As we get into summer, the weather starts to get nicer, and kids grow restless of being inside, more and more I see the benefit of outdoor toys. Every day we give Lawson time in the backyard to run around, stretch his legs, and chase the chickens. It helps with his sanity and ours. We’ve invested in several energy burning outdoor toys for him and they’ve been a game-changer for his behavior. Pair that with outdoor I SPY scavenger hunts and he is one happy boy! I wanted to share some of our finds and favorite outdoor toys with you, trying to keep in mind families with various ages of kids. This compilation of outdoor toys has something for every age group and know your kids will find something on here they’ll enjoy!
1| Bubble Lawnmower– This lawnmower is perfect for any kid wanting to help out outside! Kids can run and get all their energy out while pushing the lawnmower or chasing bubbles!2| Trampoline– What kid doesn’t like a trampoline? Trampolines have never gone out of style and are such a great outdoor toy for any age.3| Water Table– Lawson absolutely loves his water table and has been obsessed with water since his first bath. I love the two levels this table has and all the gadgets that keep kids entertained for a long time!4| Sandbox with Canopy– It’s starting to get hot out there, but this sandbox is so cute and functional with the canopy. Nice and big so several kids can play at once.
5| Splash Pad– We just ordered this with Lawson’s birthday money. It’s bigger than most of the ones I saw and had great reviews! Several people I know have gotten this splash pad and said it has been an amazing outdoor toy. 6| See-Saw– Such a classic outdoor toy and perfect for kiddos. They learn balance, how to push and pull, and more. The bright colors make this See-Saw so much fun.7| Fun N Fruity Pool– Intex is a brand we love. I tried to look for our fun castle/dragon pool but it doesn’t seem to be made anymore. Still, these kid pools are made so well and I’ve been very impressed with ours! I love the bright colors and fun fruits on this one. Kids will love it.8| Stomp Rocket Dueling Rockets– Talk about energy burning! The higher you jump, the higher the rockets fly! Get a good competition going between siblings or friends with this fun outdoor toy.
9| 3 in 1 Triple Splash T-Ball Set– This is a 3 in 1 game that can attach to a water hose and spray water as you hit the ball! Great for a hot day. Thick plastic makes this t-ball set a really durable outdoor toy that any kid will enjoy.10| Spider Web Tree Swing– Looking for a swing for your tree? This spider web tree swing is fun for kids and adults. Holds up to 600 lbs so the whole family can have a blast outside.11| Mini Golf Adventure Park Inflatable– Can’t go to play mini golf? Bring mini golf to you! This mini golf inflatable is 17ft 9in L x 14ft W x 4ft H and has 5 goofy holes: Sand Trap, Pinball Pass, Windmill Spin, Gator Way and Switchback Finale. Plus it inflates in less than 2 minutes with the included blower motor.12| Ninja Obstacle Course Line Kit– If your kid loves to climb on everything like mine does, you’ll want this ninja obstacle course set. The 40 foot line easily holds up to 300 lbs and comes with twin gear ractchet, tree protectors, 8 obstacles (4 Gymnastic rings, 2 Fist holds, 2 Monkey bars with 13 Safety strap buckles and delta rings), a carry bag, instruction manual, and gift box. Phew!
13| Fold Up Soccer Goal Set– Where are my soccer fans at? This soccer goal set is perfect outdoor toy for the backyard thanks to easy set up and fold down. Also comes with stakes to make sure it doesn’t blow away!14| Flarts Floor Dart Game– Although the name may be funny, Flarts is a floor dart game perfect for outdoors! It is set-up in minutes! Just open up the box, lay out the lawn darts mat, push some pegs into the corners to hold down if it’s windy, blow up the 3 inflatable darts and you’re good to go! It is a classic dart game on one side and a funny monster face on the other15| Ride Along Jeep– I loved my Jeep as a kid. When I became an adult I actually got one that matched my childhood Jeep and life was complete. This ride along Jeep has a parental controller in case your child is too little to steer on their own.16| Inflatable Shark Sprinkler– This is one fun outdoor toy! We love any water toys, and this inflatable shark sprinkler is over 6 feet wide! Add it with the Super Slide below and you’re set for days and days of outdoor fun.
