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.

How to BBQ Donuts

Summer is the perfect time for sparking up the BBQ, but grilling isn't just for meals, it's wonderful for desserts too. For years, I have read about people grilling donuts, but I never got around to trying it... until a few week sago. Let me tell you... grilled donuts are easy to make and they did NOT disappoint!

Step 1 - Buy a box of glazed donuts. We tried chocolate and plain, and the plain were much better. I've heard it works well with old fashioned sugar donuts too. That's next on our list!

Step 2 - Clean your grill really well. You may even want to turn it up really high to burn off any nasty bits of food.


Step 3 - Place donuts on grill (over medium heat).

Step 4 - Cook a couple of minutes on each side. Watch them closely. You want the glaze to caramelize, and you want grill marks... but you don't want them to turn black. You'll want to use tongs and a spatula to keep the donuts from breaking apart.

The donuts will be slightly crispy on the outside, and warm and soft on the inside. You can eat them plain, or you can top them with ice cream and a bit of chocolate sauce.

Grilled donuts were a big hit in my house, and we will definitely be making them again. If you give them a try, let me know what you think.

♥ 
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also enjoy the campfire treats here.

2020 Summer Checklist... Covid Edition

Every year my boys and I put together a summer checklist. We include 50 of our favourite summer activities, and we spend our vacation checking items off the list. This year, our list has been adjusted to conform with Covid social distancing and travel restrictions, but there are still tons of easy and inexpensive adventures in our future. Below, you will find a FREE printable version of our 2020 summer checklist, as well as some really helpful links.

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


Then, check out the links below for more helpful hints, tutorials, recipes, and ideas.


1) Celebrate Canada Day

2) Watch fireworks or play with sparklers

3) Have an outdoor picnic or BBQ

4) Go to a splash pad, swim in a pool or run through a sprinkler

5) Buy a meal from a food truck or local restaurant

6) Paint a rock and leave it for someone to find

7) Read a book outside

8) Have a water fight or NERF gun battle

9) Have a movie night outside or go to a drive in

10) Do an “at home” escape room

11) Eat donuts from a string (with no hands)

12) Have a parent/child “one on one” date (kid’s choice… under $20 and 2 hours)

13) Plant something and watch it grow

14) Make a craft

15) Build a fort (inside the house or outside)

16) Get ice cream in PJs (drive throughs are OK)

17) Play catch, basketball or street hockey

18) Make homemade ice cream or make milkshakes

19) Go for a bike ride

20) Decorate a cake or bake cookies

21) Spend time at a cottage, beach or park

22) Do a science experiment

23) Play a board game outside

24) Go geo-caching

25) Have a "kids pick the meals" day

26) Play chocolate bar BINGO (like regular BINGO, but with chocolate bar prizes)

27) Play golf or mini golf

28) Learn a “trick shot” or magic trick

29) Try a new food or a new recipe

30) Have a theme day (e.g. spy training day, "parents say yes" day or "spend our gift cards" day)

31) Camp at a campground, in the backyard or in the living room

32) Have a PJ day

33) Build a large puzzle

34) Make a video

35) Fly a kite

36) Have a dance party or sing karaoke

37) Go on a scavenger hunt

38) Organize a drawer, closet or room

39) Play with water balloons

40) Do a good deed or raise money for charity

41) Go on a road trip to another city or town

42) Make an obstacle course in the yard or go for a walk in the rain

43) Roast marshmallows, make s'mores or cook a different campfire treat

44) Write and mail a letter or postcard

45) Visit at least 5 different ice cream stands

46) Go stargazing

47) Pick your own

48) Pick your own

49) Pick your own

50) HAVE ICE CREAM FOR SUPPER!

Creating and completing a summer checklist really is one of my favourite family traditions. We've had to "tweak" it a bit this year due to Covid, but we still have lots of wonderful activities planned. 

Does your family have a summer checklist? Are you planning to print mine? If you don't want to include all the items on the list, you can just choose your favourites. Have fun!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)