Disc golf:
Disc golf courses are scenic and fun to simply walk. They're nice for hot days, because they're mostly shaded. Many kids with a broken arm can still play the game, too. Getting started is fairly inexpensive. You can buy a starter kit and bag, or simply grab a plastic disc from home and play recreational disc golf. Search disc golf courses in your area for new places to explore and a fun new activity. Find local disc golf businesses and see if they hold any putting clinics. You can also dye your own discs for fun. For dyes, stencils and directions, visit customdiscgolfdyes.com.
Outdoor games:
There are many backyard games that are a lot of fun and don't require the use of both arms. The wonderful thing is, some of them can be made at home. Games such as washers, lawn darts and ladderball can help pass the hours. Create a backyard carnival with games, party foods and balloons. Construct a ring-toss game out of a case of glass soda pop bottles and plastic rings, set up a beanbag toss or do face painting; you can even use two-liter bottles or plastic powdered creamer containers and a ball to make a homemade bowling game.
Nature center:
Head to your local nature center for a hike. Many nature centers have self-guided indoor exploration areas. Create a scavenger hunt for playing out on the trails. Look for items in nature such as pinecones, wildflowers, stones, feathers, etc. You can be more creative than simply creating a list on paper and giving your kids a bag. For at home or at the park, write the alphabet out on pavement, then have the kids look for items that begin with each letter and place the item on the corresponding letter. For tougher letters such as X and Z, have kids draw a picture with chalk. Or use an egg carton as a collection container, color-code it with paint or construction paper and have kids gather items according to color. For an example, visit elsiemarley.com/summer-journal-scavenger-hunt.html.
If your local nature center doesn't have exploration backpacks, create your own. Include items such as binoculars, bug collection jars, magnifying glasses, nets, paper and crayons for drawing or making bark rubbings. The dollar stores have many of these items, and they often carry cute over-the-shoulder canteens. Catch and release frogs from a pond, or identify animals and plants. Nature centers offer many indoor and outdoor summer workshops for kids, too. Bring a camera and let your child take his or her own photos.
Movies:
Whether it's at home, at a theater or a drive-in, enjoy a summer movie complete with popcorn and boxed candy. If indoors, set up indoor camping with a tent, indoor fort or just pillows and blankets on the floor. To see if there's a drive-in near you, visit drive-ins.com. If there isn't one near you, look for any local establishment that might hold outdoor movie nights with movies projected on a wall or on an inflatable screen.
Sundae party:
Gather up a variety of sundae fixings and set up a grand sundae bar. You can make it simple or go all out with toppings. There are so many ways to make this outrageously fun with a variety of cones, ice cream, fruits, syrups, etc. Sundae glasses can be found dirt-cheap at the thrift store. Or check out this awesome sundae trough made from a section of gutters: chicaandjo.com/2011/07/22/ice-cream-party.
Biking:
Clearly a child shouldn't be biking on his own with a broken arm, but families can see if there are surreys or pedicabs available to rent at their local bike shop. Take a tour around your area.
Library time:
Check out all of the fun summer activities at your local library. Many offer story hours, movie days, magic shows and make-and-take craft days.
photo by functoruser http://www.flickr.com/photos/functoruser/2527507426/sizes/z/in/photostream/
