Backyard Adventure: Get Messy, Get Wet, Build Cool Things, and Have Tons of Wild Fun! 51 Free-Play Activities

Water balloons stuffed Tyvek suits, string art on the fence, turning dolls into mummies, cheese puffs in shaving cream! Oh, I wish my kids were young again! I bought this for my grand niece and nephew who live far away, but I think I'm going to have to borrow some neighbor kids just to do some of these really fun and crazy activities. These are inexpensive (and often free) things for kids to do in their own yards, often involving water, mud, pots and pans, and other household items. What kid wouldn't want to build a wall of noise (outdoors, of course!) or exploding sidewalk chalk? I love the layout, the creative play ideas and the photos showing the kids truly having fun together. Summer's coming - it's the perfect time to get this book for every family with kids you know. Bring on the fun! (I think I'm buying the xs Tyvek suits next!)

This book is more than fun: it's a jumper-cable for your own imagination. I put this book in my 5 year olds Easter basket, and he already has most of summer break planned with all the activities he wants to do. And they are all, every last one of them, outside! The majority of his plans involve scrounging the materials needed, so most of his projects are not only free, but they reuse materials that would otherwise end up a landfill. That's a win-win no matter how you look at it. I bought this book because I'm friends with a mother who has a child pictured in the book; I recommend this book because it's years worth of creativity and "I'm sooo bored" solutions. Next weekend I'm making my first piñata and filling it with whipped cream (shhhh... don't tell my son!)

Reclaim incredible outdoor play for your children (and maybe also yourself) with the creative yet simple to implement ideas in this amazing book. This will have you and your kids running for the yard year round in all weather. This resource is cleverly written, concise and easy to follow/implement and includes incredible photos that will inspire the most couch bound folks to get outside and play!

Are you a parent? Do you know a parent? Are you, or do you know a teacher who teaches kids? If so be sure to get this book. My ten year old took the book away from me upon receiving. She spent a couple days continuing to turn the pages exploring ideas to do in our own yard. This is an awesome book. It is such a treat how a simple easy to read and follow book will inspire such creativity and active imagination. I have included a photo of the backyard tent my daughter built. Thank you Amanda for creating this little treasure.

I purchased this book for myself and my daughter and loved it so much I now have bought a few more copies for friends. Gorgeous pictures and fun ideas that really motivated me to detach from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and just have fun again! It sounds so simple, but it really has been an eye opener to connect with your children, connect with the outdoors, and just be free to get messy and enjoy.

A must-have for any parent, teacher, nanny, troop-leader or nature-lover! There is nothing quite like this fun-filled, creative book out there to inspire kids and adults alike with outdoor fun! Beautifully captured photos of the fun itself in action. Amanda Thomsen knows her stuff and describes it in her signature, engaging style of fun! LOVE IT!

This book is a treasure trove of ideas for outdoor play for kids of all ages, just in time for the upcoming summer months. Children need a space to get messy and be adventurous and have good old fashioned fun outside away from screens and this book is packed with things to do. The fun ideas are not just for summer but for all seasons. Great colorful pictures with real kids having a blast and funny, practical commentary from the author. This is a great price too.

I got this book for my 5 year old daughter. We both love looking at the pictures of dozens of fun things to do! There’s a great range of activities for all ages, definitely not just for small kids. I’m lucky to have a huge yard, but I’m sure you could do most of these activities on a balcony or patio if you don’t. In all honesty, some of these ideas are very ambitious, but are fun to think about! And the pictures are super fun!