Garden games for children

When my grandchildren were young their favourite garden pastime was “painting” the paving slabs with water. A few seaside buckets so they could have one each and a 2 inch emulsion brush. They’d draw pictures on the patio and compare notes before they quickly dried off and they could start again.

When my now 15 yr old grandson was little he’d leave his pavement artist siblings and cousins to water paint on the slabs and he’d work his way round the fence with his bucket and paintbrush.

Now they are all older they do enjoy a game of Jenga with a garden set. Or if you don’t mind the mess and high pitched squealing water pistols are good cheap fun.

Sorry. Forgot the link:
rhubarbandwren.co.uk/giant-bubble-wand-tutorial/

Lots of different ones out there - this looks straightforward (below).

You can wrap coathanger hoops in fabric for tiniest people.

Put the mix in a big container - we have even used a paddling pool.

happyhooligans.ca/homemade-giant-bubbles/

freegurumk.best/product_tag/112405093_.html

Water balloons
Coloured chalk
Decorating and eating biscuits
Water - plants, garden, wash off chalk and biscuits

Swingball, frisbee, water pistols!

Here's a website that shows you how to make them but I made our "best" ones with some stretchy lace rather than string/rope - it holds a lot of liquid and is easy.

The thing that everyone loves in our family is bubbles.
Especially the giant sort.

You can make the mix up the day before and let it settle.

There are dozens of versions now.
Ours are still going from the late 1970s (and we have made some too).
This is the sort of thing I mean.
Cheap options are available!

www.bubblyheaven.co.uk/product-category/giant-bubble-kits/#

Dens, old sheets, towels, clothes horse etc - maybe the older children can make their own then help the younger ones.