Some people look forward to their yard work; others see it as a chore. If you’re more like the latter, maybe we can change your mind! What if we told you that you could swap out some gym time for time in the yard? Multi-task by burning calories doing yard work that is probably on your to-do list, anyway. Calories Burned Doing Yard Work Below are some common yard tasks…


For safe mowing, follow these tips! Before You Mow Read and understand your operator’s manual before operating the mower. For gasoline units, add fuel to the tank outdoors before starting the machine. Do not add gasoline to a running or hot engine and never leave the machine running in an enclosed area. As with other power tools and equipment, do not operate a lawn mower when consuming alcohol. Wear appropriate…

Kubb, also known as Viking chess, is a fun and versatile outdoor game for the whole family to play year-round. The team game can be played with as few as two players, up to as many as twelve players, and can be played on grass, sand, or even snow – making it a great game for any gathering! How to Set the Field The game, according to the U.S. National…

Like all lawn mowers, zero turn mowers require care to prevent accidents when mowing around water, drop-offs, steep inclines, and wet conditions. Prepare for the mowing season by remembering these helpful safety tips: Before Mowing Read and understand the operator’s manual before operation. The manual provides important maintenance and safety information. Make certain safety devices are working properly, and never bypass or remove any safety equipment. While Mowing Do not operate…

To encourage high beneficial insect populations design your garden to incorporate a variety of flowering plants rich in nectar and pollen. Choose cultivars with easily accessible pollen found in plants with a single layer of petals or a tubular flower form. Common herbs, wildflowers, and scented plants are all attractive to beneficial insects. Do not clear out dead foliage in the fall, this is an important habitat for beneficial over…

Kickball—originally called “Kick Baseball”—is a game similar to baseball, invented in 1917, Nicholas C. Seuss, Supervisor of Cincinnati Park Playgrounds. The game is played like baseball/softball, with the exception that the ball is kicked rather than hit. The pitcher rolls the ball towards the catcher, the “batter” kicks it with his foot, then runs to first base, becoming a runner. There is no “official” set of Kickball Rules as all…

Ring toss is a fun summer recreational activity. It is simple to play and can provide a family with hours of fun. The Basics: Toss the ring onto the peg—sounds easy, but it is not. Each player is given 5 plastic rings to use during gameplay. The player may toss or flip the rings one at a time onto the pegs. A ring that lands completely around a peg, scores…

It is estimated games with Horseshoes started as early as the 2nd century. Modern Horseshoes is an outdoor game played between two people (or two teams of two people) using four horseshoes and two throwing targets (stakes). Players take turns tossing horseshoes at stakes in the ground, which are traditionally placed 40-feet apart. Modern games use a more stylized U-shaped bar, about twice the size of an actual horseshoe. In…

T-Ball, or Teeball, is a sport based on baseball and is intended as an introduction for children to develop baseball skills and have fun. The origins of T-ball are not certain, but it is believed to date back to the 1940s or 50s. In T-Ball, the pitcher is usually used for defensive purposes only. The ball is placed on an adjustable tee atop the home plate at a suitable height…