All this free time on my hands

[AprilNC]

So, we set up our first ever pool last summer, didn't "close" it over winter, and now it is open ... but all of this was supposed to be "so much work" ... and since I read TFP extensively before, during, and after set up I find myself with zero problems, and so little time spent messing with the pool. However, it is a bit chilly to actually be in the pool ... so alas ... I have too much time to be looking at toys and drooling over all of these new pool construction posts! (Dangerous, Dangerous considering our limited budget!!)

So ... tell me what cheap toys (actually I would like some sort of waterproof speaker thing to put in the pool) that you have had ... We have 3 boys (one off at college - which is the major contributor to the limited pool budget) ... and we need stuff for the pool ... the one noodle, skateboard looking thing, and floatie don't seem to be holding their attention!

 

[JasonLion]

Dive toys are fun. They are weighted cloth covered things that you throw into the pool and the kids go retrieve them. For younger kids simply getting them is enough of a challenge. For older kids you can make games out of it, for example we did retrieve on one breath without using your hands, or find them quickly when they are tossed in after you are underwater.

 

[AprilNC]

Ah, I forgot about the diving toys! They were all sold out by the time I was shopping for toys last summer! I've put them on the list!

 

[pwrstrk]

A couple of super soaker's are lots of fun. Basketball hoop. ?

 

[Richard320]

I think it's time to sit down with some PVC, some hoses, and whatever else it might take, and design a water cannon that attaches to the return or to a sump pump.

 

[AprilNC]

I'm pretty sure if I mention "cannon" hubby and boys will immediately get on that one! LOL!

Which reminds me ... I need to look up that PVC water sprinkler/water feature thing I saw here last summer ...

 

[woodyp]

For the older crew............a floating Beer Pong game is a must! Taking a drink could always be substituted with swim a lap or some such for the younguns'.

 

[ComputerGuyInNOLA]

I am with Woody, beer pong for the pool is a must. If your pool is setup for it, volleyball is a great way to stay active in the pool. Super soakers are a blast. Next up is a basketball setup for our pool but I always wondered how do you dribble on water.

 

[AprilNC]

Beer pong sounds like fun! I also saw a floating ping pong table that the boys might enjoy! I think I can make one of the pvc ring toss games too! Thanks for all the suggestions - this will give us a few projects to work on while it is still too cold to swim! ... A solar cover is starting to look better and better!

 

[Willi]

I buy or make one thing for the backyard every year. One year I bought a commercial popcorn machine, the next a commercial cotton candy machine, next was a sno-cone.

A couple years ago I decided to make something for the backyard every year. Since then I have made a giant chalkboard that is attached to the privacy fence. Chalkboard paint you buy at the hardware is not for exterior use so you have to make it. 1 cup of tile grout mixed into a gallon of exterior flat paint rolled onto a sheet of plywood.

This year I am going to make backyard Jenga, something like this

 

[AprilNC]

I think this will be the year we finally put in horse shoe pits ... Love the huge jenga game idea! We have almost 7 acres, so no worries about room to play it!

 

[pwrstrk]

7 acres I vote for some four wheelers !!

 

[AprilNC]

we have one fourwheeler ... and a few go carts ... the go carts don't get much use anymore since the boys are bigger and they are kid-sized ... time to trade them for one more fourwheeler me thinks =) ... we spend lots of time outside ... between planting fruit trees, the garden, toys ... well the pool gets good use after a long day of fun ... we have boats too (one too many LOL) ... but it is so much nicer to walk out my back door and swim rather than trailering the boat to the lake! ... My pool is much cleaner too!

 

[bridgman]

the go carts don't get much use anymore since the boys are bigger and they are kid-sized ... time to trade them for one more fourwheeler me thinks

Probably a good thing they're your boys and not mine -- my first thought was "one go-cart strapped to each foot, with a remote control for the throttles...".

 

[AprilNC]

LOL! ... They've outgrown them more because the motors aren't powerful enough to make them go fast enough!

... I do have a question about the beer pong ... I saw two different types - one that was long and so the cups are set up on each end and one where it came with two triangle shaped floats - are you supposed to bounce the ball and make it land in the cups? I've never tried to bounce a ping pong ball on a float - so could I get the independent triangle ones ... I could possibly disguise this as just a game for the not-of-age folks ...

 

[zea3]

Swatting around a beach ball is alot of fun. My kids are older and enjoy doing that when we are all together. Whoever knocks it out of the pool has to go get it! They like passing the torpedo as well. They also make floating speakers that connect with your phone or mp3 player using bluetooth.