Fun outside activities

By Catalogs Editorial Staff

Good times are guaranteed when fun outside activities are planned

No one will ever say they?re bored if the menu of activities for the day includes plenty of fun outside activities. Save the indoor enterprises for a rainy day. Turn off the television and head for the door. There is a wealth of fun outside activities for young and old alike. Step away and enjoy some sun and fun.

What is your hobby or field of interest? Do the kids enjoy making pinwheels and using glue or paste? Is the zoo a favorite destination? It?s not difficult to find supplies that make fun outside activities related to hobbies or special interests a part of learning something new. After all, everyone knows that adults and youngsters alike learn things faster when a lesson is disguised as fun.

Look for traditional outdoor toys

All kids love to get down and dirty and play with the world around them. Toy tractors, farm animal sets and barns that can be set up in the lawn will entertain kids for hours. Keep a supply of toy garden implements, buckets and sports equipment in a retro red wagon.

For generations, kids have loved toys that are built tough to last outdoors. It will amaze you how quickly “city” kids become engrossed in “country” toys.

There is convenience in craft kits

Those whose talents may be constricted to the design and manufacture of mediocre mud pies will find comfort in kits. Kits provide everything needed for fun outside activities. There are many kinds of arts and craft kits for folks who like to have everything in one place. If a project calls for pipe cleaners, glitter glue and five feet of chartreuse ribbon, a kit will include those items.

Chances are good that word will get around about your plan to host some fun outside activities. No problem. These hands-on activities become even more interesting when shared with others. Opportunities for teaching?and learning?abound, especially if you live in a community of neighbors from diverse backgrounds.

Crafts can reflect the diversity of cultures

Kids, teens and elders from many countries?Mexico, Southeast Asia, Philippines and others? nowadays are members of many cities and suburbs. Each ethnic group has its own culture, arts and unique native crafts to share with others in your group as a part of your fun outside activities excursion.

Consider organizing an open-air day of diversity that features multicultural craft kits touching upon the lore of various countries?or American states of universal interest, such as Hawaii. The effort at providing some fun outside activities with an ethnic flavor is sure to result in knowing more about one?s neighbors?and the world. There are many multicultural kits from which to choose.

? Tribal mask kits
? Native American dream catchers
? Southwestern sand painting
? Spanish castanets kits
? Coconut wind chime kits
? Japanese kite kits
? Ukrainian painted eggs
? Hawaiian aloha lei kits

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Put together a portable pack of supplies

A lot of fun outside activities can be enjoyed spur of the moment?on any day the mood strikes?if you always are semi-prepared for spontaneous fun. Consider keeping a few basic supplies on hand for impromptu spurts of creativity.

Grab every chance to do something out of the ordinary that involves fun outside activities. Encourage inquiry into the world of nature. Why not go to the lake and set up for yourself or a group some art supplies, on a nearby picnic table? Think of what would be needed for a day of doing more than observing the mallards, herons, turtles and other wildlife there.

Look to nature for inspiration

Ask yourself about other projects that could be launched by your observation of nature. Chances are your tote bag soon will include a sketch pad, some colorful markers and a box of Crayons. Think harder. You can add lots more oomph to any repertoire of fun outside activities by thinking beyond the ordinary.

Consider including some homemade supplies. Learn how to make clay. It?s easy. Get a little wild and bring along a tabletop easel to do your sketching?or painting?with a bit more pizzazz. Think of supplies that would enhance your quest for fun outside activities.

? Binoculars for better observing birds and waterfowl
? A magnifying glass to look at ants and insects
? Scissors to cut out shapes of ducks for decoupage
? A bottle of tacky glue to make a leaf collage
? Colorful enamels to paint some pebbles to resemble animals
? Some modeling clay to make a sculpture of a butterfly
? Moist wipes for hands, or paper towels and bottled water

Budgets seem to be a bit tighter these days for many families. Arranging simple, easy-to-do and fun outside activities that will entertain without a lavish investment is a tribute to economy. Craft kits save money. All of the components are included. And that makes fun outside activities even more enjoyable.