Tag: Outside Fun

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For the Home Home Outside Fun

Installing A Swimming Pool Is So Much More Than The Main Event

Few things have as large of an impact on your home’s curb appeal as installing a swimming pool. The trouble is that, with the average swimming pool costing somewhere around the $35,000 mark, this isn’t exactly a home improvement you’ll want to jump into without thought.

Yet, no matter how much planning you do for your pool itself, installing a pool is about way more than just the main event. Whether you want some peaceful dusk-based swims or your kids have been begging you for a swimming pool for years, you need to consider the following before you make a decision here. 

***This post contains affiliate links. It costs you nothing extra, but I may receive a small commission.***

Installing A Swimming Pool
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Things to Think About When Installing A Swimming Pool

1. Where are you going to put pool supplies?

It’s one thing making room for your pool, but it’s another to ensure that you have somewhere practical for your inevitably long list of pool supplies. After all, going back and forth from the house every time you need to do something isn’t fun or practical. 

Instead, supplies like a pool skimmer, vacuum, net, test kit, and plenty more, need somewhere, preferably a small shed or pool house, in the vicinity of your poolside. Fail to factor for this at the planning stages, and you will likely regret it later.

2. What about safety measures?

If you’re installing a pool to keep your kids happy, then safety measures must be a top priority. Forget that slide and funky design your youngsters have been bugging you about. Instead, factor in things like fencing, dead-bolt locks, pool covers, and waterproofing supplies for your around-pool flooring. These are extra expenses to factor in, but they’re also essential to the success of your pool. Making sure safety measures are in place before you let your kids loose could save lives and prevent you from pulling your hair out. 

3. Who’s taking care of the finishing touches?

It’s easy to fixate on the technicalities of building your pool, but an untouched expanse of pool in place of what used to be lawn or flowers can quickly feel like a mistake if you don’t also focus on finishing touches. Fence planters for flowers, palm trees dotted around your pool area, or even a wooden structure that frames the whole thing are just a few examples of what you could do to change this. Even something as simple as installing a few fairy lights could help. Either way, you’ll want to add finishing touches if you want everyone to fall in love with this pool. 

Installing A Swimming Pool

Installing a pool can be stressful. However, it’ll become even more so if you forget that these additions are what make your swimming pool something great. Do you have any other tips to add? Leave a comment and let us know.

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For the Home Home

Creating An Everlasting Impression With Your Home’s Curb Appeal

The front of your house is the first thing people see when they drive by. It’s also the first impression you make on new neighbors, potential buyers, and any visitors. So, if your curb appeal needs updating or refreshing, now is a great time to do so. These tips can help you make an everlasting impression with the front of your home, setting the tone for the inside.

Curb Appeal
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Why Curb Appeal Is Important  

Many people think that a home’s front exterior doesn’t matter, but it does. The first impression you give to someone who may want to purchase your home or rent from you can be the difference between them walking away or committing as a future tenant or buyer.

Plus, your guests will notice the front of your home, too. Your front door speaks volumes about how well maintained your property is, so make sure it looks great at all times. In addition, if you have an open house, then having a nice-looking entrance will increase interest and show potential buyers that they are going into their dream house. Don’t forget this, especially during spring and summertime when the competition is high.

Home Exterior

Now that we know why your curb appeal matters, you must understand what makes up a home’s exterior. You can split it into two categories: architectural and landscaping elements.

Architectural elements would include your porch, rooflines, windows, and door, while landscaping describes plants, flowers, trees, and hardscapes such as walkways and patios. Often people focus mainly on their landscaping and forget about the other vital features of their home. Make sure you don’t do this! You’ll want to have a good balance to create an inviting entrance for guests.

Creating An Everlasting Impression with Your Home’s Curb Appeal

Money Well Spent 

Updating your home’s curb appeal doesn’t have to break the bank. There are many ways you can do it on a budget. Painting your door or trim is one way to add some life to your entrance, although nothing beats the look of stunning and secure front doors. You could also update your window treatments with new hardware, curtains, or blinds. 

Adding plants and flowers is another great way to improve curb appeal without spending a lot of money. If done correctly, they can even increase the value of your home. Consider doing some landscaping work because it is worth it in the long run. Some things you may want to consider changing are your driveway and sidewalks and adding new plants and flowers. These changes will give your home a major makeover – it’s always better to think long-term with this one!

