DIY Tarp Projects for Summer Fun Activities

Mom, I don’t have anything to do! I’m bored!

Our family never has any fun!

May I go over to Joe’s? He has lots of awesome, fun things!

Instead of complaining about summertime doldrums, your family could be working together on do-it-yourself tarp projects for summer fun activities. Because they are versatile and affordable, tarps for outdoor fun are a great tool to use for simple and enjoyable DIY projects.

Tarps are easy to use. They are flexible. They come in all sizes and colors. Tarps are reusable and hardy—perfect for family tarp projects in the backyard. Prices vary, depending on the material—polyethylene, vinyl, canvas, mesh—the weight, and the size needed.

A blue polyethylene tarp can cost less than a $20 bill. Some tarps are waterproof and weather-resistant. Silver tarps reflect the sun, providing excellent UV protection; black tarps block light and promote warmth. Green tarps blend into the environment; camouflage tarps both blend and conceal.

Tarps come in all sizes and colors. Use the following ideas to begin a DIY tarp project for summer fun at your house!

Also Read: Understanding the Colors of Tarps and Their Differences

DIY TARP SLIP-AND-SLIDE SUMMER FUN

You can spend a good amount of money to purchase a slip-and-slide OR you can make one yourself for a reasonable price with this fun and easy DIY tarp slip and slide summer project!

Materials: 

Polyethylene tarp (at least 4 ml), inexpensive shampoo, garden hose with spray nozzle OR a sprinkler OR an old garden hose with holes punctured into it.

Directions:

• Spread the tarp on a small hill OR slope in the yard. If there is no slope, just spread it out on the lawn.

• Hang the garden hose with the nozzle attached to a tree branch or clothesline OR set the sprinkler OR lay the old hole-punctured garden hose at the top of the tarp. Lots of water is essential for this tarp-based summer fun!

• Fasten the nozzle trigger, if using that method, so that the water stays on (push the trigger behind the lock mechanism).

• Drizzle the shampoo over the tarp to make it slippery (might use a bottleful before the afternoon fun is finished!)

• Turn on the water and add kids! They won’t stop until they are hungry!

Suggestions:

• For added strength, fold the tarp in half. Place the folded edge at the top of the area and pound plastic tent pegs through the grommets at the sides to keep the tarp from sliding.

• Keep the slide slippery by adding shampoo occasionally. You might want to invest in tear-free shampoo for even more enjoyment.

Cautions:

• Choose either sand or grass terrain for this activity.

• Do not place the tarp where the landing will be dangerous, such as driveway or cement sidewalk.

• Clear away sticks and stones that might puncture the tarp from below or hurt the “sliders.”

•  Be sure tarp is long enough for the slip-and-slide area. 

• A blue or yellow tarp is good; avoid black tarps which absorb the sun’s heat.

SUN CANOPY FOR SUMMER FUN BACKYARD RELAXATION

Perhaps you have a patio area or an adequate-sized lawn for outdoor family time, neighborhood block party, church activity, or family reunion. However, without shade and a cool space for summer gatherings, the get-togethers are not very comfortable.

Adding a DIY tarp sun canopy allows for true relaxation in the backyard. Of course, you can build a more work-intensive and costly sunshade, but here is an idea for a quick, inexpensive backyard tarp shade solution.

Materials:

1. Canvas tarp sized to cover the desired shade area

2. Four very large plastic planters (2 ft.+ tall by 1 ½ ft.+ base)

3. Four (or more) bags of fast drying concrete

4. Four 4x4x10 cedar posts and four 2x2x10 treated boards

5. Drill and screws

6. 6” bungee cords (number required depends upon the tarp size).

7. Post leveler, if desired

Instructions:

• Drill small holes in the bottom of each planter to allow drainage from rainwater.

• Set the planters at the corners where you want your sun canopy to be placed.

• ONE-AT-A-TIME, place a post inside a planter. Brace the post using two scrap lumber pieces parallel on either side of the post; screw them into the post to hold the post in place. Use a post leveler to make sure the post is level.

• Pour fast-drying concrete into the planter; add water. No need to mix it. Let it sit according to instructions, or better overnight.

• Attach 2x2 boards along the tops of the posts on each side.

• After putting bungee cords in the grommet holes, attach the tarp to the frame to create your sun canopy tarp setup.

• Drill small holes about 3” from the top around each planter for more drainage; add potting soil and desired plants.

• Hang lights, add outdoor furniture and – Voila! – relax under your DIY sun canopy!

Suggestions:

Wear a mask while dumping the dusty concrete into planters.

Put gravel in the planters before adding the concrete in the planters for additional drainage.

For added stability, dig holes for each post.  Put a post in the hole and pour one foot of concrete into the hole. Cut the bottom out of large plastic planters; place planters over posts. When concrete is set, fill planters with soil and flowers.

GROUND COVERS FOR SUMMER FUN OUTDOOR GAMES

Tarps are not just “working” tools. Tarps are also “playing” tools. These outdoor tarp activities and tarp games for kids promote cooperation opportunities, improve communication skills, and encourage problem-solving skills.

