As the dog days of summer arrive, be prepared for some cooling-down activities. That doesn't mean that good wet fun can't be part of everyday life in your own backyard. You will need a hose and a long piece of heavy plastic. Lay it out on a grassy area. If you have a gentle slope, even better.
Kids take a running leap onto the plastic and see how far they can slide.
This is a bit like regular pinata-bashing, but it is much more fun. Fill a 10-gallon trash bag with 2 gallons of water and securely tie off the top of the bag. Tie a long rope tightly under the knot. A teen or adult can throw the other end of the rope over a tree branch and then hold that end, raising and lowering the bag. Each player takes a turn trying to break the bag and cause a shower.