Updating Landscape 

Another easy way to improve your curb appeal is by adding some new landscaping. For example, planting flowers in flower beds or adding shrubs and trees can enhance the look of your home from the outside. You can also add decorations such as statues, birdbaths, or wind chimes to make your yard look more charming.

Curb Appeal
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Vinyl Siding

If you have vinyl siding, you can add a fresh coat of paint to your home’s exterior. Choose an earthy color like natural gray or cream and complement it with lighter shades in the trim around doors and windows. If painting isn’t for you, consider going with wood siding that naturally weathers over time.

The key is to do whatever works best for your style preferences, but remember not to be afraid of change! It takes some inside-outside coordination – both literally and figuratively speaking – but updating your curb appeal doesn’t have to break the bank or keep you from enjoying yourself while doing so.

Professionals 

Hire a professional contractor or landscaper if you aren’t too handy yourself. With their expertise, they can help guide you towards making the best decision on which changes need to be made. 

Create an Impression with Your Home’s Curb Appeal

No matter who you are or where you live, having great curb appeal is always a plus for your home. It shows that you take pride in your property and shows guests and potential buyers that they’re walking into something special.

Luckily, updating your home’s curb appeal doesn’t have to be expensive. There are many ways you can do it cheaply without sacrificing quality. Just remember to focus on your entrance’s architectural and landscaping elements when making changes so that everything looks cohesive. If you’re feeling lost or need some professional help, don’t be afraid to reach out and get some guidance.

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For the Home Home Outside Fun

6 of the Best Ways to Seriously Upgrade Your Outdoor Space

Most people tend to treat their backyard as little more than an afterthought. However, that’s the wrong approach to take. After all, there’s so much you can do to upgrade your outdoor space. With a few simple modifications, you can turn it into a place you enjoy. With a few changes, you can transform it into your favorite part of your property. These upgrades are some of the best you can do, and it won’t be long before you’re basking in your new, awesome backyard.

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Upgrade Your Outdoor Space
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How to Seriously Upgrade Your Outdoor Space

Hire A Landscaper

It’s possible to get your hands dirty and handle the landscaping yourself. However, unless you’re willing to dedicate plenty of time to make it look good (and have the skills to do so), then it would probably be better to hire a landscaper to do the job for you. They’re much more affordable than you might think, and they can help to make your yard not just look presentable but to look outstanding. Worth every penny.

Create a Social Space

There’s nothing better than inviting friends and family over for a few hours of outdoor fun. Spending time with your family under a shining sun in a beautifully landscaped yard will bring so much joy and relaxation. However, you’ll need to create a social space in your yard for this to happen. Creating a social space isn’t overly complicated and only requires a few things. If you have a patio, pergola retractable awning, outdoor furniture, and a grill, you’ll have everything you need to host your loved ones. All those things will also allow you to enjoy your yard when you have no visitors. 

Add a Water Feature to Upgrade Your Outdoor Space

If there’s one thing that can help make an outdoor space to the next level, it’s a water feature. A water feature makes the outdoor space feel zen and calm. It can also invite some wildlife into your yard. Picture stepping out of your back door on a fresh spring morning, with a cup of coffee in your hand, listening to the sound of running water and passing birds. It’s an image made in our dreams. 

Add Lighting

Making the most of your outdoor space requires lighting. You can choose from regular outdoor lights, string lights, or you can add some twinkling lights. With lights, you and your guests will enjoy using the space day and night.

Summer Goodness 

You’ll want to make your yard a great space in both the warm and cold months. The mechanics of enjoying your yard in the summer is pretty basic. The sun does most of the work, after all. But a good grill and hammock can help you enjoy the season to the max. You’ll also want to have plenty of seating and a table or two.

If you have kids, there are other things you could implement for summer fun. Consider installing a swing set or slide. Kids also love jumping on the trampoline but get one with a net all the way around for safety purposes.

