We love adventures all over Saskatoon, and we love day trips, but some days we just want some backyard fun in Saskatoon. We love spending the day outside. As he gets older, we’re constantly finding new activities, and he loves helping with everyday activities. Our backyard isn’t perfect (it’s missing some grass thanks to our dogs), but we really love playing out there. Most of these things can be done in a park if you want out of your backyard. In general, you can never lose in a water fight. Some or most of these ideas will end in a cool down with water.
Backyard Fun Saskatoon
Crocheted Water Balloons or bombs
We bought ours years ago, and we’ve been loving them ever since. My son has been asking since the snow melted for us to bring them out again. We had our first crocheted water fight this weekend. (I won.) There are so many bonuses to using these. First of all, they are much better for the environment than actual balloons – reusable and washable. Second, they are something you can buy locally, thus supporting local. Third, you can throw them at your kids and hear their squeals of laughter. Win. Win. Win. We love water fights of any kind.
Many local makers sell them. Find one close to you, and send them a message. (Or if you’re crafty, you can make your own!) If you’re checking out the local options, make sure to see if they make any other goodies you love.
Fun with the dog
My little one and our dog get along best outside (mostly because my pup is ready to pick up any food my son drops.) We love playing catch and tug with the puppy.
Check out Caring Creations YXE for all your pet supplies.
Outdoor Kitchen
This one is a little harder to take outside your yard, but just grab some wooden spoons and bowls, and find a mud pile in a park! My son loves bringing me mud soup. We recently made a kitchen for him out of an old desk. It’s not perfect, but it’s got a sink and stove so he loves it. My son is getting older and uses ours a lot less but it worked for many years.
Ladybug houses
My son loves collecting bugs – especially ladybugs. He collects rocks anytime we are away from the house, and our backyard is covered with ladybug houses made by his rocks. It’s one of his favourite activities, and he makes sure the ladybugs are free to leave at anytime.
Crafting
We love any kind of messy crafting in the backyard from painting to flower projects to our newest one – Tie Dye! Outside is perfect to get a little messy with fun crafts.
Gardening
My kiddo has been gardening with me, basically from just after he was born (I planted my garden at 38 weeks pregnant). He loves seeing the plants grow as much as I do. He loves planting seeds and he loves watering the flowers. (He’s definitely drowned a few poor little ones as well.) If you aren’t sure where to get started in gardening, check out our list of Saskatoon Greenhouses. If you don’t have room for a garden, be sure to check out the community gardens near you. I only wish he would help more with weeding.
Ice Cream
There’s nothing better on a hot day than having some ice cream. Both my kiddo and I love ice cream. We’ve made it our goal this year to try all of the local Saskatoon Ice Cream Shops. Some days when we’re done an activity, we’ll grab some ice cream (lactose-free for my son) and bring it home to enjoy.
Sticks
We’ve been trying not to shy away from playing with sticks. As long as my son knows not to swing at others, and to stay safe, we will continue to use sticks in our adventures. This includes gentle sword fights, walking sticks or anything else that the stick may look like at the moment. My son even built a pretend fire with a bunch of logs and sticks.
Sidewalk Chalk
In all seriousness, who doesn’t love sidewalk chalk? We chalk our walk every year. Sometimes every day. My son is more interested in it this year than he has been in other years, and we’ve been having a lot of fun. I like to leave inspirational messages, and he likes to make action scenes.
Bubbles Bubbles Bubbles
We like bubbles in any way they come. Little ones, big ones, fast ones, slow ones. Chasing bubbles is a family favourite. Both the doggo and the kiddo can spend an hour trying to catch the bubbles. I’m hoping to find a good recipe to make my own bubbles so we don’t have to keep buying more.
Mud Mud and More Mud Plus Puddle jumping
We love getting muddy. He loves it more than I do, but somedays we’ll get in some outdoor clothes and play in a big mud puddle. He also loves making my puddles for his toys to play in. If my kid is around, you can never go wrong with mud. We also love jumping in puddles.
If you’re looking for some fun outside of the house, make sure to check out our Summer Fun Bucket List – Saskatoon Summer Events.
