Backyard Fun Without a Pool
While jumping in a pool is a no-brainer on hot summer days, this post is for those of us looking for some backyard fun without a pool. Setting up some water play may be the only way to make being outside tolerable on those scorching summer days. Water play is almost universally loved by kids, and there are ways to set it up even for our water-wary children. We love it for getting the kids out of the house (away from screens) and letting it occupy them for long stretches of time. Read on for some gear that we’ve either relied on in the past, or have on our wish list for this coming summer!
Remember having to fill up water balloons one by one? Every time we use these, we wonder, “Where were these when we were kids?” Water balloons are so much fun and there are lots of games you could play with them—water balloon basketball, water balloon dodgeball, anything involving a ball!
There are many water table options out there for the little ones, but we like this one for its minimalistic design and the fact that it can fold up to be easily stored during the off-season. While it is simple in terms of attached pieces, the rain shower does add interest (as long as someone is willing to refill the tray) and the sky is the limit in terms of setting up themed play sessions by bringing in your own toys.
We like this type of pool for the ease of setup and clean up—no more having to blow up a pool and squeezing the air out afterwards! The sides are sturdy and it folds up compactly for storage. The kids can sit and play in this for hours!
You’d be surprised how much kids love this simple tool. You can play games that require aiming, add some watercolor and create art, or just let them go wild! It’s a big payoff for simply filling up a bottle.
If you’re based in California, you’re likely well aware of water restrictions due to our extreme drought conditions. The following suggestions do require water to be running continuously, so we encourage you to be thoughtful about how your water usage, but once in a while, these can be fun (and double as watering the lawn!).
This cute sprinkler sprays in a predictable motion, which works well for younger kids.
Ah the classic slip and slide! Older kids will have so much fun racing along the double slide, while little ones can enjoy the sprinkler action. For extra slippery fun, add some baby shampoo!
If you really want to win “Parent of the Year” and have the space for it, an inflatable water slide will provide hours of fun. Just prepare to be the house all the neighborhood kids will beg to have play dates at!
Having the right water gear can keep the kids cool and engaged in your backyard all summer, even without a pool! And the best part is, that means we parents can sit back with a cool drink and relax too!