Other ideas for outdoor fun for kids include:

Winter Goodness

You can still have an enjoyable yard in the winter months when temperatures are frigid. A fire pit will help you spend winter evenings outside, looking at the stars. If you wanted to step things up, you could consider installing a jacuzzi or hot tub. There are not too many things better than spending winter days surrounded by snow and being immersed in hot water. 

How to Seriously Upgrade Your Outdoor Space

If you want to upgrade your outdoor space, these tips can help. You can make your outdoor space perfect in the summer and winter, allowing you to utilize it year-round. Do you have any other tips? Leave a comment and let us know!

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For the Home Home Outside Fun

Should You Install a Pool – or Buy a Hot Tub Instead? Pros and Cons

Swimming pools and hot tubs can both bring a sense of luxury to a home. They’re both great for having a soak in the summer, but which one is worth installing? Ultimately, it depends on your goals and the available space, but whether you should install a pool or hot tub also depends on a few other factors. This post explains the reasons for considering each one.

***This post contains affiliate links. It costs you nothing extra, but I may receive a small commission.***

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Why install a pool?

Pools are ideal for avid swimmers – you can stay fit by practicing your lengths at home. On a hot summer’s day, they’re also great for lounging around in, and they can make a great party piece.

Kids love swimming pools, and while some parents worry about safety concerns, there are various measures you can take to make a pool safer when not in use.

Pools come in all shapes and sizes. You can work with pool installation companies to find the right shape for your backyard. One surprising aspect is that you can even build an indoor pool by converting your basement.

You may not get as much use out of an outdoor pool if you live in a cooler climate unless you’re willing to spend extra on a heated pool. Of course, indoor pools can also solve this issue but can be more expensive to build if you need to make other structural changes.

One important thing to remember: if you move to a new home, you can’t take your pool with you. A pool is generally only worth investing in if you plan on staying in your home long-term. However, it could add value to your home. Inflatable pools are an exception to this, and they’re also a great budget option.

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Why buy a hot tub?

You cannot swim in a hot tub, but you can spend plenty of time relaxing. These water features are built specifically for lounging in, so bear this in mind. Like a pool, they can be great party pieces. Or you can use them to relax alone after a hard day’s work.

Hot tubs are smaller than pools, and you may find that they’re better suited for a smaller space. You can also take a hot tub with you if you move to a new home.

While you can get a hot tub installed as a permanent feature, portable hot tubs are more popular. You should still note that transporting them may not always be easy, especially if it’s a large hot tub.

There are various models to explore. While you can invest in some large and expensive hot tubs, there are also cheaper inflatable options if you’re on a tight budget. 

Both – or neither?

If you’ve got the money, there’s nothing to stop you from buying both. You could even build a swim spa, which is a combination of the two. It’s important to note that a swim spa can be expensive, of course.

Of course, there are instances where you may want to avoid both. Pools and hot tubs both require a lot of maintenance – even the cheaper inflatable options. Make sure that the usage you get out of them is worth the upkeep and maintenance.

While many people like the idea of a pool or hot tub, some people soon regret these purchases. The regret sets in when they realize the amount of work needed to keep them safe and hygienic. Make sure you’re prepared to keep them maintained and consider everything before you install a pool or hot tub. 

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Adulting For the Home Home How To Life

Have You Fallen Out Of Love With Your Backyard? Here’s What You Can Do

Your yard can add a whole new dimension to the home and become your favorite part of the property. Sadly, it is easy to lose the love felt for your external surroundings. Now more than ever, this can have a truly damaging impact. If you have fallen out of love with your backyard, now is the time to restore it.

***This post contains affiliate links. It costs you nothing extra, but I may receive a small commission.***

Fallen Out Of Love With Your Backyard
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What to do if You Have Fallen Out Of Love With Your Backyard

1. Repurpose Yard Structures

New investments will unlock the full potential of your yard. Before taking those steps, though, you can look to get more out of your existing features. Finding new uses for your pool house is a wise move as it can bring a whole new function to the yard. Aside from giving you a new source of joy, it’s a move that can overcome your current disillusion. The overall impact can be huge and provides the perfect platform to build on.

2. Enhance The Patio

As well as building structures, embrace your deck, patio, and paved area for entertainment. A flyover roof can transform the patio by offering cover from the sun, rain, or wind. Meanwhile, the extra height is used to your advantage, creating flexibility to control airflow and lighting. This part of the backyard can benefit from new rattan furniture, a projector screen installation, or a new BBQ pit. As long as moves suit your personal preferences, it will be a success. 