A 6x8 polyethylene tarp is listed in the teamwork games below, but other tarps and sizes of tarps could also be used for different summer tarp games. To anchor and secure the tarp, use tent stakes, carabiner hooks, or bungee cords through the grommets.

TARP TOSS – Teamwork Game

Materials:

1. 6x8 polyethylene tarp

2. Soft, medium-sized ball

Instructions:

• Players stand around the sides of the tarp; place the ball in the middle.

• Players work together to toss the ball into the air and catch it again in the tarp. Keep track of how many times in a row the ball is caught successfully.

• For added challenge, toss the ball up, turn the tarp over, and catch the ball — a fun twist for summer backyard tarp games!

HOLE TARP – Teamwork Game

Materials:

1. 6x8 polyethylene tarp

2. Tennis ball

3. Scissors

Instructions:

• Cut several holes of different sizes in tarp.

• Players stand around the tarp. Each one must hold the tarp with both hands, stretching it out to make a “tabletop.”

• Object is to keep the ball from falling through a hole or off the sides. How long can you keep the ball on top?

• For more fun, add a second ball and turn it into a fast-paced tarp teamwork challenge!

TARP-TURN-ABOUT CHALLENGE – Teamwork Game

The only material needed is a 6x8 tarp. The object is for players to stand on top of the tarp, then flip it over to the other side without touching the ground. All players must remain on the tarp! It’s a great outdoor summer tarp challenge that encourages communication and coordination.

HOPSCOTCH

Make a hopscotch game using a tarp. This is an easy tarp game for summer play to pull out for fun on the lawn and then roll up out of the way until next time.

Hopscotch, besides being loads of fun, gives children the benefit of playing outdoors, improves coordination and agility, and might even teach the youngest to count to 10!

Materials:

1. 6x8 poly or vinyl tarp

2. ½ - 1” vinyl tape

3. Bean bag or smooth stone

Instructions: 

• Using the tape, create a pattern of 10 blocks on the tarp. Traditional pattern is Block 1 in the first row, Block 2 in the second row, Blocks 3 and 4 in the third row, Block 5 in the fourth row, Blocks 6 and 7 in the fifth row, Block 8 in the sixth row, and Blocks 9 and 10 at the top in the seventh row.

• Use the vinyl tape to form the number inside each block.

• Player takes a turn tossing the stone (beanbag) into Block 1; then he hops through the pattern by landing with one foot in each individual block and two feet in the double blocks. DO NOT HOP ON THE BLOCK WITH THE STONE. After hopping through the 10 blocks, the player turns around, hops back to block 2, picks up the stone, and hops to the starting point.

•  After all players have a turn, the first player throws the stone to Block 2 and repeats the process until all players have successfully completed all ten blocks.

Rules:

• DO NOT hop on the block where the stone is.

• If a player steps on a line, fails to land the stone in the correct square, or loses his balance, he loses his turn.

• The next player in line then plays. The player who lost his turn then repeats that step on his next turn.

• The person who gets to Block 10 first wins.

Suggestions:

• Let the children design a hopscotch pattern of their own, perhaps a spiral or curved pattern.

• Use different colors of vinyl tape to form the blocks or make the block numbers.

• Make a hopscotch game using a tarp. This is an easy tarp game for summer play to pull out for fun on the lawn and then roll up out of the way until next time.

TARP CORN HOLE TOSS

Materials: 

Polyethylene tarp, ruler or yardstick, permanent marker, spray paint, duct tape, ball or bean bag.

Instructions:

• Draw a 15x15” square in each corner of the tarp. 

• In the center of the tarp, draw a 12x12” square.

• Next draw a 12x12” diagonal square both above and below the middle circle.

• Spray paint colorful borders around the outside of squares for fun.

• When paint is dry, cut out the squares and wrap duct tape along both sides of the inside edges of each hole (to prevent shredding). Be sure to cover the corners well.

• Paint points by each hole: 20 for corner holes, 10 for middle, 50 for diagonals.

• Hang tarp in the appropriate area for ball/bean bag throwing.

Suggestions:

• Set the starting distance from the tarp. Each player has 3 turns to toss the ball, adding up his score when the ball goes through a hole.

• Give each player a turn to throw the ball at each hole, adding up successful scores.

• Choose a time limit—one minute—and see which player gets the highest score.

• Let children make up their own rules and variations. Creativity, math skills, teamwork, and coordination are some benefits of playing tarp corn hole toss — a summer tarp activity favorite.

SUMMER FUN DIY TARP PROJECTS

Tarps are inexpensive summer fun for the entire family! In addition to the slip-and-slide, the sun canopy, and the game ideas above, a tarp can be used to make a playhouse, form a tepee or yurt, build a fort, and cover a swimming pool — perfect for a variety of creative tarp uses for kids.

Use tent stakes (or small tree branches!) to fasten a tarp on the ground for a play area, a tea party, or as ground cover for Twister. Paint a checkerboard on a tarp and play Human Checkers — a great DIY tarp activity for summer parties.

Ready to create your own DIY tarp project for summer fun with your family and friends? Grab a tarp and start building today! Summer fun is inexpensive and easy with outdoor tarp ideas!