One of my favorite parts about summer is taking advantage of the extra space that isn’t available during the colder months. Our home feels so much more spacious when the windows are open, the patio furniture on the screened-in porch is reassembled, and the backyard is green with full flower beds. However, like any space in our home, our own backyard is what we make of it! Luckily, there are plenty of things to do in the backyard if you are willing to put in just a little bit of effort and time – I promise, the activity list below will help you to have the best summer yet!
1. Outdoor Movie Night
Whether you have a screened-in porch or a small green space in your backyard, you can pull off the ultimate outdoor movie night! This is a great activity that you can do solo, with a friend or significant other, or in a group. Plus, the best part is that it’s very low-cost – which is always a perk!
The only thing that you really need to host an outdoor movie night is a projector. Thanks to their rising popularity and technology developments over the past few years, projectors are now easily accessible online. Amazon has a slew of affordable, quality options that are perfect for use at home, both inside and outside of your house.
From here, you can choose a variety of options to display your movie projection, depending on what’s available to use. If you have a smooth surface outside like an exterior wall or shed, you can use this as your screen!
However, if you have shingles or brick outside of your home, you may want to consider purchasing or utilizing a smooth surface to get the best viewing experience. You could hang a gray or white sheet on the side of your house, or if you want to go the extra mile, there are options out there under $100 for standalone projection screens that are easy to assemble and can fit into a small carrying bag when you’re not using it.
This is a great way to enjoy your outdoor space, no matter if you’re watching a movie with the whole family or binge-watching your favorite TV show. Level up your good time by making a self-serve popcorn and drink station and creating a cozy seating arrangement with pillows and blankets.
2. Backyard Games
Croquet
You don’t need acres of land or a lot of athleticism to enjoy backyard games. Lawn games make for a great time with friends or family. Whether you want to add an entertainment element to a backyard barbeque or are just looking to spend a relaxing evening at home, outdoor games are a fun way to do just that.
One classic game you might consider is croquet. There are many theories as to exactly when and where the original game of croquet was conceptualized, and two schools of thought suggest France or Ireland to have been the countries of origin.
It is known however that the game made its way to England, and the oldest known document to bear the name “croquet” appeared in the mid-1800s.
There are variations of rules in the modern-day game depending on your location, but no matter the exact playbook you’re following, croquet is a great game for everyone from older kids to older adults.
It’s low impact, doesn’t require too much green space, and is easy to set up and tear down. You’ll find that fostering a little friendly competition is so much fun!
Cornhole
If croquet isn’t your style, you might consider a game like cornhole. Cornhole is especially popular in the Midwest as another easy game for families and young kids.
It’s also relatively inexpensive, as most sets are close to or under $100 online. Plus, it’s an easy game to travel with. Set it up next to a picnic table at the park or any space where you’re having outdoor fun. It will be a guaranteed hit with everyone!
Ladder Toss
Another popular yard game (at least in the Midwest) is ladder toss. Ladder toss is another simple game that is great for the whole family. It does require some hand-eye coordination, but once you get the hang of it, it may become one of your favorite things to do in the backyard.
This is another relatively low-cost game – most sets are under $100. It’s the perfect partner game, if you’re having another couple over it’s easy to play in groups of four.
3. Kid-Friendly Activities
Kid-friendly activities are the perfect things to do in the backyard. Activities that involve making a mess are much less of a concern when you’re outside (like water balloons or mud pies), along with activities that may otherwise be a risk of breaking something indoors (like using a hula hoop or jump rope).
Beyond adventures like a bike ride or a long walk that may go beyond your home, there are plenty of fun things to do in your own backyard. For instance, one of my favorite activities to do growing up was to play board games on a picnic blanket on the deck or in the yard. It was the perfect way to enjoy an activity that we already had while enjoying the sunshine and fresh air.
Also, never underestimate things that you already have around the house – even a garden hose can make for a fun game. Filling a small pool or using a sprinkler is a great way to entertain young kids on especially hot summer days.
There are also toys that you can buy, such as a water table, that make for great backyard accessories. Toys such as these can also be beneficial for young brain development! And if you have fur babies like I do, water activities are a great way to get outside with your dog as well.
For those who might have more biodiversity in their backyard, try a nature scavenger hunt. This is the perfect way to entertain older kids as well, especially if you give them a challenging list of items to find. There are free templates on Pinterest that make it easy to create a fun afternoon, and it’s an educational way to enjoy the great outdoors.
