With the onset of spring and summer, enjoying backyard activities becomes a top priority for most families. One of the best ways to have fun with family and friends during the warm months is to entertain them with fun family outdoor games. I am not talking about a trampoline or the classic lawn darts (which I loved to play as a kid, it’s dangerous by the way). I am referring to the games that you can affordably pickup at the sporting goods superstores, your local department store or online. Here is a list of some games that you can enjoy with your family and have hours of fun without having to invest your hard earned savings into something like a large swimming pool.
- Bocce
- Horseshoes
- Ladder ball
- Corn-hole
- Badminton
- Washer Toss
Yes, all of these games have the same basic concept of throwing or hitting an object and trying to be the most skillful at the task. These games make for a lot of outdoor family fun. But what if you are trying to beat the heat and still stay on a budget?
My childhood is filled with memories of the long hot summers of the south and trying to stay cool while playing outside on a Slip N Slide. The simple pleasure of sliding out of control on a banana-yellow colored piece of plastic brought hours of enjoyment to my childhood. And guess what. You can still buy them online for about twenty bucks or less. Just Google it and see for yourself.
The key to enjoying the spring and summer with your family is to spend it together outside. You and your children spend hours on the computer and in front of the TV every day. Take time this weekend and spend some time outside. You’ll be glad you did.
As spring approaches, and boy am I looking forward to it after this harsh winter, many of us are thinking about getting outside and enjoying the warm weather with our families. But relatively speaking we want to be able to enjoy being outside but still have some protection from the elements and the harsh rays of the sun. And that is where choosing an outdoor covering that will meet your needs comes into play.
So what is the difference between an awning and a canopy? Many people use the two words interchangeably, and I guess that is really okay. But when I think of a canopy, I usually am not referring to the overhead fabric covering, I am thinking about an entire structure that can be permanently installed or a portable model that you can take with you on the go.
An awning is typically a structure that is permanently installed directly to your home, condo or apartment building. This type of outdoor covering can be made of many different kinds of materials. These materials can be made of canvas, aluminum or even vinyl or PVC based material.
Like I mentioned before, awnings are typically a permanently installed structure. But they do not have to be permanently in place. There are so many models on the market these days that are retractable and made of fabric or vinyl. This allows them to be kept out of the elements during the off season so they can last for multiple years. You probably have seen lots of commercial marketing the different retractable models that they have for sale.
Think about which options are important to you. A professionally installed awning could cost you hundreds or even a few thousand dollars depending upon its size, features and complexity. But a good quality portable canopy can only cost a couple of hundred dollars and more than adequately meet your needs.