17| Build-A-House– I absolutely love this Build-A-House because it’s not your typical outdoor playhouse. This is a colorful playhouse with interchangeable panels where parents build the frame and roof, then kids customize the rest! Includes 25+ customizable panels and accessories, and a kid-friendly drill and screwdriver, and will bring so much fun to kids because they can build their house over and over again.18| Bubble Bumper Balls– Get enough of these Bubble Bumper Balls for the whole family and have a blast bumping into each other! So many laughs and the perfect outdoor toy for any age.19| 4-in-1 Sports Fun Day Set– Sometimes, you just need to get out and run around. This sports fun day set is perfect for an outdoor family relay. Comes with a Potato Sack Race, Three-legged Race, Egg and Spoon Race, and Bean Bag Toss Game!20| Super Slide– There’s something so fun about a slip n slide isn’t there? This Super Slide is HUGE at 6 feet x 25 feet long! Plus, you can purchase other Super Slides and connect them to mkae an even larger slide! This Super Slide comes with two mega sleds to lay on and slide down. So. Much. Fun.
Need some toys for indoors too? Check out these energy burning indoor toys and fun family game night games!
I don’t know about your family, but our family loves board games. Having family game night is something we really enjoy doing. Sometimes we play with the kids, and sometimes we wait for the kids to go to bed and play cheesy kid games from our younger years just for fun. Either way, they’re a blast! We’ve been trying to take advantage of being home more and have really enjoyed playing games, so we thought we’d share some favorites that you all would enjoy too!
I want to note that I wanted to adhere to the under $20 limit on all of these family game night games, so you may see a few with a variation. Amazon surprisingly seemed to be the more expensive of the two retailers, so either the option to purchase it from Amazon isn’t linked because theirs was over $20, or I linked an alternative (which is denoted in the description of the games.)
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1| The Floor is Lava- Amazon // Target: We recently got this game and I love the concept! With The Floor is Lava game, furniture gets a break! A spinner, 25 colored foam tiles, and 27 action cards ramp-up the fun on this classic game of imagination and adventure. Remember, DON’T TOUCH THE FLOOR! You and your family will enjoy a fun family game night with this game.2| Pie Face- Amazon // Target: I love this game when we can get together with family during holidays. Unfortunately, we can’t do that right now, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have fun with it just us! Place your head on the chin rest and turn the handle, and hope that you don’t trigger the spinner and get Pie faced with whipped cream!3| Baa Baa Bubbles- Amazon // Target: I loved this game for kids around Lawson’s age (2 and up). In Baa Baa Bubbles, players take turns feeding meadow tiles to Bubbles the Sheep. As Bubbles is fed, her wool made of real bubbles grows! But watch out, you don’t want to make this adorable sheep sneeze! 4| Watch Ya Mouth- Amazon // Target: We have this game and have never laughed harder! This one is for 2nd graders and up, and is so fun! Teams of players, hampered by cheek retractors, attempt to read and interpret phrases from 4 unique card decks: Classic, Sing It, Pop Culture and Head to Head. Grab this one for your family game night if you don’t have it. You’ll love it.
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5| Unicorn Magic Ring Toss- Target: Our family loves silly games. The sillier, the better! With the Uniocrn Magic Ring Toss you put the horn on your head and catch as many rings as you can. The player to catch the most rings (no hands allowed!) wins.6| Yeti In My Spaghetti- Amazon // Target: This game is such a fun one for family game night. In this wacky, fun game, the noodles are laid across the bowl and Yeti is just sitting there on the noodles. As you remove the noodles one by one, Yeti could fall into the bowl, and that would mean you lose. 7| Operation- Amazon // Target: So oddly the regular Operation is more than $20 on Amazon, but I found this amazing Chewbacca edition on there and had to share it with you all! Our family loves Star Wars (in fact, Addie meeting Rey and Chewie was one of the major highlights from our Disney Make A Wish trip) so I couldn’t pass up that fun edition of such a classic game. Target has the classic version, which is equally as fun!8| Color Brain Disney Edition Card Game- Target: Who else is a Disney fan? Our family can’t get enough of Disney (did you check out the post on Addie meeting Anna and Elsa?) In this game, each player starts with 11 color cards in their hand. Each round, they must decide which color (or colors) they want to use as their answer to one of the crafty Disney questions, from “The color of the feather in Captain Hook’s hat” to “Buzz Lightyear’s Star Command logo”.
