by Laurel Queen

Created on: May 07, 2008   Last Updated: May 20, 2008

Summer is here, and beautiful days are a dime a dozen. Don't waste that by sitting inside - get out and play! Games in your own backyard are not only fun, but they can get your heart pumping and increase your cardio. Play with your kids or invite some friends over for a fun afternoon of laughter and activity.

It's surprisingly easy to modify your favorite games to fit a small or oddly shaped space. Adore tennis? Make a makeshift net out of a couple long poles and some string and serve that fastball. Mark off areas for goals (they don't have to be exactly across from each other) and play some soccer. Tennis is great for small parties, since after pairs the swinging rackets can get a tad dangerous. Though if tennis is your game and you have dozens of people over, set up a rotation so everyone gets a chance to play while keeping it safe. Soccer can be played with two people or two dozen (home games don't have to follow regulation rules, remember) and the rules are simple enough even for little tykes or first-timers to pick up.

Grab a baseball bat and a ball, mark off four corners, and you got yourself a baseball field. Baseball improves reflexes, hand-eye coordination and stamina. The start and stop motion of baseball can improve your stamina by forcing you to repeatedly raise your heart rate and 'start' your muscles. Pitching can work on those arm muscles, and small spurts of playing catcher can work those leg muscles (it would be best to switch out the catcher fairly often so no one strains their knees excessively).

Go back to your childhood favorites. Play a game of catch. Chasing that ball down can work up a sweat, whether or not you realize it. If you get bored, change up the rules. For starters: only be able to catch it after two bounces, or you can't let it touch the floor. Remember tag? That's another game that can encompass almost any group size.

An adult variation on a childhood favorite, ultimate frisbee combines all the fun of soccer, football and frisbee into one sport. The rules can be varied to suit your particular groups needs (for instance, how much contact is allowed), but any variation ensures a good sweat from running, throwing and jumping.

Used by professional athletes (boxers in particular), jump ropes raise your heart rate almost astronomically, as well as toning and strengthening your calves and legs. Pair up with some friends to make a work out a game. Recite childhood rhymes or make up your own.

Lucky enough to have a pool in your backyard? Play a rousing game of Marco Polo or catch in the water. The added resistance of water (some 8x the resistance of air) works your whole body while putting no strain on your joints or bones.

The sky and your imagination are the only limitations to working out in your own backyard this summer. A surprising amount can happen in even a few yards of space. Try to think outside the box and remember to have fun. Isn't that what summer is all about?

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