Make Memories in Your Backyard 

I remember spending hours as a child in our Monticello back yard with my family. One spring we built a pen for a new baby lamb and spent months bottle-feeding it. I also remember saving every penny I could get my hands on to buy a croquet set, just to have another reason to head outside. To this day, the back yard is still a major gathering place for us, and possibly for you, as well. With a little planning, you can turn your back yard into a favorite gathering place. So go outside and do something nice, play a game and enjoy a treat. These ideas will draw both adults and children to the fun and familiar surroundings of your back yard. 

Do-Something-Nice Coconut Bird Feeder

All you need is a coconut and heavy-gauge wire. Poke small holes in the top of the coconut and drain out the milk. Cut a hole approximately 2 inches in diameter on the side of the coconut. Pull the wire through the holes in the top of the coconut and hang from a tree. Birds will fly inside and eat the coconut. 

Play-a-Game Beanbag Toss

To make this game, you’ll need heavy fabric (enough for desired number of beanbags), gravel and one power line spool, tree stump or small round table.
Cut 4 1/2-inch squares from heavy fabric (2 squares for each beanbag).
With right sides together, take 1/2-inch seam on three sides of square. Turn right side out.
Fill bag loosely with gravel. Whipstitch or zigzag beanbag closed (tucking raw edges inside of bag while sewing). Decorate tops of spool, stump or table with numbers indicating point values. (It’s harder to throw bags onto the top of spool, so number values on the top should be higher.) Now you’re ready to play. From a distance of 4 or 5 yards, each player tosses his or her bags onto the spool. The one with the highest number of accumulated points wins. Then end the day with a special dessert that will please young and old alike. 

Enjoy-a-Treat Pudding Cones

You’ll need: One 3-ounce package instant pudding mix (any flavor), milk or water, 1 cup whipped topping or whipped cream and 4 to 6 flat-bottomed ice cream cones. Make pudding according to package directions, using 1/4 cup less milk or water than the package calls for. Blend in 1 cup whipped topping or whipped cream.
Serve the pudding in the cones and top with sprinkles or other candies if desired. Serves 4 to 6.