Maryland Summers give us longer days of sunlight and warm weather to enjoy many outdoor activities. There are many easy to do activities to stay active without having to spend time traveling or require extra money. Here is a list of fun activities for youth and adults of any age.
- Get Creative with Sidewalk Chalk! Draw an obstacle course like the one below; to run, jump, spin and hop the walkway to and from your door. Design a maze of obstacles on a sidewalk to challenge friends, family, and yourself to find the best way to the finish line. Use the one below.
- Ball sports and activities! There are many ways a ball can be used in summer activities. How many games can you come up with? Here are some ideas:
-- Pickle in the middle. Two people pass the ball to one another, while the player in the middle tries to grab it.
-- Volleyball, kickball, catch! The list is endless.
-- In the air! Gently tap a beach ball in the air to see how many taps can be done without letting it touch the ground.
- Jump Rope for Joy! Jump rope games are fun and enjoyable. A jump rope is a great way to stay busy. There are many different games that can be played. Here are some different games to play: Jump contest! Who can do the most jumps without hitting their feet? Time one another to see who can jump the longest!
-- Snake in the grass. Have one or two family members shake the rope along the ground. Others can jump over until their
feet touch the rope. Once caught, it’s your turn to shake the rope!
-- Practice shaping the rope into letters. Jump the Mountain. Have two people hold the rope just above the ground. Jump over
the rope raising it slightly each time. How high can you get?
- Grow herbs in containers. Gather recycled items like old coffee cans, milk jugs, plastic/paper cups. Add a little soil and seeds from a store. Keep the container by a sunny window or outdoors. Water the herbs every other day and watch them grow!
- Build a fort! Use recycled materials and cardboard boxes to build a fort in your backyard. Kids can decorate their fort after it is built. Raining outside? A fort can also be built inside the house with blankets, pillows and cushions too!
- Serve it up during meals! Turn your home kitchen and table into a restaurant during mealtime. Give children the hours the “at home” restaurant open and close. Assign everyone jobs of chef, sous chef, server, and bus person. Let your child choose a recipe, create a handwritten menu, and help with preparing the meal. Show your child how to serve plates during meal times to your family. Show your child how to set the table, use serving utensils, plate, deliver, and clear place settings.
Make healthy snacks and frozen treats using 100% fruit juices and fresh cut pieces of fruit. Kids can help make their own snacks and treats with their favorite summer fruits. Recipes like Insects on a Log, Watermelon Pops, and Mango Smoothie are a great start.
