Summer Outdoor Play...Say Yes to the Mess!

The best summer days are spent with sand, dirt, and water. Summer is the time to say yes to the mess. Bury toys in the sand, make mud pies, and splash in water.

If I had to pick one item to purchase for outdoor play, it would be a sandbox. We've had 2 sandboxes over 15 summers and we still take it out every year. Many toys have come and gone because my kids got bored or outgrew them. The sandbox remains. I suggest a table option with sides for water and sand. A cover will help keep bugs at bay and unwanted critters from visiting.

For playing in the dirt, my kids have a designated area where they can dig away until their hearts’ content. No worry about digging up vegetation or bothering sprinkler heads. It’s a great place to find a use for bowls missing lids, old sand shovels, or frisbee freebies. Anything you are willing to sacrifice to the dirt. Once it goes outside, it stays outside. Add a bucket of water and you’ve doubled the fun.

The star of summer…water! A good pool day is a summer staple, but not always available. Our favorite water activities include running through the sprinklers, washing the cars, water balloons, and painting just about anything with a bucket of water and a clean brush. Don’t forget the sidewalk. It dries and you get to start all over again!