10 Tips for an Awesome Backyard Staycation
Build your dream backyard
The Coronavirus is very real threat that can infect even the healthiest of people and already has more than a hundred thousand casualties. With a high rate of infection, countries all over the world have had to enforce lockdowns and quarantines to stop the virus from spreading. Millions of people are doing their part to help flatten the curve by staying at home. Which is why instead of going on a summer vacation, you should do a staycation instead. More and more people have been using this time to engage in little projects to make their house and backyard more staycation worthy.
Since going on a vacation is out of the question for now, you can invest the money to upgrade and turn your backyard into an oasis that can rival any resort. You can build a pergola for shade. Fix up your lawn and fill your garden with beautiful plants and flowers. You can even build an outdoor kitchen or maybe a brick oven for making pizzas. Putting in the time and effort into creating your dream backyard will be an investment that you can enjoy for years to come.
Listed below are ten recommended backyard activities for having fun with the family, as well as some ideas on how you can upgrade your backyard during this pandemic to turn it into an oasis you would enjoy spending time in for years to come.
1. Create your outdoor lounge area
The first step is deciding if you’d rather have a patio or deck for the backyard. If you already have one, fix it up by adding a few elements to make it a place you’d love to spend more time in or into a cozy lounge area. You can add a few outdoor furnishings like a wooden bench or an outdoor ceiling fan. One cool addition you can build yourself is this outdoor bar cart. Nothing says vacation more than happy hour in your own backyard.
2. Get a hammock
You might be surprised how a simple backyard hammock can give you the best bang for your buck when it comes to rest and relaxation. Hanging it up between some trees means you can enjoy listening to music or read a good book under the shade as you relax from the way your hammock sways from side to side. You can also place a small table close by to have some snacks and a cold drink easily within your reach. Having a hammock means you can take advantage of those lazy afternoons the best way possible, taking a nap under the shade.
3. Exercise in your backyard
You don’t need to head to the gym to enjoy a good workout. There are plenty of home workout tutorials videos online that you can watch along and follow. If the weather is nice and warm, change up your routine by working out in your backyard instead. Whether it’s yoga, aerobics, or another form of exercise, doing them in your backyard gives you the benefits of plenty of fresh air and sunlight.
4. Have a backyard cookout
Staycations are meant for spoiling yourself, and a good way of doing that is by cooking up and eating something delicious. Fire up that grill, fill the cooler with your favorite drinks, play some good music, and start cooking up some good barbeque. This is also a great time to bond with your kids, so let them help with preparing the food and with cooking.
5. Cool-off with the family
If the weather gets too hot, a nice way of cooling yourself off in the backyard is to go swim. Building and maintaining a pool in your backyard can be expensive, but purchasing an above ground pool is a good alternative. They come in all shapes and sizes, are affordable, and can be set-up quickly. Another fun backyard activity would be having a water fight with your kids. All you need are some water balloons and water guns to get the kids running and laughing while you try to soak them. Add to the fun by using a garden hose to really make sure everyone gets drenched.
6. Build a firepit
Having a backyard firepit gives a sense of comfort and adds a resort like feel to the ambience of your backyard. Building a firepit doesn’t have to be expensive, there are plenty of videos and articles online that give you details on how build one while staying within your budget. You and your kids will have plenty of fun nights singing together, sharing stories, and roasting delicious marshmallows.
7. Go camping
Bring out the camping gear and pitch a tent in the backyard for a fun night of camping with the kids. If your area prohibits campfires, no problem. Camping at home means you can use the microwave so you and the kids can still enjoy some delicious s’mores. Huddle close, tell some spooky stories, or bring out a guitar and sing some songs. Camping in your backyard is a great way of introducing children to camping while enjoying the safety and comforts of home.
8. Go on a social media detox
If you find yourself constantly feeling anxious while checking social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, you might want to turn your smartphone off and take a break from social media. Social media addiction is very real and can lead to lower self-esteem, anxiety, and depression. Which is why going on a social media detox has many benefits and is a great way of taking care of your mental health. Pamper yourself by fixing yourself a drink and spending the day in your backyard listening to music or reading a good book, while keeping your smartphone turned off.
9. Build a relaxing garden area
The sound of flowing water can be very calming, and building a backyard pond gives you a great spot if you want to practice meditation. It’s a nice area you can sit and relax while enjoying a cup of coffee in the morning, and makes for a great place when winding down during the end of your day. A backyard pond is a fantastic addition that can attract birds, frogs, and colorful butterflies. Making your backyard into a literal mini oasis.
10. Take care of yourself
Spending time outside has so many health benefits. Making sure you are healthy both mentally and physically is one way of pampering yourself. Don’t forget to put some suntan lotion to protect from harmful UV rays. Keep yourself free from bugs by using the best natural bug spray out there, Nantucket Spider. You don’t have to worry about side effects since it’s a DEET-free bug spray. What makes Nantucket Spider the best essential oil insect repellent is our special blend of organic essential oils such as cedarwood, clove, geranium, lemongrass, peppermint, rosemary, spearmint, and citronella. Nantucket Spider also has an insect repellent for kids, so everyone in your family stays bug-free.