Fallen Out Of Love With Your Backyard
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3. Extend Backyard Time

Spending more time in a garden doing things you enjoy will naturally enhance your feelings towards the space. There are several simple ways to encourage this outcome. Some of the main items that you may look to purchase include garden heaters and external lighting. The ability to enjoy your backyard with added comfort into the evenings or through the colder months can work wonders for your love of the yard. Whether you are looking for alone time, family time, or hosting a gathering with friends, your yard can be the perfect space.

4. Grow Produce

A backyard space should achieve several goals. Achieving self-satisfaction should be one of the top items on the agenda, as it will bolster your love of the entire home. Growing fruit and veg is one of the very best solutions. It will fill you with a sense of pride, especially if you’ve never had a green thumb in the past. Likewise, it forces you to spend more time outside, and breathing in the cleaner air will make you happier. When you can see that the yard activities enhance your quality of life, any disillusion will fade.

5. Reduce The Maintenance

In truth, the thought of transforming the backyard probably won’t worry you. The real pain point comes from having to keep repeating the processes. Once you stop, the overgrown lawns and other unkempt elements will leave you feeling blue. You can regain control of the situation by adding an artificial lawn. Likewise, adding some low-maintenance trees or focusing on features like patios will serve you well. 

6. Make it a Space for the Entire Family

If you have kids, make sure you add some fun elements for them, too. You can’t enjoy your time if your children are whining and having a bad time, so make it an oasis for your entire family to enjoy. Add a swing set or play structure, or help your kids put a garden together. If you can encourage their love of the yard, yours will increase, too.


Infographic Provided by NewTechWood America, Inc.

Fallen Out Of Love With Your Backyard

Your yard can be your favorite place at home. Make the changes that allow you to use your space and fully embrace the possibilities. What suggestions would you add? Leave a comment and let us know!

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Big Kid Big kid fun Family Activities Health Healthy Living How To Parenting

3 Ways to Support Your Child’s Sports Hobbies and Encourage Physical Activity

Support Your Child's Sports Hobbies

It’s normal for children to fall in love with sports at a young age. While many children find themselves stuck indoors playing video games, there are plenty out playing sports and joining teams. If you want to encourage healthy habits like sports, you’ll need to support them throughout the entire journey. So, here are a couple of tips to help support your child’s sports hobbies.

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How to Support Your Child’s Sports Hobbies

Accept The Type of Sport That Your Child Wants to Try

Your child is going to want to try a variety of sports. Whenever they see something cool on the internet or TV they’re going to want to try it. Or, when they see their friends playing something, they’ll want to check it out. Even if it’s something like boxing, swimming, or even car racing, there are going to be sports that you might be concerned about because it could put them at risk of an injury.

Whatever your child wants to do, support them and ensure they get the help they need to safely try it. Don’t force your child into a particular sport, either. If they suddenly don’t enjoy something, don’t question them too much because they can always return to it later.

Understand That it’s a Commitment on Your Side Too

When the sports season starts for our children, it’s important that you’re there to support them at all times. You must commit as much as your child is, and this often means attending all of their games.

You may have to choose between attending a work-related event and showing up at your child’s next match. In a situation like this, you should almost always choose your child over your work.

Prepare For Your Child to Get Hurt, Because Eventually They Will

Sports are physical activities, and that means your child will eventually get hurt. Many parents will do everything they can to prevent this from happening, but sooner or later, it’ll happen. Your child might get tackled, sprain an ankle, or they might even damage a muscle.

Whatever the situation is, prepare to support your children as they recover. Plus, we need to educate our children about safety in sports. You might want to look for specialists such as a podiatrist that understands sports injuries, and you might want to learn a few first aid skills yourself so that you can quickly deal with any potential injuries during practice.

Support Your Child’s Sports Hobbies

Supporting your child’s sports hobbies can be time-consuming, but these tips can give you do it confidently.

