1. Backyard Olympics: Set up various competitions right in the backyard. Try events like such as a sack race or three-legged race; set up an obstacle course with lawn chairs and other objects to climb over or under; bike race around the block or long jumping in the sand box. And no competition would be complete without a winning ceremony. Create medals or other prizes for the winners.

2. Outdoor Movie Night: On cool summer nights — the best time to be outside — set up blankets and pillows, pop some popcorn, and settle in for a movie in the backyard. Hang a white sheet from a clothesline or on the side of your house and project your favorite flick. If you don’t have a projector, you can rent one from various local electronic stores or online.

3. Garage Sale: If you need to have a yard sale, involve the kids. Have them go through their room and collect items to include in the sale. Assign each child a different colored sticker, and let them keep a portion or all of the money earned by their items at the end of the day. Be sure to involve them in manning the sale, too.

4. Go camping in the backyard: Sometimes the backyard is enough of a change of scenery. Set up the tent, throw down some sleeping bags and spend the evening telling ghost stories and eating s’mores — roast marshmallows under the broiler or in a toaster oven. Be sure to turn off the automatic sprinklers if you have them or you’ll be in for a surprise.

5. Pet Parade: Get the neighbors together for a showcase of all the pets. Have kids dress up their pet, or decorate the cage for small animals. Mark out a parade route and let the kids put on the parade for the parents.