From oversized yard games, to sports in the pool, summer is about spending time with the family… and a great way to inject some fun, and maybe a little friendly competition, into your routine… is through GAME TIME! We share creative ways to play whether you’re in your backyard or on-the-go.
GET YOUR YARD GAMES ON
From giant size versions of classic games like Connect Four, to glow-in-the-dark darts so the fun can continue into the night… get your family in the backyard playing games together. Whether it’s bocce ball or a competitive game of slamball, yard games are a great way to get the kids moving, and keep parents entertained too. Plus they don’t take up too much space to play, or store, but add the perfect structure needed to those endless afternoons in the sun.
We turn to Macy’s because they have so many great options for games from kids through adults. Our family favorite is the Oversized Yahtzee because the dice are so big, math is involved and we get pretty competitive so it’s great to burn off energy on the grass. You can’t go wrong with any games from Black Series, many of the games from lawn darts to hover soccer glow in the dark, and games like trampoline slam ball and flag football allow for the neighbors to come over and play too!
Don’t forget about classics like croquet, horseshoes and tumbling towers that require a little skill and provide a whole lot of fun. Macy’s is the perfect spot to secure all!
PARTY AT THE POOL
Summer is hot so cooling down in the water is a must. Many have pools in their backyard, and if not, you can always bring in an inflatable oasis, or take a quick trip to the American River or Folsom Lake. And while some may want to lounge or tan on super cool rafts, others are looking for a little more action. Now you can play everything from table tennis to cornhole, basketball and volleyball — all on the water. Plus LED light up options mean more swimming since the temps still can be close to triple digits at dark.
PoolCandy is a family-owned, friend-operated company on a mission to innovate and entertain! They are a fashion forward toy development company that produces exclusive, premium quality, one-of-a-kind products. With pool floats, rafts, games, sunning pools, tubes and more, PoolCandy is the supreme destination for all things outdoor fun. Available on PoolCandy.net at your local Leslie’s Pool Store.
TABLET TECH THAT TEACHES
Let’s get real about screen time.. kids love video games and over the summer, sometimes parents lean a little more on tech since there are longer hours to keep kids entertained. So what about tech that teaches so your kids don’t even realize they are continuing to learn while they are playing fun games on the tablet.
Reading for example is foundational for all and a good book can transport you on any adventure… so choose screen time that educates through game-like fun mixed with hands-on technology.
We love Osmo because it combines hands-on learning with digital play and their new Reading Adventure series turns the power of speech recognition into a personalized reading journey for your child. Developed with educators, the game adapts to meet the skill level of your child, providing personalized instruction as they progress. And we love that it’s not all digital… there are real physical books, an interactive wand, and activity pages.
Osmo also just recently named Levar Burton as their Chief Reading Officer, who families will recognize from his long run with Reading Rainbow show. Burton will share insights and information with parents and educators on ways to inspire kids to increase their reading time. A champion of early childhood education, Burton will also make special appearances to engage with kids, families, and educators in an effort to reduce the literacy gap.
SPORTS AND SUN PROTECTION
Of course the summer means plenty of sports outside too… from pickup basketball games to neighborhood flag football, soccer and more, not only are our children in the sun all day but so are parents, either cheering on their kiddos or participating themselves which is why it’s so important to protect our skin. Many times sunscreen can be quite a fight with littles so we’re big fans of clothing that has UPF built right into the fabric. This way families can stay active and still be comfortable and focused on fun rather than worried about sunburn later.
Whether you are hanging out in the backyard or headed to the park, it is so important to make sure that you are sun safe. Even when it is overcast, the sun and its intensity can be deceptive. It was pretty shocking for us to learn that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer over the course of a lifetime, and there is a 300% increase in skin cancer incidences over the past 40 years!
While our kids have gotten pretty good about putting sunscreen on their faces, the whole family loves the sun protective clothing from Coolibar. With UPF 50+ built into the fabric, we know we are staying safe while also looking stylish. Tested more than any other brand, endorsed by experts worldwide and recommended by dermatologists, Coolibar industry-leading fabrics block 98% of UVA/UVB rays to provide you with ultimate UPF 50+ protection guaranteed for the life of the garment as set by ASTM/AATCC standards. The protection also won’t wash out or lessen in the chlorinated water.
Plus we love the feel of the fabrics and the ease at which we can still do everything from play soccer to chase bubbles, ride bikes and build sand castles. And Coolibar isn’t just for the kids! They have so many great fashion options for adults too. From tops and shorts to dresses and hats, there is even a line for golf enthusiasts created in partnership with David Leadbetter. We love that we are sun safe whatever activity we do outside.
