Backyard Toys

Practice more and increase your accuracy with your very own airsoft target. You can build your own targets with just a few simple items and a little bit of work. You will become better at airsoft...

Build your own airsoft fort to create a more realistic airsoft battle experience. A fort gives you shelter from enemy fire and can can be used as a headquarters. Airsoft forts are simple,...

Water rocketry uses the principal of compressed air to push water from a 2-liter soda bottle. Launching water rockets always draws a crowd and has become a popular outdoor activity at family...

Playing in the sand is both fun and beneficial for children and adults alike. The tactile input from sand is relaxing, and the opportunity to create a miniature world can sometimes prompt a shy or...

Bounce houses are prime sources of entertainment for children of any age. Kids enjoy them at birthday parties, carnivals, street fairs and many other social events. However, the houses sometimes...

When summertime rolls around and you're looking for something to keep your children occupied outside, a playhouse is just what you need. By following a few steps and arming yourself with the...

Blowing bubbles has been a favorite pastime of children for years. With its simple charm, bubble blowing can provide hours of entertainment for the entire family. Next time you find yourself...

Trampolines are enjoyable way for children and adults to play outdoors and get exercise. Safety is of paramount importance, however, and the trampoline pads are crucial to providing protection...

There are pros and cons of wooden playground equipment versus metal playground equipment versus plastic playground equipment. They all have their advantages and disadvantages. Knowing what to...

There are many causes for a squeaking outdoor swing such as rust, extended use and debris. Despite this, however, a clear method exists for removing the all-too-annoying squeaking that will...

This is a very simple way to entertain your kids for hours. It's a real simple sword made out of pvc. My 4 year old thinks that it's just amazing. The great thing is that cutting the pieces that...

With only a few skills, you can build your own residential playground equipment, whether it is a basic swing set or an entire play structure. Most projects could take longer than a day, depending...

Installing a swing set to your back yard is a great way to add a fun to your home's environment. A crucial part of installing a swing set is anchoring it to the ground. Neglecting to anchor your...

Though you may have your own store-bought toy boat, sometimes those just aren't as fun as making your own. Making a toy boat with your child is a great activity, and she will have a blast playing...

Every kid wants a tree house deep down inside, but many adults don't want to build one because of the fall factor. There is a way to build a child proof tree house that can at lease minimize your...

Two or three adults can put an enclosure around a trampoline in as little as two hours. The enclosure is made for safety, not for climbing or bouncing against, so don't buy it for any other...

During the hot summer months, kids love to splash. One inexpensive way to give them that opportunity is with an inflatable pool. You can store the pools in your attic or cellar when summer's over,...

An enclosure around your trampoline can add an extra element of safety to your backyard toy. The enclosure is made for safety, not for climbing or bouncing against, so don't buy it for any other...

Double dutch jump rope has been around for thousands of years, with the ancient Egyptians and Chinese playing a form of the sport as they worked at rope weaving. Dutch settlers brought the game to...

If you've noticed a rusty or stretched out spring on your trampoline, you'll want to replace it to ensure the proper tension, safety and bounce. In order to properly fit the trampoline, it's...

In an age when the focus of childhood play has shifted indoors and increasingly revolves around video games, it is important to remember that something as simple as a tree swing still can provide...

Scooters are wonderful backyard toys that have been enjoyed by children of all ages for generations. Understanding scooter safety and approaching the skill slowly can help to ensure that a good...

If you have a sandbox but don't want to deal with the mess or hassle that comes with sand, there are alternatives that can fill your sandbox and still entertain your child for hours. Many of these...

Designing a child's playhouse can be exciting for adults and children. Work together with the child to design the playhouse. Let the child help select the colors and configuration of the...

Choosing an inflatable water slide can make a birthday party or backyard celebration a smash hit with partygoers--young and not so young. With a little planning and attention to who will be...

With the number and variety of swing sets on the market today, it makes sense to do your homework before you make a purchase. An informed consumer will consider several swing set features...

A marshmallow gun is fun and easy to make. With a few PVC pipes and some marshmallows, your kids will be entertained for hours. Marshmallow shooters provide great entertainment during kids'...

The swing set has become an icon of the American backyard. You can spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on these structures that now include forts, slides, seesaw, gliders and more. For some,...

You can easily make your own bow and arrow. All you need are some qualified sticks, a strong cord and a few tools. Gather your supplies from nature and the hardware store and you'll be ready for...

Creating a backyard playground can provide hours of exercise, enjoyment and memories for your children. Designing and building your own playground equipment can keep your costs reasonable and...

Nothing will give you a lead in a water balloon fight quite like a water balloon launcher. These incredibly easy-to-make gadgets can be as much as $50 online, but chances are you have all of the...

The hula hoop is a large plastic ring with a rigid construction that is twirled around the waist or other parts of the body as a form of exercise or play. Hula hoops became a worldwide fad when...

A backyard sandbox is not just a place for play; it is a place where princesses, cowboys and herds of wild horses reign. Construction projects that amaze the world begin in sandpits filled with...

Toddlers are full of energy and always ready to play. There are some pieces of equipment that will give them joy as they use their imagination in play. Here are ideas for furnishing the toddler...

Planning and building a backyard playground is an extremely fun and rewarding project. It lets the kids' imaginations go wild and will bring out your inner-child in the process. Planning and...

The BB gun has been a staple of boyhood for decades. Owning a BB gun is an important part of growing up for a young boy and now creating a simple, homemade BB gun is easier than ever with items...

Making a tire swing can be a fun project for the family, provide a fun toy for your children and their friends, as well as a good way to recycle an old tire that is no longer suited for the road.

Whether you’re 5 or 50, blowing bubbles is just plain fun! You don’t need to purchase ready-made bubble solution, though, to enjoy making beautiful bubbles – with just two ingredients, plus water,...

So you bought a fixer upper. Okay an old boat that has been sitting in someones yard for ages and the trailer is all rusty and ugly, and you had this dream of the way that boat could possibly look...

In this economy there are things we all try to do without to save some money now bubbles don't have to be one of them. In this article you will learn how to make bubbles the cheap way and the...

I use this idea to blow up kiddy pools, rafts, and other inflatable toys, fast easy and safe and at home. All you need is a shop vac, a turkey baster and possible a roll of tape.

Building an outdoor obstacle course doesn't require you to be a master craftsman or cost a lot of money. If you have a reasonable amount of space in your backyard you can construct your own...

The interest in homemade play sets has grown as parents begin to shy away from potentially toxic ingredients in commercially available toys. Most homemade play sets are easy to construct. Play...

Jumping rope is an activity performed around the world. It is more than a game to some and has grown into an international competitive sport. Learning how to jump rope does not require an advanced...

Want a fun and inexpensive project to do with your kids (or for yourself if you're still a child at heart)? Making a marshmallow shooter is easy. Materials generally cost less than $5. The main...

Looking for a great activity for the kids? Feeling cooped up, out of ideas? Are you tired of them using all your copy paper for paper airplanes? Make a fleet of airplace shooters out of your...

Remember the Skip-it? Or maybe you remember it being called a skipperoo...I had a lemon-twist as a kid. A giant lemon on a plastic rope with a loop to attached to your ankle...the fun was...

Tire swing, tire swing, tire swing! Tire swings are an easy, fast and affordable project that the kids and adults will enjoy for years to come. There are several types of tire swings, this tire...

Hula hooping is an inexpensive way to tone up, burn calories and relieve stress. No longer reserved for young children, hula hooping has become a popular method of exercise and recreation for adults.

Summer is winding down and before you put up all the summer toys, here are some ideas to extend the life of that plastic wading pool.