Backyard adventures

Backyard adventures

Thanks to two recent articles in the Pittsburgh (PA) Tribune-Review and Pittsburgh (PA) Post-Gazette, I am reminded of the alternatives to backyard amenities such as a pool/spa, BBQ/outdoor kitchen, fireplace/fire pit,  etc. Even though these elements can be big hits with the little ones (you know you wish you had a dime for every time they’ve asked you to dig a pool),  they require adult supervision at the least, can be much too expensive or impractical to implement and maintain on a regular basis, or require more space than is available in your kingdom. For those with kids, you know that the simplest of things can sometimes offer hours of entertainment. Aren’t convinced yet? Do you remember a few birthdays ago when your child paid more attention to the packaging and wrapping paper than the $100+ toy that came inside, that you went to four different malls to find? With a little creativity and not a lot of money, you can provide an endless array of attention getting (& keeping) ideas to not only keep them busy, but also encourage them to learn about their surroundings. Below are some low-cost, highly interactive strategies to get your kids outside learning about their natural environment, and away from the television and video games they so desperately rely on. Sandbox: A sandbox is simple to build or inexpensive to buy compared to the enjoyment and imagination it will provide. It’s not quite the beach, but with a little water and some buckets, the castles can be just as grand. Keep in mind that they aren’t the neatest things in the world, so...