Playing Outside: Good Old Fashioned Frugal Fun!

Everyone should take the time to play outside!  Playing outside is one of the best ways to spend time together as a family.  And the best part about it is that it doesn't cost a penny!

During the summer the kids got a swing set to review, and that is where we spend a lot of our time outside.

We also enjoy playing "baseball" in the yard.  We actually use a plastic bat and one of those oversized balls so that it's easier for my son to hit.  However, he was outside playing with his grandpa the other day, and grandpa was teaching him to bat a smaller ball.  I think he actually hit it a couple times too!

When the kids are little, it's so easy to find things to do outside.  They're happy to play with sticks, pick flowers (or weeds!), and just run around.

They like to use their sand bucket and shovels to dig in the dirt.  They'll transfer dirt from one place to another and back again.  And of course, it just wouldn't be fun if a good amount of the dirt didn't land on them!

Blowing bubbles is another favorite outdoor activity.  I usually blow the bubbles while they chase them around.   Now that my son is getting older, he likes to take his own turn at blowing too.  (By the way, did you know you can make your own bubbles?  Just take a look around pinterest, and you'll find plenty of recipes!)

Sometimes we take them to the local playground or go on a walk around a nearby pond.  There are a bunch of geese there that scare me to death, though!  If they even think you might have a morsel of food, they'll chase you the whole time you're there!

Now that the fall weather has arrived, I can think of a whole bunch more outdoor activities I'm looking forward to doing with the kids.  I'm sure we won't get to all of these, but apple picking, a trip to the pumpkin patch, a trip to the zoo, and a fall festival at a local farm are all things I'd like to do this fall.  I'm also excited about taking my preschooler outside to explore the fall leaves and look for acorns.  I'm sure we'll collect some specimens for school crafts and fall home decor too!

Playing outside doesn't have to be anything fancy or elaborate.  It's totally free to do and provides some great family bonding time!

Clorox2 wants you to pledge to play outside, and when you do you'll also have a chance at winning a trip to Yosemite National Park and other prizes!  Go to http://clorox2play2day.com to take the pledge and be entered to win!


What are some frugal outdoor activities that you enjoy with your family?  I'd love to hear!


I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Clorox2® blogging program, for a gift card worth $40. For more information on how you can participate, click here.