Leave a comment and share some other ways to support your child’s sports hobbies! 🙂

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Adulting Decor For the Home How To Outside Fun Spring Summer

5 Easy Ways To Make The Most Of Your Balcony

Make The Most Of Your Balcony

Does your apartment or house have a balcony? By making a few improvements, you could turn this space into the ultimate outdoor retreat. You have many options when it comes to what you want to do to the space, and you can truly make the most of your balcony by implementing some new ideas.

***This post contains affiliate links. It costs you nothing extra, but I may receive a small commission.***

Make The Most Of A Balcony
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How to Make The Most Of Your Balcony

1. Add Some Cozy Chairs

If you want to sit out on your balcony, you’ll need some chairs. An outdoor lounge suite might be out of the question if you only have a tiny balcony, however, you needn’t settle for cheap plastic chairs.

Cozy options such as these Adirondack chairs from The Best Adirondack Chair Company could be the perfect choice for reading a book or sunbathing. You may even be able to fit a loveseat on your balcony for romantic home dates with a partner. If you’re very limited for space, a pair of cozy bar stools with footrests could be an option. 

2. Add a Small Table

A small table could allow you to eat meals on your balcony or even work on a laptop. You could consider a simple rattan side table or a small glass coffee table. If you’ve got bar stools on your balcony, you may need a slightly higher table – it may be possible to fix a table to your balcony rail. Collapsible tables could be another option for saving space. 

3. Grow Some Outdoor Plants

If you want to get into gardening but don’t have a backyard, you could still use your balcony as a space for growing outdoor plants. Narrow potted plants are the best option as they don’t take up too much room.

You can also hang flower boxes from the railings or hang flower baskets on the walls. Many different colorful flowers can grow in boxes and baskets including begonias, fuchsia, and geraniums. 

4. Light it Up

If you want to enjoy your balcony in the evening, outdoor lighting is essential. You don’t want anything too bright, as your balcony is likely only to be a small space. Ambient and low lighting options could be worth looking into.

You could hang string lights across the railings or from the ceiling. Alternatively, you could add some wall lights. These lights could be battery powered or solar powered to save you energy and reduce the need for electrical wiring. If you live in a rented apartment, you may not be able to get permission to wire in lights, anyway.

5. Install Some Heating

Your balcony could start to get cool in the evening. Adding an outdoor heat source could help to keep the space warm. A fire pit is unfortunately not a possibility, but you may be able to consider an electric patio heater.

There are electric wall heaters that can be fixed to walls and tabletop electric heaters that you can buy. These outdoor heat sources don’t take up a lot of space and are perfect for keeping you warm. Some of these are solar-powered, preventing the need to wire them up.

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Make The Most Of Your Balcony

Your balcony can be the perfect place to spend time relaxing. Envision yourself reading a book or enjoying a drink at the end of a long day. Make the most of your balcony so that you can enjoy the space that you have.

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Big Kid Big kid fun Family Activities Free Activities Infant/Toddler Learning Kindergarten Age Outside Fun Parenting Spring

5 Exciting Spring Activities to Enjoy with the Kids

spring activities

As the sun begins to shine and the temperature gets a little warmer, there are many activities you can start doing with your kids. While winter weather can make it tricky to get out and about, springtime opens up a wide range of possibilities. To begin planning your spring activities schedule, take a look at these five spring activities to enjoy with your kids.

Spring Activities
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Spring Activities For Families

1. Go on Nature Walks

Not only are nature walks a lot of fun, but they’re also suitable for kids of all ages and won’t cost you a thing. Before you set off, create a checklist of things for your kids to look out for. From different types of leaves to flowers and insects, you’ll never run out of things to search for.

Any environment can be suitable for a nature walk but, if you want to turn your walk into a whole day’s adventure, take a trip to local beauty spots, forests, or woodlands. 

2. Focus on Fitness

Encouraging your kids to be active is a great way to enhance their health and well-being. What’s more – burning off some energy can help them feel more relaxed at home, too!

Make fitness fun by incorporating age-appropriate equipment and toys, like Pony Cycle or a swingball set. When you’ve got the equipment at home, it’s easy to keep your kids entertained and active. 

There are also exercise videos for kids on YouTube for rainy days. My kids like to turn on fun kid songs that they can dance to, which is a fun way to get active, too.

