I know how you feel my SA kids will be running around inside and then we go outside and they sit there not knowing what to do. It drives me completely insane! For me I have found the station idea to work and I like the " this is make your own fun time". I am so saying that tomorrow. Another thing that I have found is they like to make forts so I try to have things for them to use likes blankets, boards and they usually find other things to add to their forts. I also tell them if they want to be bored it is their choice just don't bug someone else who is having fun. Good Luck!

Me too!!!! And my pre-schoolers!! Bouncing off the wall inside- sitting quietly by me outside! WTH!!! Lol. I did get a sand box and they LOVE it! I make them take shoes and socks off and they get brushed off before going inside

[Familycare71]

Also I purchased a teeter totter! It spins 360 and goes up and down- it was $150 at Walmart and the kids LOVE it!! All ages! Plus they really expel energy on it.
We had to take down the traditional playground because of NYS new ground cover rules- I didn't have the $$$ to spend to meet the requirements

[JoseyJo]

I purchased the supplies to put up an open shelving unit w/ the clip-lock style rubbermaid containers. Very excited! I think I am going to put it under the overhang next to our back door. I hope the containers can keep out the rain for the most part, but if not we can store the whole thing in the garage...

I really want to do a gravel pit too (8x8 ft area around a big shady tree, 4-6 inches deep I think)- Just have to convince my hubby it is worth the work!