Best Backyard Items for Summer Fun on a Budget

There is a great myth circulating among parents in our society. It says that if you want your children to have fun and be entertained, it is going to cost you. Drive around your neighborhood. Look at all of those expensive playscapes sitting idle collecting moss and spider webs. It seems to be proof that we have bought into this myth, hook, line and sinker. It is time that we break free from the marketing trap that says money equals happiness. Your children can have fun in their very own backyard on a budget. Here's how to create your own "amusement park" without breaking the bank.

Hit the spring tag sales. If you are lucky, your town may hold an annual town-wide tag sale in the spring. Set a budget, borrow a truck and head out. Create a list of things to look for such as: construction toys, shovels, kitchen utensils (strainers, spoons, plastic bowls, etc.), plastic chairs and sports equipment. Keep everyone's eyes and minds focused items that could be used for outdoor fun. Encourage creativity and novel uses for everyday items.

Visit a dollar store. Stock up on hula-hoops, balls, bubbles, sidewalk chalk and totes to store smaller items. The uses for hula-hoops are endless. Besides the innate fun of trying to keep that plastic tube from hitting the ground, they can be laid flat as "zones" for a game of toss. Place them at different distances apart and assign each hoop a point value. Whoever score the most points, wins! Or, hold a hula-hoop on end and it becomes a target for any aspiring football quarterback.

Designate a stopwatch for outdoor use. Let's face it - kids love to compete. Add a timed element to any game and watch their interest sore. Have them use their imaginations to create an obstacle course around the yard. Pull the cars out of the garage, use the sidewalk chalk and create a racetrack for bikes or roller blades. Create a start-finish line for timed laps.

Try these low budget alternatives for pricey backyard items.

1) Sandbox alternative. A simple pile of sand on a tarp coupled with construction trucks, shovels, rescue figures and emergency vehicles creates a ready made town, just waiting to be equipped with roads, tunnels and villages. Cover the pile with another tarp weighted down with bricks when not in use.

2) Playscape alternative. Children love to swing. A tree with a low, sturdy branch is a great candidate for a rope or tire swing. Or, if you don't already have a playscape, consider a swing set kit like this one: http://www.choosefreedom.com/swingsets/swingset_plan_ss50l.html. It has a large radius feature, simulating the swing arch of their favorite playground swings. The plans can be purchased for under $12.00.

3) Pool alternative. A slip-n-slide is a great backyard water activity. Basic ones can be purchased for under $15.00 (http://www.amazon.com/Wham-O-Slip-N-Slide-Hydroplane/dp/B0039V8IUQ/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1271295718&sr=1-4 . You can also invest in a new nozzle for your garden hose. Make sure it is one that has multiple settings including a "mist" feature and an "on" button. You can position the hose in such a way by using lawn chairs to spray a cooling mist over everyone in the vicinity.

4) Playhouse alternative. While those plastic playhouses are enticing, they are pricey. Instead, borrow or purchase a used tent for the backyard. Equip it with some cheap pillows, books, and card games. It may not have a doorbell or a working faucet, but your kids will have just as much fun.

Don't forget to make space for rest and relaxation. You can purchase a simple rope hammock (http://www.amazon.com/Cotton-Hammock-33024-Two-Person/dp/B002VXYHEE/ref=pd_sbs_k_3) for under $20.00. Strung between two trees in a shady spot will make a great respite spot after a busy day of play for enjoying a Popsicle. Also, if you can't invest in a picnic table for your backyard, why not spend a few dollars and pick up a NeatSheet (http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=79879&catid=137127&aid=337953&aparam=the_neat_sheet_ground_co&CAWELAID=61273431). These waterproof ground cloths (available for around $15) are great for an impromptu picnic; they wash well, fold for storage and have a host of other uses.

With some creativity and eye for a good deal, backyard fun can be had on a shoestring budget. Furthermore, encouraging your children to use their imaginations to create memories that will last a lifetime is better than any gift you could find on the shelves of a store.