The Good Family is settling into our new home in the suburbs quite nicely (Read about our move in Ways to Make Moving Easier with Baby).
Good Papa is loving his short commute and pulling into the driveway. I have enjoyed checking out the new neighborhood and cooking in my new kitchen. Zig has lost weight because he is having so much fun running around the back yard. And, W, dare I say it, has been sleeping like a champ.
Yes, we are all finding our groove in our new suburban home.
The one thing that I find I relish the most is the thing that I thought I never needed-
A backyard.
Good Papa really wanted a yard, but I honestly never saw the need. We had plenty of parks and places to play in the city. Truthfully, a yard seemed like so much work.
Now I am finding that a yard is proving to be worth the work.
I can easily roll out of bed (more like pushed out of bed by W- he may be sleeping through the night, but he’s still the ever-early riser), throw on some shoes and watch W and Zig romp around in the backyard.
It has been great to have the freedom to run around however we please without having to worry about bumping into anyone else.
So, in honor of our new backyard, I have put together a list of fun things to do in your own backyard with your baby.
*If you don’t have a backyard, don’t worry, you can still do these things in a city too.
5 Fun Things to do in Your Own Backyard
1. Sort & Collet Rocks: This has been W’s favorite activity lately. He spends hours (okay, not hours, but a good amount of time for a baby) sorting through the rocks, picking them up, throwing them in his bucket, trying to sneak in a taste before he is stopped. I think when W gets a little older we might try painting the rocks. We may even make our own egg carton mancala game with rocks. Check out Deceptively Educational’s version.
2. Gather leaves: It’s amazing how different babies can be. My most adorable niece is almost exactly three months older than W. She NEVER puts anything in her mouth. W, on the other hand, puts EVERYTHING in his mouth. At least he is willing to try out new foods inedible objects? Leaves are a particular favorite. The only way I can avoid W digesting a bunch of dried-up, old leaves is to encourage him to gather them and put them into a bucket. Someone tell me, when will the eating everything in sight end?
3. Practice your gymnastics: This past week I took W to The Little Gym in our new neighborhood. It was SO much fun. W loved doing summersaults. They even had a his favorite toy- a basketball hoop! It also really took me back to my younger years practicing gymnastics in the backyard with the neighborhood kids. After class, I took W out back to see if I could still pull off some moves. W thought it was the funniest thing. At least someone got a kick out of my “moves.” Though, I think I’d better stick to helping W with his summersaults. We don’t need to visit the local hospital just yet.
4. Watch for clouds, airplanes, and birds: There is a small airport not too far from our new place. We get lots of airplanes that fly overhead. W thinks it’s just the best. He loves pointing them out. We also like laying back and watching the clouds and birds flying from tree to tree. It keeps W preoccupied and mommy gets a rest.
5. Have a picnic: The weather has been absolutely amazing. I hate to waste it cooped up inside. So, we often take our lunches and snacks outdoors. We did this in the city too, but it is significantly easier to run back inside if we have forgotten anything.
While I absolutely loved our time in the city, I think W and Zig are really going to have a blast growing up in our new home. I do know Good Papa and I are going to enjoy watching them.
What did I miss? What are some fun things you like to do in your own backyard? Let me know in the comment section below!
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Don’t forget to take some favorite books outside and read in this great weather. That was always one of my favorite things to do!
Great idea! We like to go out to our porch and read books.
These are great! I want to paint a little rock garden one day. I wish we had a real backyard with grass… We like to do art projects outside, when it’s not too windy. It’s much less scarey getting their tiny fingers covered in paint when you aren’t risking tiny handprints on your rug, couch, everything.
Melissa- I’m sure J would love to paint some rocks. We’ll have to do an art project together one day. I agree about it being much safer outside.
I love picnics. I am hoping to have a yard in the next year or two. I remember as a kid, playing in our yard was an everyday activity, and I’ve love for Jack and the pups to be able to run around together without having to worry about anything. Do you have any plans to build a club house? That’s always fun for backyard fun.
Angela Gilmore recently posted…My Excuse for Absence Includes an Armadillo Groom’s Cake
Angela- Yes, we would love to build a club house. Maybe we’ll have to look into after this winter. Thanks for your comment!
Your backyard is beautiful! I love having a backyard, despite the work. Backyard picnics, backyard camping….it’s all fun.
Melissa Matters recently posted…20 Cupcake-Worthy Parenting Moments
Melissa- Thank you! Oh! I can’t wait to camp in the backyard. We did that a lot growing up.
You bet! I love the backyard! It can provide hours of entertainment! The bigger the better!
Nicole- Yes, I am now realizing how much time will be spent in our yard.
We love sitting outside after dinner and just hanging out. We like to look for lizards! 🙂
Lauren recently posted…Mommy Wars
Lauren- Oh, lizards! That’s fun! We don’t have many lizards in the northeast.
So fun. We do all of those things. Another thing we do is have a senses hunt. We listen, we feel, we smell, we see. Occasionally we will taste (not dirt…). The kiddos love it!
Elizabeth recently posted…Cheesy Baked Chicken Pasta
Elizabeth- I LOVE your senses hunt idea. We did that a lot when I taught Kindergarten. The kids really do like it.
We like to play soccer and to “garden”, which usually means planting whatever sticks we can find into what ever dirt we can find. And yes, my 13 month old likes to eat the rocks, sticks, leaves, and bugs. She’ll grow out of it, sooner or later. 🙂 Thanks for this post.
Deborah @ mommycrusader recently posted…How a Corn Husking spells Love
Deborah- aw, I love the “planting” of sticks. I’m sure I’ll do that with my son. I’m glad my son is not the only one who likes to eat everything!
Great list! We don’t have a backyard … well, it’s a work-in-progress. But I didn’t think we needed a backyard either until we had kids. It’s amazing though with the little bitty outdoor playspace that our kids have, how creative they can get with finding something interesting to do.
Ai recently posted…Why It Wasn’t Easy to Have Little Kitchen Helpers
Ai- Yes, you really don’t need that much space at all. I remember being quite happy playing in the same small part of our yard growing up.
Sideways of backyards are the first place where toddlers take their first step. I still remember my childhood when i was around 5 or 6 and i spent most of the times in sideways of my garden. You have made me remember my childhood. <3
That was a great list of activities that one can do in their backyard. It sounds so much fun especially with done family & friends. Some of the ideas were new and looks like kids can enjoy them a lot.