Summer Fun in Your Own Backyard

During the warm summer months, many families take advantage of the time off from school to take a vacation to someplace far away. While there are many good reasons to get away from home and see more of the world during the summer, there are also plenty of opportunities for summer fun in your own backyard. With a relatively small investment and some pre-planning, you can arrange fun activities for your family in your own backyard and forge lifelong memories.

1. Install a Pool

Why make a trek to the community center when you can have a private pool in your own backyard? Above-ground pools Pittsburgh area have several advantages over the in-ground variety in terms of lower upfront costs and easy installation. For safety's sake, some models also include locking gate options and built-in fencing.

2. Put on a Show

Homegrown theatricals are a great way to encourage imaginative play. To give the proceedings the feeling of a grown-up stage performance, you can construct a simple stage in the backyard complete with moveable curtains.

3. Enjoy a Fire Pit

You can install a fire pit directly into the ground or purchase a freestanding model. Either way, you can enjoy a campfire night, complete with songs, stories, and home-toasted marshmallows, any time you want. Just check the local ordinances first to ensure a home fire pit is legal.

4. Sleep Out Under the Stars

Every child should experience an adventure like this at least once in his or her life, and the best part is that it costs virtually nothing. All you need is a tarp and some sleeping bags or bedrolls; a tent is optional. Be sure to check the weather forecast beforehand.

5. Have a Scavenger Hunt

Scavenger hunts are fun for everyone. Your kids will have a blast searching for hidden treasures, and you'll enjoy yourself while thinking up clues and searching out hiding places.

Vacation trips are fine, but you shouldn't spend the whole summer away from home. The memories you make with your family in your own backyard this summer can endure forever.