3. Host a Treasure Hunt

Every kid enjoys hunting for treasure, so you can be sure that this will be hit. Hide prizes and clues around the yard and encourage your kids to find as much treasure as they can.

You can adjust the difficulty of the clues (and hiding spots!) depending on your kids’ ages but, if you have pets, make sure they don’t find the treasure first. If the weather lets you down, it’s easy to host a treasure hunt indoors too, so keep this in mind for rainy days. 

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4. Make a Birdhouse

If you have an outdoor space, you can inspire your kids by helping them to make a birdhouse this spring. If you’re into crafts, then you might have what it takes to design and produce a birdhouse from scratch.

Alternatively, you can buy a pre-prepared kit and help your kids put it together and decorate it. Once it’s in place, you can have endless fun putting food out and watching the birds that come to visit. 

5. Create a Fairy Garden

Let your kids unleash their imagination and create their very own fairy garden. If you have a spare flowerpot or even a plastic container, you can help your kids fill it with soil and plant flowers and seeds. With a few sprinkles of glitter and some optional extras like rocks, paperchains, and ornaments, your kids can create the ultimate fairy garden. 

Spring Activities for Kids 2021

With so many great activities to enjoy, springtime can be an exciting time for kids and parents. By keeping things fresh and introducing new activities regularly, you can ensure that your kids will be entertained right through to the summer. 

What spring activities do you have planned for your kids? Leave a comment and let me know!

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Big Kid Big kid fun Family Activities For the Home Home How To Kindergarten Age Outside Fun Parenting Sensory Play Spring Summer Toddler and Preschool Age Fun

5 Easy Ways to Get Your Kids Outside in the Yard

Get Kids Outside

Spending time outside is very beneficial for people of all ages. Sometimes children may lack interest in going outside, however, and be more into electronics and indoor games. If you’re finding it challenging to get the kids away from those screens and out in the fresh air, there are plenty of ways to get your kids outside.

Spring is the best time of year to plant a few vegetables or even welcome wildlife. You can create a sensory, exciting space outside that will entice even the most indoorsy children. Here are five easy ways to get kids out in the yard.

***This post contains affiliate links. It costs you nothing extra, but I may receive a small commission.***

Get Kids Outside
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How to Get Your Kids Outside

1. Yard Games

Invest in a couple of yard games. You can play these together as a family, or your children can invite friends over. Add a personal touch with these custom cornhole bags, for example, https://www.cornholeworldwide.com/products/cornhole-bags/custom-cornhole-bags/. You can have them personalized with the name or message of your choice. They make great gifts and just might incentivize kids to play more outside.

2. Grow Your Own

Growing your own vegetables is a fun way to get children interested in gardening as well as healthy eating. There are plenty of easy vegetables to grow with kids, such as carrots and potatoes, so you don’t need to be expertly green-thumbed. It’s one of the best ways to encourage kids to be productive and happy.

3. Start Seeds Inside

If you want to gauge your child’s interest beforehand, you could start seeds off inside. Plant seeds in glass jars so they can see the roots growing, which will engage their curiosity. You can then move the plants outside.

If you don’t have much yard space but would still like to get your kids interested in gardening, here are some low-maintenance indoor plants. You could even set up window boxes or a small balcony garden.

4. Welcome Wildlife

With a few quick upgrades, you can turn your yard into a wildlife habitat. The children will enjoy spotting and naming the wild visitors that come your way.

Create zones in your yard for critters to forage and hide. Let your lawn grow wilder, or build a rock garden. Add a water source and a bit of food and you’ll easily attract a variety of wildlife.

You could make your own bird feeders from recycled materials, or for a bigger project, build a bee hotel from old wood and bamboo. Another idea is to simply drill a few holes into some untreated wood for a basic home for insects.

5. Create a Sensory Space

Turn your garden into a treat for all the senses by adding plenty of textures, sights, and smells for your children to explore. Create a sensory garden by adding colorful and fragrant flowers which will also attract butterflies, bees, and other pollinators.

An amazing sensory space can be from a swimming pool that is specifically designed with little ones in mind. There is nothing more exciting than splashing in the water on a hot summer’s day. Work with a reputable company like CaliforniaPools.com, so you get the best pool for little water explorers. 