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9| Exploding Kittens- Target: My nephew introduced me to this game a couple years ago and I had so much fun playing it with him. Exploding Kittens is a strategic card game which has only one simple aim – avoid getting blown up by those exploding kittens at all costs. Start the game by putting the cards face down and players take turns drawing cards, until someone draws an exploding kitten card. If they do, they explode and are out of the card game unless they have a diffuse card.10| Mouse Trap- Target: This game is a classic and definitely one you want to have in your family game closet! Mouse Trap is great way for kids to practice & learn cause and effect relationships. This board game consists of how moving parts work, mechanical understanding at a an early age, and overall having a great time while hunting for cheese!11| Frozen Frantic Forest- Target: We are big Frozen fans in this house. When I saw this game I knew we needed it! In the Frozen Frantic Forest game, players move along the board, collecting and hanging snowflakes on the tree branches as they go. Whose snowflake will cause the tree to open, sending Olaf through the air? You’ll have to play to find out!12| The Sneaky Snacky Squirrel Game- Amazon // Target: Homes with little ones will enjoy this game! Help forest friends find their acorns in this fun and addictive toddler board game designed to teach young children about colors. Easy to understand and play—no reading required. A great first game to introduce to kids.
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13| Octopus Shootout- Target: Make ‘em spin and score to win with Octopus Shootout! This fun and frenzied octopus hockey game for kids improves hand-eye coordination while having a ton of fun. Load your marbles, spin the tentacles to shoot and score to win!14| Hungry Hungry Hippos- Amazon // Target: I always loved going to friend’s houses when they had this game! I never owned it and couldn’t resist playing it any time I saw it around. Whichever hippo you choose, you’ll have to move fast, because if your hippo chomps the most marbles, you win! Just an FYI- the Amazon version I linked in this game is less than $20 but I did not link the regular sized game because theirs was much more than $20.15| Trolls World Tour Trouble- Amazon // Target: Trolls fans, look out! This DreamWorks Trolls World Tour edition of the Trouble game combines classic Trouble game with Trolls tricks! Players move around the gameboard as Poppy, Branch, Cooper, or Queen Barb, visiting the musical lands throughout the Trolls world. The first player to get all 4 of their Troll pawns to the Finish space wins! 16| Pictionary- Amazon // Target: Elementary aged kids and up will love Pictionary. This game tests a players skill and ability to quickly draw out images that make it the easiest for your team members to guess the word. It’s always a fun time with this game around, a party favorite, you sure can count on big laughs as you discover the artist in your friends and family.
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17| Pay Day- Amazon // Target: I love when games teach skills, and Pay Day is great for teaching kids about counting and budgeting. This is for elementary age and up and one of my personal favorite family board games!18| Pop the Pig- Amazon // Target: If you have younger kids, this game is a great one. Players take turns rolling the die, feeding the pig, and pushing down on his head. Each pump makes his belly grow bigger, bigger, and bigger until… POP! Great for learning colors and numbers.19| Jenga- Amazon // Target: This classic game is a favorite in the Wolfe household. We get super competitive with it! This game is a staple in any home and perfect for the whole family. Stack the wooden blocks and try not to topple the tower over! What’s not to love?20| Twister- Amazon // Target: Twister is a classic family game night game! It creates so many laughs and gets everyone all twisted up! If you don’t have this one in your game closet, it’s a must.
Want more ideas for things to do? Check out this incredible list of energy burning indoor toys or outdoor I Spy scavenger hunt free printables!
Have you tried the amazingness of Dalgona Coffee? It’s gone viral, and rightly so! It’s originally an Indian or Pakistani beverage and consists of coffee that has been whipped to become creamy. It originated from a South Korean YouTube channel before going viral on TikTok. Once I caught wind about this yummy treat, I wanted to try it, but realized I would need to modify it since Mathew and I are doing keto. After a few tiny swaps, I came up with a Keto Dalgona Coffee that you are going to love! It’s low in carbs and high in flavor and the perfect treat morning, afternoon, or night.
If you were curious, Dalgona Coffee gets its name from the fluffy, toffee-like texture of the coffee when whipped into foam. Once the fluffy mix is made, it is poured over ice cold or warmed milk and ready to drink. The spike in interest during the quarantine period has made this drink so popular, and rightly so- it’s absolutely delicious! If you’re missing Starbucks, definitely grab what you need, because this Keto Dalgona Coffee will knock your socks off.
