Get the Kids Playing Outside—And Have Them Enter This Backyard Game Contest!

Credit: peapodsquadmom

I know school’s out (or almost out) but tell your kids to put their thinking caps back on. Don’t worry—it’s not history or math related. CLIF Kid, the maker of organic snacks for kids, is holding a Backyard Game of the Year Contest. Remember when you used to make up games in the backyard with neighborhood kids? Now your kids can do it with a chance to win a $10,000 scholarship. Talk about high stakes!

Not only is the company giving away that awesome prize, but it’s truly encouraging kiddos to get outside, use their imaginations and have fun. Plus, the winning game will be reproduced and donated to the Children & Nature Network, a non-profit organization working to reconnect kids with nature.

Backyard-game ideas must be submitted by June 30, and a panel will select five finalists, who will be flown with a parent to New York City to compete in the CLIF Kid Backyard Game of the Year Playoffs in late August. On top of the trip to the Big Apple, the finalists also get great prizes.

So if you’ve seen your kids come up with inventive games in the backyard, get cracking! Contest entries must allow at least two kids to play together and can utilize common household items such as balls, hula hoops, beanbags and, most importantly, kids’ imagination for hours of fun.  —Erin