Kranz Co. Life in Bloom

I am VERY pregnant this summer, and it has been HOT. 🥵 With two active boys at home, I’m doing my best to encourage imaginative outdoor play that lets them have fun while I sit in the shade and survive. 😂

Here are some of our favorite low-effort, high-entertainment outdoor activities:

1. ☀️ Chalk Hear me out—it’s simple, inexpensive, and every kid seems to use it differently. Lately, my boys have been dipping chalk in water and “painting” sidewalks, rocks, and anything else they can find. It keeps them entertained way longer than regular coloring.
2. Bubbles (and lots of refill solution!)
3. Whether it’s a bubble mower, bubble gun, or classic bubble wand, bubbles are always a hit. One mom hack I’ve seen: zip-tie the bubble container to a chair or patio post. Kids can dip their wands, but the entire bottle won’t get dumped 30 seconds later.
4. 💦 Water Table + Pump This is hands-down one of the best purchases we’ve made. Set it up in the shade, add a small pump, some boats, animals, or cups, and my 2-year-old can happily play for hours.
5. 🎈 Reusable Water Balloons Not for throwing—at least not at our house. My boys love filling a bucket with water, loading up the balloons, and squirting water onto rocks, flowers, and planters. Bonus: they’re helping water the garden while they play.
6. 🍦 Ice Cream Cart The imaginative play possibilities are endless. My boys love pretending to be ice cream vendors and delivering treats to everyone in the backyard.
7. 🚜 Sandbox This will actually be my 3-year-old’s birthday present this year, but we’ve been using a very budget-friendly version for a while. I grabbed an old shallow tub, filled it with play sand from Home Depot, tossed in a few trucks, and they absolutely love it.

What are your favorite outdoor activities that keep little kids busy while mom sits in the shade? Asking for myself. 😅

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XO – Chloe