Have a garden? Show it off! Share your pics here.

DIY Summer Camp - More Staycation Ideas

row of kites flying in the blue sky


By Debra McDuffee

I recently wrote a post with some ideas for planning every family staycation. As I was browsing the Internet today, I found that lots of other people have great ideas, too, but that the most unique ones came from Better Homes and Gardens.

BHG put together a gallery of their 25 best staycation ideas. Some of their more unique activities include:

  • turning your home into a spa -- Make some spa-quality products at home and let the pampering begin: for your face, your hands and body, and your feet.
  • going on a family bike ride
  • flying a kite
  • having a field day for the kids -- Or, create your own summer camp.
  • organizing a block party -- You coulc choose to do this in a Mexican or Hawaiian theme, some of BHG's other party ideas.
Whatever you decide to do on your staycation, it seems that the common themes are relaxing and enjoying the people in your life. What's your favorite staycation activity?

DIY Summer Camp - Make Your Own Water Slide

girl sliding down slide into pool

By Debra McDuffee

When I was a kid, many of my friends had slides going right into their pools. Cool. Not quite as cool as a water park, but it did the trick. Can you replicate the water park experience at home?

Homemade water slides are great fun... big fun... huge fun... if they're done right. I should probably write a Don't-it-yourself post on the contraption I have rigged in my backyard right now: a Little Tikes climber with the slide going right into my son's kiddie pool. Yes, it is wobbly and completely unsafe. Don't try this one at home, folks.

Instead, try making this water slide (reminds me of the old Slip 'N Slide from my childhood) from a piece of 4-ply plastic and a sprinkler. Stake it down every 4-5 feet so the plastic is stable, and send the kids whooshing. Rather than just hitting a patch of lawn at the bottom, you could always set up a trap to make a small "watering hole."

Grill Cleaning 101

Steaks on a clean grill

By Kelly Smith

So, the Fourth of July is upon us. That means fireworks, beer, grilling, beer, and oh, did I mention beer? But I digress. Let's talk grill hygiene. What's tackier than a grill with chunks of last week's burgers on it? Cleaning the grill doesn't have to be a big chore.

A picture is worth a thousand words, so a video must be worth, what, a million? The creative folks at Howcast have created a great grill-cleaning how-to video that makes the job a piece of cake. You'll need aluminum foil, a grill scraper, and a bit of patience.

There's also a great tip on making future clean-ups easier -- spraying the grill with non-stick spray while it's still warm. It reminds me of seasoning my cast iron pan. But that's a tip for another blog post!

[Via Howcast.com]

Build Your Own BBQ Pit

Extremely hot flame pit by Flickr's GenkiGenki.

By M.E. Williams

Every summer, I look forward to cooking outdoors. Lots of people have propane grills, which make outdoor cooking fast and convenient, but I use a small charcoal model similar to a Weber Kettle Grill. I don't think I'd move up to a propane grill, partly because the food cooked on it can have a "gassy" off-flavor (also possible with charcoal, if you use too much starter). On the other hand, I'd love to have a backyard large enough for a barbeque pit, like the one I remember my late grandparents having.

The Arizona BBQ Association has assembled a page of links that will show you how to build your own backyard smokers and grills. The projects are of two basic types: those based on masonry and those based on metal barrels, which usually require welding. The BBQ Lodge pit project is probably the simplest, but still, the designer had to cut some concrete blocks to shape.

None of these is exactly an "easy" project, but if you get started now, you'll have something to show off on Labor Day Weekend... and some really great meals for the rest of the season!

DIY Summer Camp - Budget-Friendly Fun!

Two preschool-aged children, a boy and a girl, climb up a red playground slide

By Diane Rixon

Overworked? Need to keep the kids entertained in a major way this summer vacation? If you're a part-time or full-time stay-at-home parent, consider organizing a DIY summer camp. Suggestions on how to rope in involve other moms and dads can be found at the info-packed website Suite101, and also at HomeschoolHacks.

Okay, so to make your own summer camp you'll need manpower: that is, other parents you know and trust.

Second, you'll need a planning session or two. Get together and come up with a schedule of where to meet and when, and dream up some cool-yet-budget-friendly activities for each day.

Continue reading DIY Summer Camp - Budget-Friendly Fun!

DIY Summer Camp - How to Build a Campfire

relaxing at a campfire

By Francesca Clarke

In BC, our camping season is usually kicked off on Victoria Day. Camping grads head out and christen the camp-sites over the May long weekend. The rest of us follow in the coming months, excited to enjoy our natural surroundings.

Building a strong, safe campfire is a crucial part of your successful camping trip. Most of us know the basics of camp fire safety: never leave the fire unattended, never use fuel starters, and never build the fire close to your tent. Where I always struggle is building a strong and lasting fire.

Love the outdoors offers full instructions on building successful campfires. They discuss the three types of kindling, outlining the most effective order in which to add each. Pay particular attention to their tips on safely extinguishing a fire.

Bring on the s'mores!

DIY Summer Camp - Camping in the Wild Backyard

tent set up in a backyard

By Maggie Vink

With skyrocketing gas prices, and the subsequently rising costs of food and what seems like everything else, most people just don't have quite as much room in their budget for vacations as they used to.

It's no surprise that staycation seems to be a major buzzword this year. This summer, my son and I are sticking quite close to home. If you ask my son, his favorite "vacations" of this summer may be the camping trips we've had in our own backyard.

I know it sounds silly, but there's something about setting up the tent and bringing out all the gear that's just thrilling for a kid. Even if the scenery is the same thing you see every day, somehow it looks new through the mesh window of a tent.

With a little creativity, you can make this no-cost activity actually feel like a vacation. Just think of the things you would do if you were camping away from home, then recreate the experience as much as possible. I'll share some ideas after the break.

Continue reading DIY Summer Camp - Camping in the Wild Backyard

Tips for Easy Summer Entertaining



By Tanya Ryno
Warm weather, open air and relaxed spirits create the ideal conditions for easy entertaining this summer. Set the scene by creating an outdoor space that invites celebration, then use these simple tips for throwing a backyard party that is fun for everyone -- including you!
  • Begin by selecting a seat for your guests ... make sure you've got plenty of comfortable places to sit and an ample table. You can place tables together if needed and hide them under a fitting table cloth. The key is to make everyone feel like you were expecting them -- use place cards for large groups! If children are invited, make a separate table for them and use place cards so that they feel just as important.
  • You'll be out in the sun all day so make sure to have some shade ... an umbrella will do and it will be a welcome source of relief for those who want to get away from the summers hot rays.
  • Decorate with festive party ware ... try to create a theme, something that matches your personality. And, over do it ... elegant, eye-catching decorations add a jolt of energy ... remember, it's a party so you'll want it to feel like one!

Continue reading Tips for Easy Summer Entertaining

Next Page >

DIY Lists

About DIY Life

Do Life! DIY Life highlights the best in "do-it-yourself" projects.

Here you'll find all types of projects, from hobbies and crafts to home improvement and tech.


Powered by Blogsmith

DIY Life Contributors

#ContributorPostsCmts
1DIY Life Staff540
2Diane Rixon41
3Bethany Sanders31
4Kristi Anderson20
5Chris Jordan10

Featured Galleries

An easy way to insulate and skirt an elevated structure
USB analog gauge overview
USB analog gauge circuit
Basil harvesting
Bug snacks
Fabric scraps projects