4. Backyard Camping
On cool summer nights, one of the best things to do is backyard camping. And don’t worry, if you’re not a fan of sleeping outdoors (I’m with you on that one), you can mimic the theme of a sleepaway camp without actually having to commit to being outside all night in a sleeping bag.
First, you’ll want to set up a backyard fire pit. Whether you make one yourself or purchase one, it’s the perfect place to gather around to tell scary stories and roast marshmallows.
If your family has musical instruments, it’s a great time to break out a guitar. Younger children will love the elements of camp, and even adults will love reminiscing on their own camp days with a little bit of nostalgia!
A night around the bonfire with friends is one of the most relaxing ways to unwind after a long week. Whether you’re inviting new friends over or longtime ones, it’s a great way to enjoy conversation and quality company. Some of the best outdoor activities are the simplest.
Plus, even if your summer nights aren’t exactly tropical, this is a way that you can still spend your evening outdoors thanks to the added warmth from the fire.
Related: How to Have a Nice Date Night in Your Backyard
5. Tea Party
A tea party is one of the perfect things to do in the backyard if you love dressing up and putting together a great spread for your guests. You can be as casual or elaborate as you’d like to be – whether you sit on a picnic blanket or decorate a dining area to the nines.
One of the most fun things about a picnic or outdoor tea party is creating the menu. You can play it simple with sandwiches, or create a chic Parisian assortment of mini pastries and cheeses.
A tablecloth, china place settings, candlesticks, and fresh florals are items you probably have in your home already that you can use to decorate. And if you want to buy something new, you could always consider finding antique pieces. It adds a fun challenge to find pieces that you love and creates a more unique overall look in the end with your vintage finds.
Alternatively, if you prefer to host in the evening, an outdoor dinner party is a perfect solution. Alter your menu to include items like charcuterie boards, appetizers like baked brie, and a summer-appropriate main dish.
Add some lights around your dining area or candles on the table to create an intimate setting. Bring a speaker outside for some added ambiance, and you’re all ready to go! If you want to go the extra mile, you can search on Pinterest for place-setting inspiration. Go the extra mile and turn a blank piece of paper into a menu for your dinner. There are all kinds of themes online that you can take inspiration from, no matter your personal style.
Related: How to Dress for a Tea Party: The Definitive Guide to Tea Party Fashion
6. Gardening
Gardening is not only a way to beautify your outdoor space – it’s also a great way to decompress and take care of your mental health, as well as your physical health. The fact is that gardening can be hard work, but the results are well worth your time and sweat. Seeing your favorite plants grow and thrive is a rewarding feeling that will bring a smile to your face every time you step outside.
There are many different ways that you can choose to incorporate a backyard garden into your space. You may prefer a functional one that produces foods and herbs that you can eat. Maybe you’d like to plant an ornamental one (which also does help pollinators!), or a combination of the two, like a pottager garden. Whatever type of garden you desire, it’s a great way to beautify your yard while enjoying the process along the way.
If you don’t have enough backyard space for a garden, there are other ways to get creative to get your plant fix. For instance, trellises that can be leaned against the side of your house can be a great, space-effective solution. Varieties such as Bougainvillea, Clematis, Morning Glory, Honeysuckle, and Climbing Hydrangea all do well climbing a trellis. If you prefer to grow vegetables, tomatoes and cucumbers can also climb a trellis.
Related: Create Some Backyard Privacy Landscaping With These Beautiful Trellises
Small Scale Gardening
Next, you might consider window box planters. An added benefit is that these are great for your curb appeal as well! You can also use them year-round, filling them in the fall or winter with seasonal items. In colder months, try filling your boxes with artificial plants, or garlands for the holiday.
A third option you might consider with limited space is standing garden beds. There are even varieties with wheels if you need the ability to move them out of the way or maybe into the sun or shade. Whether you’re planting your favorite annuals or starting an herb garden, these standing beds are a great solution when you don’t have a large backyard.
Related: French Garden Styles To Inspire Your Own Backyard Design
Summer Fun in Your Own Backyard
You don’t have to go far to enjoy your summer this year. From the comfort of your backyard, you can recreate everything from a bonfire on the beach to sleepaway camp to a chic Parisian cafe. And you don’t have to break the bank doing it!
Many of the activities above have a small cost to start, but are ones that can then be utilized again and again – all summer long. Backyards are a great space you don’t want to waste – and if you don’t have a backyard, you can always recreate some of these activities in a park or other green space. There’s nothing like enjoying the fresh air and sunshine, and I for one can’t wait!
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Great post! We are definitely looking to make the most of our outdoor space this year!!! My garden is doing great!
Gardening is such a fun way to enjoy the outdoors. Happy to hear that!