You could even consider a water feature such as a pond or fountain. The sound of the water is incredibly relaxing and it will make a nice home for fish and amphibians. With sensory stimulation and fun activities, your children will love being out in the yard.

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Get Your Kids Outside

It is so important to get your kids outside, and it doesn’t have to be a struggle. By setting your yard up specifically for the kids, your kids will be eager to get outside every day.

What have you done to your yard to get your kids outside? Leave a comment and let me know!

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Big Kid Big kid fun Family Activities Free Activities How To Outside Fun Sensory Play Teenager Toddler and Preschool Age Learning

Can You Grow a Pine Tree From a Pine Cone? A Lesson In Sustainability For Kids

can you grow a pine tree from a pine cone, sustainability for kids, teaching kids about the environment, earth day, love our earth

I saw this picture being shared on Facebook and Pinterest where a pinecone was planted into soil. The photo showed that the pine cone was about half-buried in soil, with the top half sticking out. There were sprouts coming from the top of the pinecone, indicating that it’s possible to grow a pine tree from a pine cone.

This left me wondering… is it possible? Can you really grow a pine tree from a pine cone?

can you grow a pine tree from a pine cone, sustainability for kids, teaching kids about the environment, earth day, love our earth

The Research About Growing a Pine Tree From a Pine Cone

I tried to find information about this, and couldn’t find a conclusive answer. Just when I thought I had, someone else had a different point to make.

I couldn’t find any accounts of someone successfully going a pine tree from a pine cone. Plus, many people did explain that it is pretty much impossible.

Some people thought it would work, though, and I just have to test the image that was floating around.

With that being said, I found literally no confirmed answer. I couldn’t even find a source for the image that was floating around social media. **Updated to add that the social media image can be found here**

The Information We Did Find

Before we tried this for ourselves, I assigned our teenager the task of learning a couple of things about pine trees. She had to share the information with the younger siblings before we went around the yard hunting for pine cones.

One of the things she shared was that there are male and female pine cones. Am I the only adult who didn’t know this?!

With that fun fact, we took all of the pine cones we collected and played a game. We made teams and worked together to sort the pine cones into two pines; male and female. We also learned that the female pine cones are the ones that carry the seeds.

Finally, we learned that trees produce oxygen and that oxygen is what we breathe.

can you grow a pine tree from a pine cone, sustainability for kids, teaching kids about the environment, earth day, love our earth

Growing Pine Trees From Pine Cones

So, since I couldn’t find the actual answer online, we decided to figure it out for ourselves.

Materials

  • Empty 2-liter soda bottle
  • X-acto knife (or you can use a pocket knife)
  • Soil
  • Pinecone

This is the exact knife I used. I use it for pretty much everything, to be honest. LOL.

Yes, that’s an affiliate link, which means I’ll make a small commission at no additional cost to you. I truly do use this x-acto knife and stand behind it, however.

Instructions

1. Cut the soda bottle so that you only have the bottom portion left. Say, 1/4 of the bottle.

2. Add soil to the soda bottle bottom.

3. Create a hole in the soil that is big enough to fit 1/2 of the pinecone.

4. Fill dirt back in around the pinecone. Only the top half should be showing.

5. Water everyday and monitor the progress.

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Did it work?!

Ok, so since we know that this method for growing a tree isn’t for sure going to work, just bear with me. I’ll update on the progress (if there is any) right away.

In the meantime, however, do this project with us!! Help your kids plant their pinecone so you can see for yourself if it is possible to grow a pine tree from a pine cone.

We’re all looking for ways to teach kids from home, so why not mix in a fun science lesson?

What do you think will happen? Is it possible to grow a pine tree from a pine cone?

I had the kids all draw pictures of what they think will happen. Nevaeh was the only one who thought we would have to remove the seeds from the pinecone to grow a tree. The others thought the tree would grow from the pinecone.

Lets be honest, I think Nevaeh is right. Tell me what you think.

Will a tree begin to grow out of the planted pinecone? Tell me the reason behind your answer! I can’t wait to see what everyone thinks!

Need another project idea?

Check out this paper mache diamondback rattlesnake! Using paper mache is so easy, and the post has a recipe to make it with ingredients you already have on hand!

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