Fun in the backyard sun

I found these suggestions in a magazine and they are too good not to share, because it’s a list of ideas about having fun in your own back yard - perfect for a germaphobe premmie parent trying to avoid crowds! Especially good if you still need to entertain a toddler at the same time.

Hanging around
Tie a balloon by a string from the washing line and hit it with the tube from a cling wrap box.  No toddler?  Babies will still love watching colourful washing or ribbons blowing in the breeze or listening to wind chimes.

Messy but delicious
Melt some chocolate and take turns dipping pieces of fruit.  If it’s just you and the baby, looks like you get to eat all of it.

Nature lovers
Make a list of things to see or collect - a leaf, a flower, a feather, a spiderweb - then go for a walk to find it all.  If you don’t have a budding collector, put your prem in a baby carrier or cover the pram and go for a walk around the block to admire your neighbours’ gardens.

Bubbles
Toddlers will love to chase and pop bubbles (or catch them on another bubble wand); babies will just love to watch them drifting around.

BYO Teddy Bear
Spread a blanket, take out something nice to eat and drink, and enjoy a mini-picnic at home or in a nearby park.  Breastfeed or have some tummy time in the shade, if your baby is happy to do so.

Wet wet wet
Have fun with spray bottles of water (spray feet rather than faces), or put some bath toys in a water table or bucket of water (and supervise very closely).