TWO Fantastic Outdoor Games For Summer... made using dollar store supplies

This time of year, as the temperatures are rising, my family is spending more and more time outside. My boys enjoy shooting baskets and playing street hockey, and we love having outdoor campfires and watching movies on our deck, but we also like having a few outdoor games to play. So, today I'm sharing TWO fantastic outdoor games that you can easily making using dollar store supplies. You are going to love these!

1) The first option is a classic Tic Tac Toe game. I found this one at the dollar store for $4, but I wanted to upgrade it to look more "high end" sitting on my deck.

So.... I grabbed some yellow craft paint and a dollar store paint brush and painted the box holding the Xs and the Os. I also sprayed it with a clear sealer so that it could withstand the elements.

Didn't it turn out great? It's amazing what a little paint can do.

I love how the yellow "pops" and co-ordinates with the other yellow accessories on my deck.

2) The second option is this "deck dice" game you can easily make using the oversized foam dice that are for sale at the dollar store.

All you need to do is find a container to hold the dice, and attach the label I designed to the front. Click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

Then, print the score sheet below, and start playing.

To download the score sheet: click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 8x10 photo.

If you want to make the sheets reusable, you can laminate them and use a dry erase marker.

This game (which is like Yahzee) is such an easy game to throw together, and it's perfect for a variety of age groups.

I hope you take a trip to the dollar store and get the supplies you need to make these fun outdoor games. Let me know (in the comments) which one is your favourite.

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Don't miss out on any of the fun... follow me on social media here.

     

You might also like the dollar store decor ideas here.

{Easy} Outdoor Play

It's summer, and the boys and I are all about taking advantage of the wonderful summer weather.  Here are a couple of the easy and inexpensive outdoor actitivities we have been doing. 

DIY Target Practice {made from a Dollar Store Tarp}:

Earlier in the summer, I saw a fun target practice at Family Fun.  {You can see their version here.}  I knew my boys would love it, so I got out my twine, scissors, duct tape, pizza pans, and a dollar store tarp and went to work.  It took about 10 minutes to put together, and the boys love it.  Such a simple and fun idea.

Water Play:

My boys love playing with water in the summer.  {I considered buying a water table but decided against it because of limited storage space.}  So... on hot afternoons we get out our spray bottles, measuring cups, and plastic dishes and we make our own "water fun".  A bowl of soapy water and some sponges make a great "kid car wash" too.

The boys also like to get out their paint brushes and "paint with water".  Such a fun, refreshing, and "no mess" activity. 

I hope you are enjoying your summer.  What is your favorite "simple" outdoor play idea? 

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

* You can find me on facebook here.