Think your backyard is boring? Think again. There are many new and creative ways to enjoy whatever outdoor space you may have, and we are daring you to kick up the fun a notch. Tackle these challenges, take a photo, and share it with us on social media (@GlenEllynPL) to inspire your neighbors and friends.
- Tree Tag. Materials: Yard or park with at least two trees. Players: Three or more. In “tree tag” the trees are safe. The “It” player tries to tag other players as they run between trees, but if anyone touches a tree–they’re safe. Extra points if you hug a tree.
- Obstacle Course. Materials: Weird household items. Players: Two or more. Use items you find around the house to create an obstacle course in your backyard. See who can complete it the fastest, and take turns designing new courses. The weirder the object, the better so try jumping over kitchen whisks or walking across broom handles.
- Stuffed Animal Hide and Seek. Materials: Stuffed animals, pencils, paper. Players: Two or more. One player hides the stuffed animals outside, and the other player(s) try to find them. The silly part is the player who hid the animals needs to make the sound of that animal as the seekers get closer to the hiding spot. “You’re getting close to the bear…grrr!”
- Barefoot Bonanza. Materials: Shoes. Players: Two or more. Set a timer and run outside, take off your shoes, put them in a big pile and run back to the house barefoot. In round two, you have to run outside barefoot, find your matching shoes, put them on properly (tied!) and race back to the house again.
- Sidewalk Chalk Target. Materials: Chalk, rocks, or pinecones. Players: Two or more. Draw a target on the sidewalk with chalk, making sure to draw multiple rings inside of each other with a target in the middle. Rings are worth 1-2-3 points (inner rings worth more). Take turns tossing the rocks onto the target. The player with the most points wins.