by Pete Mcmullen

Created on: May 08, 2008   Last Updated: May 20, 2008

Some of my fondest memories include spending a day outside with my family just having fun. Surprising to some is the fact that a lot of people aren't really sure how to get outside and exercise while having fun. Well, this is the right article for you since it's your guide to having fun in your very own backyard. Here are four games that will make you work up a sweat all the while having loads of fun.

My first and favorite backyard game is badminton. It's a simple game that doesn't require much skill to play. You just buy some rackets and a net and you're good to go. Not only will you burn calories but you'll also have fun in the process. Even better is the fact that badminton sets go for as cheap as $20.

Another game worth trying is tether ball. It's that one game you always see on television shows but never got off the couch to go outside and try it. Possibly the greatest part of the game is that you only need two people to play. Not to mention that tether balls sell for about $15 nowadays.

Kickball is a game that you may not have played since grade school. Nonetheless, it's extremely easy to play. Just kick the ball and run. You can use a makeshift field in your backyard to form your own kickball diamond. The one and only setback of this game is that you need at least six or eight people to play.

The next backyard game that you'll have fun playing is pickle ball. It's played on the same size playing surface as badminton so you won't have to change much. The only change is the racket. Some would liken it to ping-pong on a bigger court. It can easily be played in your driveway as long as you find a net to use. It's relatively shorter than the net used for badminton.

The final one is a game played by millions and millions of people across the world. It's the national pastime of many a country. The game I am referring to is, of course, soccer. All you need is a ball. Nets are helpful but not completely necessary. If you'd like, just use two cones or trees to mark of the area of a goal. It's a fun game for the entire family!

So there you have it. These four games will keep your family entertained for the summer. A lot, such as tether ball, are games that you don't even have to be a superior athlete to enjoy. Have a fun, active summer!

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