A kiddie pool filter pump goes a long way toward keeping the pool water cleaner longer this summer. Here’s everything you need to know about filter pumps for small pools.
If the kiddie pool gets neglected and turns into a fetid mosquito breeding ground this summer, don’t despair — you have options! Shocking the pool water is a simple task, and it’ll turn that green water clear in a matter of hours.
It’s safe and easy to use chlorine and other pool chemicals to keep a larger kiddie pool water clean, even in an inflatable pool. Here’s what you’ll need — and how to do it right.
Bugs are cool, and a backyard bug hunt is a great way to teach the kids to appreciate creepy crawly things and introduce them to the wild, wacky, and wonderful world of bugs. Read on to learn where to find common bugs in the backyard and how to catch and observe them — along with cool tools, kid-friendly resources, and ideas for bug hunting activities.
Love a good water balloon fight, but hate the aftermath? Reusable water balloons are just as much fun as the traditional latex variety, but you don’t have to pick up the tiny remnants of burst balloons once the games are over. Here’s everything you need to know about reusable water balloons, along with my top picks and a DIY for making your own.
Heavy, wooden backyard playsets aren’t right for every budget, every back yard, or every kid’s play style. Here are 11 alternatives to the typical wooden behemoth—and they’re all under $300.
Easter’s almost here — here are some fun ideas for a backyard Easter egg hunt. Get the 411 on choosing the right number of eggs, tips on age-appropriate egg-hiding, and a bunch of delightful spins on the traditional Easter egg hunt!
Dog poo is rife with nasty microbes that can make your whippersnappers sick. Keeping the yard clear of dog poop is a constant, thankless job, but here are some ways to make picking up and disposing of dog poop easier and more eco-friendly.
Keeping the kiddie pool water clean takes a special kind of dedication. Here’s what you can do to keep the water sparkling clear all summer long.
Running through the sprinklers is a childhood rite of passage. Front-load your kids with nostalgia for the “good old days” with these amazeballs sprinklers for kids of every age—from babes in arms to old people like us.
The backyard playground promotes physical activity and social skills, and it keeps the kids out of your hair while you scrub the toilets. The most important safety consideration for your playground is the cushioning that will protect your kids from head injuries due to falls. Here, we rank and review the top five flooring materials for backyard playgrounds.
Exposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays in childhood increases the risk of skin cancer later on. Here’s what you need to know to protect your child from the sun.
Nothing will keep your kid busy like a big bowl of water balloons. Here are 10 fun water balloon activities that’ll keep ‘em at it all afternoon.
Next time your kid complains of boredom, break out the hot glue gun and gather some sticks. We did, and it was a hit. Bored no more!
When the kids are itchin' to play in the snow, make sure the time they spend out back makes the bundling up worth it. Painting the snow is a fun activity to keep 'em too busy to notice that it's cold outside.
Building a backyard ice skating rink isn't rocket science, and it won't damage your lawn. Here's how to build your own very simple—or very elaborate—outdoor ice skating rink in your back yard.
Kids adore bats, because bats are awesome. They can benefit the back yard in important ways, including reducing your mosquito population. Here are the benefits of bats in the back yard and how to entice them in with a modern bat house.
Mosquito repellents are your best defense against mosquito-transmitted illnesses. But not all repellents are created equal. Herein, I break it all down so that you can make the right choices for your family.
Protecting your kids from mosquito bites is important when sending them into the back yard to play. Here's why, along with what you can do to reduce the mosquito population in your back yard.
Nothing gets your kids outside—and keeps 'em there—like a backyard fort. Here are four DIY forts your kids can make today and three top-rated fort-building kits you can buy.
Where Play Meets Possibility
There was a time when childhood meant scraped knees, sun-warmed grass, and the thrill of a sprinkler arc catching the afternoon light just right. The Backyard Kid is here to bring that magic back—one DIY fort, firefly chase, and impromptu adventure at a time.
This is where curiosity thrives and creativity runs wild. Whether it’s transforming a quiet backyard into a pirate’s cove, a science lab, or an art studio under the sky, we offer the inspiration (and the know-how) to make it happen. Think hands-on projects, clever outdoor activities, and smart safety tips, all designed to get kids off screens and into the fresh air.
The best playground? It’s right outside your door. Let’s make it extra fun.
Splash pads are a great summertime alternative to sprinklers and kiddie pools, especially for babies and toddlers! These top-rated splash pads will keep the little kids cool and having fun all summer long.