Best Backyard Swim and Play 2024

Are you looking for backyard fun ideas that won’t break the bank? I’ve got you covered!

There are plenty of options for backyard play, especially involving water. When my three kids were little, two years apart in age, it was difficult to go places and keep them all happy, contained, and safe.

We lived in the city of Chicago and my backyard wasn’t very big but I managed to set up several activity stations geared toward their individual ages.

In the summer months we’d be outside after breakfast until lunch, take naps and then hit the backyard again until bed time.

This fun backyard is geared toward ages 2-12 and includes seven activity ideas, which of course involves mostly water fun!

7 Activity Ideas List

Swimming Pool for Kids & Dog
Water Table & Paint
Water Guns & Balloons
Swim & Splash & Bubbles
Hottub & Hammock
After Swim Crafts & Shade
After Swim Snacks & Drinks

Swimming Pool for Kids & Dog

A pool is a must have especially in the hot summer states. But a pool doesn’t have to be pricey or difficult to maintain. It’s especially easy to please younger kids.

Always remember water safety, and never leave your kids unattended even if they know how to swim or are wearing floaties. Floaties are a false sense of security and it only takes an inch of water to drown. This is a great starter pool for small or large backyards.

Keep your pup cool during the dog days of summer with a bit of water play. Most dogs love splashing about in a dog pool. Who can blame them?

They will have a fantastic playtime alone or with kids on a pad that has a fountain effect or just jumping around in the water.

Remember that dogs get very dehydrated too so keep an eye on them in the heat and make sure they get plenty of water. This is a great splash pad for your dog and kids.

Water Table & Paint

A water table is a classic time passer. My kids could stand for hours at our water table just pouring and pouring water. You will never go wrong with a water table and all its accessories. Make sure you set it up in the shade. The umbrella that comes with the table and sunscreen is usually not enough to protect your kids from the sun for longer than 10 minutes. This is a fun water table.

Another fun water activity is painting the fence. It’s cheap and easy. Just buy a few buckets and paintbrushes from the dollar store and set them up next to a wooden fence or side of your house. Fill the bucket with water and hand over the paintbrushes to your kids. Their imagination will soar!.

Water Guns & Balloons

What can go wrong with water guns and water-filled balloons? Not much! And the age range for these fun activities is quite broad. Your teenagers will even join in!

Water balloons can be found at the dollar store. And these water guns are lightweight and easy to grip for little kids to play with. Pushing and pulling is smooth and effortless, and the pump power design is more effortless to play.

Swim & Splash & Bubbles

An inflatable giant game sprinkler is perfect for family and friends games, swimming pool games, summer beach parties, pool parties, the upcoming Independence Day party outdoor indoor teamwork activities, and birthdays. It’s safe and fun and gets people moving. This is a great patriotic inflatable.

Bubbles are always fun and magical, especially for little kids. There’s the traditional bubble liquid you can make easily at home with dishwater soap and water to fancy battery-driven bubble machines.

Hammock & Hot Tub

After all the play, kids and adults need a place to relax. A hammock or bean bags under a shaded tree can be the perfect spot for reading or taking a summer nap. This is a beautiful and sturdy hammock.

You can also set up a hot tub for some adult relaxation after the kids have gone to bed or even woken up in the morning. There are great inflatable hot tubs and you can even do a swim workout in them. Check out my article on easy swim workouts.

After Swim Crafts & Shade

Closer to nap or bed time after a fun and active morning or afternoon a quiet more slow paced sit down craft might come in handy.

My kids loved playing with playdough in the shade and I certainly didn’t mind or even bother to clean up spills because we were outside on our porch or sitting on a blanket on our lawn. Put on some music and craft away! This is such a fun ice cream playdough kit.

After Swim Snacks & Drinks

Finally at the end of the day you can’t go wrong with good ole American smores. Every child needs to be introduced to this tradition at some point.

My kids loved making smores in our small Chicago backyard. It was the perfect ending of a summer day. I hope you will enjoy this easy tabletop smores kit too!

Bottom Line

The best summer backyard for kids is one that balances fun, learning, and safety. It’s a place where you and your family make memories and the joys of childhood and summer are celebrated together. Here are some more fun toys for your kids and baby to enjoy!

Apart from the fun, always ensure that the play area is free from hazards and that all equipment is age appropriate and well maintained. Regularly check for any sharp edges, loose parts, or unstable surfaces. Most of all, enjoy this special time and age with your kids!