I’m excited to be partnering with Meijer this summer to celebrate the summer games. Check out our fun idea and more ideas from other bloggers on the Meijer website! 
Every four years, countries get to show off their best athletes in the Summer Games. The whole world watches as athletes in numerous sports compete in hundreds of events over a few weeks time. People enjoy supporting athletes from their country as they watch the games in person or on television. To make the time even more magical for my kids, I thought it would be fun to host our own ‘summer games’ in our backyard.
To start we took a look at all of the sports that athletes can compete in and picked a handful that we could easily recreate. We had everything we needed for soccer, golf and badminton and headed to Meijer for everything else. We found a great inflatable basketball hoop and pool diving sticks that would work for a relay race so we added basketball and track & field to our summer games list.
Once we had the sports chosen we needed to make two things for our summer games- the torch carried during the opening ceremony and medals for the winners. Both are simple crafts that can be made with items you probably have at home already. Here is what you will need to make each and the directions to make them.
Torch
- Cardboard tube (we used the tube from TP rolls)
- Tissue paper (red and orange)
- Tape
- Aluminum foil
- Scissors
To make the torch
- Tear off a piece of aluminum foil that is slightly larger than your cardboard tube
- Roll the foil around your tube, completely covering it
- Tuck the foil over the edges on each side and into the cardboard tube
- Cut your tissue paper pieces into four equal squares
- Pick four pieces of tissue paper and stack (we used 2 orange pieces and 2 red pieces)
- Grab the pile from the middle by pinching it and pick up
- Twist the middle together
- Put tape on the twisted end and insert into the top part of your tube, taping it inside the tube
- Fluff the tissue paper so it looks like fire
Medals
- Lid from canister (we used lids from canisters of chips)
- Hole punch
- Aluminum foil
- Scissors
- Ribbon
- Punch a hole in the lid
- Tear off a piece of aluminum foil that’s a little bigger than the chip canister lid
- Wrap the foil up around the lid and onto the back
- Poke a hole in the foil where it is in the lid
- Cut ribbon pieces and insert through the hole and tie together at the end
Once we had made our torch and medals we started our summer games. They walked around with the torches to signify the beginning of the games. Then it was time to play. My sports loving boys had so much fun. Their favorite activity was basketball since they got to use our new basketball hoop.
Once the sports were done it was time to pass out medals. Our summer games was the perfect family activity for a warm, summer day. We decided we are going to do this again soon and add a few sports -like gymnastics- to the competition list.
What sports would your family include in your own backyard summer games?
Shesh, I know that I knew the olympics were coming but I totally forgot all about them! Looks like you guys are going to have a fun time :)
Those are great ideas. Kids always get excited about things when they feel like they’re a part of it. The Olympics are a big deal, so it’s great to get the kiddos into it.
What a cute idea! I have a couple kids in this house that would love to do something like that. They’re very interested in the Olympics.
Kids always get more interested when they feel like they’re a part of it. That’s why I love these ideas so much.
I can’t wait to recreate those torches and medals. My son loves to play along with whatever he watches so I know these would be a huge hit.
Now this is an adorable idea. I love how you did the torch, too… super-cute. I think I may have to do this with my kids, too
What a fun way to get the kids involved in not just The Olympics but sports themselves. The boys look like they had a great time.
My boys love sports, especially my oldest! We don’t have a basketball hoop so when I saw this inflatable one I knew they’d love it and have a lot of fun with it :)
What a wonderful idea for the Olympics torch! My nieces would adore all of these ideas.
Oh my goodness! We are huge fans of the Olympics at our house. This is an awesome craft activity to do with our grandchildren. They’ll love it!
Such great ideas. I have to admit that I don’t watch the Olympics much. When my daughter was younger, we watched it all of the time. I wish I would have thought of these great ideas.
That is a great idea for upcycling too! Love the medals. How fun.
Thanks! Originally I was going to make them out of clay but then I bought foil for the torches and got to thinking that I could use it for the medals as well. I was searching my house for circular things that I could cover when I came upon the chip canister lids lol
Those torches are cute! The Olympics are a fun way to get kids interested in sports and being active. My kids like watching and following along with the medal counts.
Thanks! We look forward to counting medals during the games as well.
These are such wonderful ideas! I need to do this with my girls. They’re going to love it!
That is so much fun! I love the torch!
I love that idea. I’m going to have to do this for the daycare activity!
My kids are so excited to watch the Olympics this summer! I love that they are older and have a sense of pride in the USA team.
That is awesome! I love how the summer games bring about such pride in our country!
What a great way to have some fun in the backyard this Summer. I like seeing families getting out and enjoying the nice weather!
My son is the most excited about the Olympics because of soccer! These are great ideas I know my kids would have a blast doing this!
I just learned that soccer was a part of the summer games a few weeks ago. I never knew that but my family loves soccer so I’m sure that’s one we will be watching :)
I have seen some crazy games that the kids love especially with pool noodles. You are a fun mom
My original thought was pool noodle activities but since it is mid-summer the stores didn’t have any pool noodles any more. I’m going to try to get some early next summer though for craft ideas throughout the summer :)
They are absolutely adorable! It looks like loads of fun and a great way to get the kids active.
aww, thanks, Ellen!
I used to put together a neighborhood mock Olympics during the summer. I did exactly this kind of thing! It’s so much fun!
That’s such a fun idea, Liz! Never thought to do it with a group but it would be great with a neighborhood group or even as a scouting activity. Thanks for the idea :)
These are all great ideas to get the kids excited about the Olympics. My daughter loves the Olympics. She has ever since she was a little girl.
That is such a great idea! I love the DIY metals!
That is such a cute Olympic Torch craft! Definitely making one with my daughter! :)
These are such cute ideas for backyard fun!! Love it!!
I’m the least athletic person ever, but I love watching the Olympics. I know the kids and I will have a blast recreating them & using these fun ideas.
lol. Yes, this is great because we can at least pretend we are athletic while playing :)
This is so awesome . Can’t wait to try it.
These are great ways to recreate Summer games in the backyard. I will have to try some of these.
What fun and cute ideas. A great way to celebrate the Olympics with kids.
I like these ideas, especially the DIY medal. My son will be so excited about this.