The school year is coming to an end and summer vacation will soon begin with COVID restrictions still in place. Northern Virginia Swim League has canceled its summer season and many neighborhood pools have made the decision not to open. All signs that this will be a different kind of summer.
Historically, summer vacation meant playing outside until the street lights came on – the universal sign that it was dinner time. Wouldn’t it be nice to go back to those simpler times of summer fun in your backyard when kids played outside and got lost in yard games?
In an ode to summertime fun in your own backyard, we have put together some suggestions for fun backyard games and activities, barbecue and cool treat ideas to keep you and your entire family entertained and well-fed at home this summer.
FUN IN THE YARD
There are lots of different yard games available to keep the whole family busy.
Slip N Slide – Wham-O came out with this backyard necessity back in 1961 and it has recently made a comeback. It’s a fun way to stay cool in your backyard.
Bocce Ball is a fun yard game that can be played with 2 to 8 players. Also known as Italian lawn bolwing, Bocce call. Bocce can be played on a stretch of level ground—pavement, grass, gravel, hard-packed dirt (DG), a sidewalk, patio, deck, etc. Game can also be played while socially distancing from your opponents.
Croquet is another popular, classic outdoor game, played on a lawn or court in which the players hit balls through a series of wickets, or hoops while trying to outscore their opponents. Can play with 2-6 players.
Badminton – a fun yard game that is a cross between tennis and volleyball.
Backyard pool – this is an obvious suggestion but the more current options for backyard kiddie pools will have even the bigger kids wanting to get in on the fun with this traditional way to cool down.
Backyard Barbecue
Another classic sign of summer is cooking on the grill.
If you have a grill master at home, you may choose to cook your own barbecue. Make sure to do a beginning of the season cleaning of the grill for the best grilling results.
And start the summer right by trying this delicious pulled pork recipe
If you are looking for a break from cooking – Northern Virginia is home to some great barbecue joints. Check out these local venues that all offer curbside pick-up.
Mission Barbecue is a local favorite with several northern Virginia locations offering curbside pickup.
Willards Real Pit BBQ in Chantilly is popular with the locals. You can order barbecue on line and pick up curbside they also deliver within a 5 mile range.
District BBQ is offering curbside or no contact pickup at their locations in Vienna and Bristow.
29 Diner – this local Fairfax diner offers barbecue takeout and gives back to the community in many ways. Recently they opened a free community kitchen to provide food and essentials to at risk families and first responders during the pandemic. They are also offering a free dinner to all 2020 graduates from local FCPS high schools.
Summertime Treats
Nothing says old time summer like the sound of the ice cream truck driving through the neighborhood.
Now, you can arrange for the ice cream truck to come to you. At Scoops2U you can fill out a form on their website and request that they come to your neighborhood. You can also check their Facebook page and track when the ice cream truck will be in your neighborhood. They also offer a Sundae Party Pack delivered to your door with all the fixings for a sundae bar.
The Inside Scoop Creamery will deliver ice cream to your door for a nominal fee. Order on their website. You can also follow where their ice cream truck will be each day on their Instagram page under @tiscreamery.
Classic Drive-In Theater
And when you need a break from all the backyard fun – check out the Family City Drive-In Theater in Stephens City for a classic drive-in experience. Though it may be a bit of a drive, it’s one more way give your kids and yourself an experience that is a throwback to simpler summer nights.
