Backyards and Kid Activities: Some Tips

​We’re full swing into summer and the vacations, activities, and outdoor fun are all underway. For the days and weekends you and your family are home, sometimes keeping the kids entertained can be a challenge. That’s where the trusty backyard can come in handy.
 
Whether it’s day or night, you can use your backyard as a sort of “playground” where you can set up activities that will keep your kids happy, cool, and having fun. Check out some of our tips on the things you can do with your kids this summer while at home.

• Weekly Themed Storyland: Instead of doing the same old thing every week, you can decorate and create a theme for your backyard. For example, you can use the theme from your child’s favorite book and hang posters, print characters and put them on the frame of the awning. Imagine hanging – with string or other awning safe material – your kid’s favorite movie or book characters all around the edges of the shade structure. Then in the grassy area, you can put up other figures and objects that match the theme. Your children will love it!
• Movie Night: Set up a screen in the backyard or utilize the side of the house and get one of those portable projectors and have a movie night. Throw out a few blankets, pop some popcorn, grab a glass of lemonade, and enjoy the evening under the stars. 

• ​S’mores Night: If you don’t already have one of those mini fire pits that can stand on their own, it might be time to get one. The pits are great for doing things like a s’mores roast with the kids. (Just keep fire safe and ensure that the flames are not under your awning or near flammable things). Doing a s’mores roast in the backyard is a great way to get the kids to come outside and away from television, phone, apps, or video games.
• Camping: You don’t have to drive off into the mountains or some other far off place to go camping. You can set up a tent right in your own backyard! Using the s’mores night idea and camping in the backyard can be a whole lot of fun! This is also a great way to introduce your little ones to the concept for camping and preparing them for trips down the road. 

​The above are just a few of the many creative things you can do with your kids at home and in the safety and comfort of your own backyard. If you have an awnings, this is a great anchor that you can use to center your backyard activities around and also keep the kids cool and protected from the sun’s powerful UV rays.
 
For more information about awnings, feel free to contact us. For more information about what we do and other shade structures, visit us online at American Awning & Blind Co. at http://americanawningabc.com. (Our California Contractors License is #999050). Or give us a call at 800-654-5933. You can also email us at info@americanawningabc.com.