Here’s what you need for Keto Dalgona Coffee:
Instant Coffee
Swerve Confectioners or Monkfruit Sweetener
Coconut Milk (the 1/2 gallon, not can) or Almond Milk, Unsweetened
Coffee Frother
This delicious drink is incredibly simple, and only takes a few minutes to make. If you’re in a hurry to start your day or just want a fast treat, this is definitely the way to go. I prefer mine cold, but feel free to warm up your milk and try it hot! Directions:1| Mix Your Ingredients: In a mug, add 2 tablespoons of your instant coffee, 2 tablespoons of Swerve Confectioners or Monkfruit sweetener, and 2 tablespoons of hot water. This is the main component to your Keto Dalgona Coffee.2| Froth: Using your coffee frother, move the frother in an up and down motion to aerate the Dalgona mixture. You’ll want to froth your coffee/sweetener/water mixture until it is thick and has toffee color. 3| Grab a Mug or Glass: It’s up to you how much of the Keto Dalgona Coffee you want, but I chose a mug. Either way, pour your Unsweetened Coconut Milk or Almond Milk into your mug about 2/3 full. If you plan ahead, I suggest putting your dairy-free milk-filled mug in the freezer so it’s a little crystallized when it’s ready to drink.4| Pour It On + Enjoy: Using a spoon, dollop your Keto Dalgona Coffee mixture on top of your milk. You can either leave it separated or you can use your spoon to mix the two together and drink. Either way, this Keto Dalgona Coffee is a combination that you will absolutely love and want to enjoy over and over.
Tried the recipe? Let me know if you enjoyed the Keto Dalgona Coffee as much as I do! Don’t forget to check out my other recipes before you go for more yummy treats.
For many, having a holiday during this uncertain time is upsetting. Parents feel as though their kids are missing out on their last months of senior year, or their first year of Kindergarten, or many other milestones. To toss a holiday in the mix may mean missing out on spending quality time with extended family, losing a loved tradition, and more.
As a special needs mom, I’m so grateful for everyone staying home and I deeply support it, however, I fully see the opposite side of the coin and why others are so sad during this time. Our family is a pro at staying home for Addie’s safety (even for Easter), and we’ve even shared our tips on staying healthy. Still, I wanted to share with you some ways that you can make the best out of a social distancing Easter. Ways that still encourage good, fun family time!
FIND YOUR SUNDAY BEST FOR YOUR SOCIAL DISTANCING EASTER. One of the things I’ve had to do as a special needs mom is fake it til I make it. You will feel so much better about having a social distancing Easter if you’re dressed up for the occasion. Find an Easter dress from Target or cute pastel dress from Amazon to have shipped, or even an outfit from your closet! Once you are dressed the part, you’ll be ready to play the part!PARTICIPATE IN YOUR CHURCH’S LIVESTREAM. Church is really important to our family, and Easter is an especially important day. Our church has a livestream that you can find on the church website and Facebook page. A social distancing Easter doesn’t have to mean going without church! Our church has also announced they’ll be having the Lord’s Supper that day, and our family is making sure that our grocery list has the bread and grape juice to participate.DYE EASTER EGGS! This time-honored tradition is one of my favorites. I love buying the Easter dying kits because they’re inexpensive and there is so much variety these days! You can order a Classic set, Marbled set, Golden egg set, or even the Deggorating set (which has a combination of each of the individual sets.) DON’T SKIP THE TRADITIONAL EASTER BASKETS AND EGG HUNT! I really love Target because I can order everything I need and either have it shipped to me right now or I can pick it up curbside. Make your social distancing Easter traditional by ordering a cute Easter basket and fillers. I enjoy a classic wicker basket, but this chick basket and this bunny basket are too cute, too! I love the Easter basket fillers Target is offering, and don’t forget the Baby Yoda Easter Basket goodies I’ve shared too! Don’t forget the plastic eggs for the hunt, and I hope you’ll make sure to take pictures of your kids with your baskets.MAKE A SMALLER VERSION OF YOUR TYPICAL EASTER MEAL. If you usually have a big ham, tons of side dishes, and lots of desserts, I encourage you to still have your special Easter meal, but scale it down a little this year. Buy a smaller ham, make 1 or 2 smaller side dishes, and 1 dessert. You can even bring the kids in on the fun by having them help make Resurrection Rolls so they can learn about the story of Easter, get festive, and have fun knowing they helped with the meal.
