 and give your kids a list of clues to help find them. First to seize the stash wins. MAKE A SPLASH: Fill up some water balloons and divide your family into two teams. Stand on opposite sides of the garden and toss the balloons back and forth. If you get hit, you're out! Last person standing wins. A water balloon egg 'n' spoon race with kitchen utensils is also great fun. If you're worried about the wildlife, get a pack of 12 reusable water balloons that seal with magnets at Etsy.com for £4.50. RING IT IN: Grab your inflatable rubber ring and take it in turns to throw it over the other person in a game of 'human ring toss'. The aim is to get it to land perfectly over their head. This works well if you have two inflatables and two teams competing within a set amount of time. Make sure someone neutral keeps score. CROSS IT OFF: Have you got leftover paper plates from a birthday party? Mark them with noughts and crosses to make a large version of the family favourite game that can be laid out on the grass. ROLL IN THE GLORY: Save old plastic bottles and fill with water, then arrange them in a triangle formation — a line of three bottles, two bottles and one at the front. Use a ball to try and bowl them over, keeping score. This also works as a glow-in-the-dark bowling activity when you add a glow stick to each bottle — pick up a pack of 15 for £1.50 at Tesco. After the game, water the garden with the bottles' contents. Also works with upturned plas){kind=link}
DAYS out in summer can be pricey – so why not have bags of fun in your own garden for a fraction of the cost?
There are lots of simple, cheap games to play on a budget.
Try these ideas guaranteed to bring out the competitive streak in any family . . .
HUNT DOWN THE WIN: A scavenger hunt is a great way to get your kids exploring the garden.
Hide some objects (such as plant pots or toys) and give your kids a list of clues to help find them. First to seize the stash wins.