Social Distancing At Home? Ways to make it fun right in your own backyard!

Unfortunately, the Coronavirus quarantine has residents of the valley cooped up at home during some of the most perfect weather of the year. Spring is the best time to be outdoor, enjoying nature, getting some exercise, and enjoying time with family and friends. But the good news is that you can still enjoy the great outdoors. You are just limited to what is in your backyard. And hopefully, it is full of UNIQUE features that will make the next few weeks as pleasant as possible for you and your family. If you are having trouble thinking of ways to make the most of this mandatory staycation, here is a short list of ways to pass the days and fill them with fun for the entire family.

Go “Out” For Dinner And A Movie

The weather is perfect for a BBQ or any other type of cookout that you and your family enjoy. So take the entire family outside and get everyone involved in the prep and cooking of dinner. Even a meal as simple as burgers and hot dogs tastes better when you are cooking them outside. And if this is your first cookout of the year, be sure to head out in the afternoon and clean off the grill and patio furniture so that your first BBQ of 2020 is nothing but fun.

And for your evening entertainment, take your movie outside as well. It’s not quite the same as going to a drive-in movie, but it can be just as much fun. All you need is an ample space to hang a white sheet or an outdoor movie screen and a small projector or projector capable smartphone. Check out Amazon for outdoor movie projector and screen packages that start at under $100! And don’t forget to order popcorn to go with your movie.

For a long-term solution to taking the party outdoors, call 480-969-1911 to schedule an appointment with a UNIQUE outdoor living space design specialist. As a full-service landscape and pool company, we build ramadas, pergolas, and other shade structures to create the perfect outdoor living and entertaining space. Some of our most popular features include big-screen TVs, outdoor sound systems, and of course, refreshments from the outdoor kitchen. And all of your outdoor electronics and media can be integrated into your current home automation system for simple one-touch function.

Fun At The Fire Pit Or Fireplace

While the evenings are still cool, take advantage of your time at home to enjoy your fire pit or fireplace. Not only is this a great place to gather and chat, but you can also add to the fun with special snacks. Everyone loves making s’mores or popcorn over an open fire. This is also a great way to get everyone away from electronics and the news. Take some time to remind kids that you are doing everything that you can to keep the entire family safe. And by following the added safety precautions, the quarantine time will pass as quickly as possible. You might even encourage a conversation about what you have learned from this event, what your kids have learned, and what valuable lessons we should all take away from this unique experience.

Pass Along Fun From Your Childhood

Kids always roll their eyes when you start any conversation with, “when I was your age, we didn’t have all of these fancy electronic gadgets to entertain us.” But that attitude will quickly disappear when you show them how you used to have fun as a kid. Backyard games of Marco Polo, hide and seek, kick the can, and tag were what made summers great. And your kids might be surprised to learn that they can have fun outside and without electronics in their hands. And when you need a break from helping your kids with their online classwork, take a few minutes to put together a treasure hunt. This is an excellent opportunity for kids to practice working together, problem-solving, and enjoying some time outside.

Parents Need To Relax Too

While this temporary lifestyle change can be disrupting, it should not be all bad. Parents are very focused on keeping kids entertained, calm, and happy. But moms and dads need to remember to take some time for adult rest and relaxation. With this new normal, don’t feel guilty about going out and sliding into the spa at two in the afternoon on a weekday. Or any other time for that matter. Everything about our new way of life, social distancing, and the collapse of a normal daily routine is stressful. So be sure to give yourself some time to relax, de-stress, and do something that you enjoy each day. Take a book and enjoy 30 minutes of peace, solitude, and warm bubbles in your spa or hot tub.

No one in the world is immune to the reach of this global pandemic. But there are many ways that you and your family can work together to make the most of the time that you are confined to your home and outdoor living space. And as you play, bond, and relax outdoors as a family, you can reflect on your outdoor space and what you might like to add, update, or upgrade. Then click here to request a phone call from one of the members of the UNIQUE design team who can help you make those changes to your outdoor living space. During the current restrictions, we are offering services such as virtual meetings and presentations, shared screen meetings rather than in-person, and phone and video chats to protect our client’s health and the health of our team.