How To Make The Most Of Your Yard This Summer

With the sun making its presence known longer and the temperatures rising, who can blame you for wanting to just get out there and soak it up? We’re rounding up some innovative ways to enjoy your front and back yard this summer.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

The driveway cocktail hour – Invite your neighbors to bring their lawn chairs and favorite beverages to the end of their driveways to sit for a spell and share stories.

A sprinkler spree – Set up the sprinkler in the front yard and encourage the kids to run through it while the lawn gets watered. Be sure to equip them with water balloons for added enjoyment.

Street scavenger hunt – Keep the young ones busy for hours with an organized scavenger hunt to find and check off items that might be located on your block. Here are some great ideas for scavenger hunt themes.

Neighbourhood plant exchange – Ask neighbors to plant seedlings from their yard in small pots (use popsicle sticks to identify the plant) and set them at the end of their driveways. Everyone can make the rounds taking a plant from each home and leaving a new one in its place. It’s a great way to add variety to your garden, greet friends you may not have seen over the winter months and use up that stack of plant containers from the nursery.

The little library – Little libraries are popping up everywhere, and summer is the ideal time to stretch out on a lounger and get your nose into a good book. Set up a protective shelter for books you’ve read at the end of your driveway and invite your neighbors to help themselves, while sharing a book of their own.

Patio potluck – The backyard potluck just never goes out of style. Invite a small group of friends to enjoy an al fresco meal with you and bring a dish to share to lighten the prep work.

The outdoor fitness class – Ask a yoga or meditation teacher to teach a casual class to a small group of friends or your family in your backyard near the pool or in a peaceful spot with the relaxing sounds from a water feature in the background.

Movie night – Set up the outdoor living room and extend your time outdoors. You can put up a white sheet, paint a screen on the side of a garage, or buy an outdoor screen. Set up a few comfortable chairs, add pillows and blankets and get the projector and popcorn.

Game time – Create a sense of play throughout your yard with games like Yardzee, Boche Ball, Badminton, Corn Hole, Horseshoes, and Ladder Golf – the list is endless, and so is the fun.

We’ve been cooped up inside for too long. It’s time to seize the summer days (and evenings) and discover new ways to enjoy your outdoor spaces.