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PLAN ON HAVING YOUR SOCIAL DISTANCING EASTER MEAL WITH YOUR FAMILY VIA FACETIME, ZOOM, OR SKYPE. Family is so important for many when it comes to having holidays. If you know you’ll be missing family, I highly recommend choosing a set time for everyone to eat, and then calling them through whatever social platform you all prefer. You’ll have a feeling of togetherness despite the miles apart, and it’ll make your holiday just that much better.MAKE EASTER COLORED DEVILED EGGS FOR AN EXTRA FESTIVE EASTER MEAL. Just boil your eggs, peel, slice in half, save your yolks, and put the whites aside. Then get some mugs out, fill about 2/3 with water and add 1 tsp of vinegar and however many drops of food coloring you like. Add your egg white halves in until you get the color you like, allow to dry on a paper towel, and then finish them with your favorite deviled egg recipe. If you like a naturally derived food coloring we like Watkins, but if you want vivid colors you’ll want McCormick Neon.HAVE A NEIGHBORHOOD EASTER EGG HUNT. Email a template of Easter eggs to your neighbors or post in your local neighborhood mom Facebook group. Have the kids decorate them and hide them in windows for other kids to search for when going on walks or social distancing drives.
Which of these social distancing Easter plans do you plan on doing?
There has never been a happier time in my child’s life than the day she met Anna and Elsa at Walt Disney World. As a Make-A-Wish family, we were directed to the shop next door to the entrance to meet Anna and Elsa, and waited as they cleared out every single person from line. We were directed in the room where Anna and Elsa stood (dressed in their best Frozen 2 outfits), and I started to exclaim, “Addie! Look! It’s your favorite! It’s Anna and Elsa!” Tears flowed as I’d never seen Addie beam from ear to ear as big as she did in that moment. They let us talk to them however long we wanted, they talked about building snowmen, and literally made Addie the happiest child (and me the happiest mom) ever. Anna and Elsa had no idea how they helped our family over the years, through the magic that happened over a tv screen.
Frozen was a huge part of our lives the year it came out, because it was what we played on repeat for Addie at night when I would have to go home so she wouldn’t feel alone in the hospital. It got us through an insanely hard year, that year, and although it was just a movie for many, it was so much more for our family. When Frozen 2 came out, I knew I wanted to take Addie for her very first movie theater experience to see it. With how much she loved Frozen, it was only right. We dressed her up in a beautiful Anna dress that her Auntie K bought her, took her to the fanciest movie theater in town, and had a blast. She loved it, we loved it, and it was so very special.
If you haven’t seen Frozen 2 yet it is incredible, and in my opinion, better than the first (which was amazing too!) Elsa the Snow Queen has an extraordinary gift — the power to create ice and snow. But no matter how happy she is to be surrounded by the people of Arendelle, Elsa finds herself strangely unsettled. After hearing a mysterious voice call out to her, Elsa travels to the enchanted forests and dark seas beyond her kingdom — an adventure that soon turns into a journey of self-discovery.
CLICK TO SHOP ADDIE’S PERSONAL FROZEN 2 PICKS
I’ll admit, my absolute favorite character in this is yet again, Olaf. The best part of the movie is when he reenacts the synopsis of the original Frozen. It’s a scene that can’t be beat and is hilarious. Addie got to meet Olaf, too, while at Disney World. She was so curious as to why he was so big and why he had such a big nose!
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Fast forward several months, and Frozen 2 is now available on Disney+, Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital Download early. Our family has been so excited! We wanted to share our love of Frozen 2 with all of you, and what better way than Frozen 2 activity sheets?! We hope you’ll enjoy them and share them with your children so they can have some Disney magic in your home too!
Here’s where you can find Disney’s Frozen 2 on Digital today:
1| Amazon Prime Video 2| Disney+ 3| Movies Anywhere 4| iTunes Movies
Or grab Frozen 2 on DVD today:
1| Amazon 2| Target
Ready for the fun activities? All you need to do is download and print all 10 of your Disney Frozen Activity Sheets after you download Frozen 2 on Digital or click the photos below!
Looking for more Disney fun? Don’t miss my other fun Disney content or other Disney activity printables like from Onward!
