Creating a Backyard Oasis for a Memorable Summer
You don’t need to travel far to enjoy all that summer has to offer. So much of our summer hours are spent in the backyard as we barbecue with friends, watch the kiddos splash around in the water or lounge on the lawn devouring a great book.
Whether you plan to celebrate the summer’s sizzling days by grilling in your backyard or passing a lazy weekend lounging by the pool, you’ll want to make sure you have all the outdoor living, lighting, lawn care and entertainment essentials needed to savor the season. With the right ingredients, you can transform any ordinary summer day into an unforgettable moment that will be talked about long after the heat fades.
Build a Cozy Backyard Fire Pit
Spend some quality time with the family roasting s’mores, gazing at the stars and swapping stories around the campfire. Whether you want something ready made or you are more of a do-it-yourselfer, you’ll find everything you need at Rocky’s ACE Hardware to build the perfect fire pit, including in-ground, above-ground and even propane-fueled models that can often still be used when summer burn bans are enforced.
Life-Sized Lawn Games
From ladder golf to washer toss to a backyard obstacle course, it’s easy to construct family-friendly games that will keep everyone laughing for hours. With just four cans of spray paint, you can take Twister outside. You can even build a life-sized version of Jenga with a stack of two-by-four blocks. Simply cut out 54 pieces of wood 10.5 inches long, sand them down and then issue a challenge to see who has the best balancing skills.
Plan a Family Vegetable Garden
Provide your kids with an activity they can really dig into this summer by working together as a family to plant a vegetable garden. Growing their own food will give them a sense of responsibility and empowerment, and it just might entice them to try new foods that they usually wrinkle their noses at when it appears on the dinner table. Children of all ages will enjoy popping open pea pods, squishing juicy blueberries and plucking ripe cherry tomatoes from the vine.
For more exciting summer celebration and entertainment ideas, browse the Rocky’s ACE Hardware Project Center or Pinterest inspiration boards, which both offer tips on everything from firing up the grill to creating pretty patios to decking out your backyard.