Cookout planned - need kids' activities

[Minnie's Pal]

We have a cookout planned soon and I don't really want everyone's kids running in and out of our house. From past experience, I know after the food has been eaten, the kids start getting bored. What are some fun, inexpensive things I could plan for them or have for them to do?

Thought about a scavenger hunt, for one, but don't know how to make one up. (Posted a separate thread asking for ideas/help with this one.) We don't want any water activities FOR SURE. (Too much trouble.) That's all I've thought of so far...

 

[mjkacmom]

We were just at a bbq for ds12's baseball team, and they spent the whole time playing whiffle ball, including even the 7 year olds.

 

[anniemae]

we went to a cookout last weekend and they had a craft table for the kids. Just fun stuff like glue, glitter, colored paper, stickers etc. The kids loved it.

They also had a "make your own cookie" table. She had a bunch of big sugar cookies (store bought) and some frosting to spread on the cookies, and cups of m & m's, jimmies, colored sugar, chocolate chips, assorted candy etc. to decorate the cookies. She provided little boxes so the kids could make more than one and take them home. They had a blast.

 

[luvmy3]

We have a big cookout every summer and there are alot of kids there. We have a pool and a swingset so that helps keep the kids occupied. I set up a water/sand table, a (plastic) horseshoe set, bring out the soccer balls and cones, wiffle ball/bat, big trucks, bubbles. The kids pretty much spend the day and evening running around the yard playing. I don't mind them in the house so they can go in and play the Wii too.
If you don't have a pool, what about a sprinkler, they are pretty cheap.

 

[java]

how old are the kids we are talking about?

 

[mtemm]

the kids in our neighborhood love dodgeball and whiffle ball and would play them for hours.

 

[allison443]

We were at a barbecue yesterday and the kids (ages up to about 13) played with sidewalk chalk (in the driveway) and soccer balls.

 

[tjmw2727]

We went to two bbq's this weekend In addition to the above traditional stuff yesterday's bbq had some of the minute to win it games. It was a little more organized than I would usually do but the kids (and adults) had a blast and they were easy to set up, play and used mostly household items.

 

[dawson5]

Mine live for wiffle ball and badmitton. We used to have badmitton tournaments when hubby and I were younger. We've set up two courts also.

For some fun with wiffle ball, go to Dick's and buy Junk Ball. It's wiffle ball but a sturdier bat and a slightly different wiffle ball that is more "pitchable." They actually give you instructions on how to do different pitches with it. We used to have to replace the bat every year, we've had this one for three years now. You do eat regular wiffle balls though, they don't last as long when used with this bat. My kids and the neighbor's grandkids are out there most of the summer playing it, it sees a lot of use.

 

[Tinkermommy]

Looks like you are in NC and it could be HOT so I wouldn't rule out water activities. We usually set up an oscillating sprinkler and have water guns. Let the parents know ahead of time if you do this so they can bring swimsuits and sunscreen.

Kickball is also fun/easy and good for a lot of ages.

The one thing I would love to get is an outside projector to do movies under the stars.

 

[scrapquitler]

We went to two bbq's this weekend In addition to the above traditional stuff yesterday's bbq had some of the minute to win it games. It was a little more organized than I would usually do but the kids (and adults) had a blast and they were easy to set up, play and used mostly household items.

I was going to suggest the MInute to win it games, too. I guess it depends on how old the children are.

Other ideas: frisbee, blowing bubbles, jacks, jump ropes, sidewalk chalk, some sort of art project (fabric marker drawing on t-shirts if tie dying is more complicated than you want to do), hopscotch, whiffle ball, hackey sacks, board games, relay races or games like Simon says and Red Light/Green Light

 

[ADisneyQueen]

We're going to do an outside party this summer and so far I have planned: water balloon toss, obstacle course, and a craft table with a bunch of stuff where kids can make whatever they want. I think I'll do the scavenger hunt too.

 

[Minnie's Pal]

We went to two bbq's this weekend In addition to the above traditional stuff yesterday's bbq had some of the minute to win it games. It was a little more organized than I would usually do but the kids (and adults) had a blast and they were easy to set up, play and used mostly household items.

What are Minute to Win It games?

 

[scrapquitler]

What are Minute to Win It games?

They are silly little skill games, from a TV show called "Minute to Win It" Video instructions for all the games are on the website: http://www.nbc.com/minute-to-win-it/