A vacation rental can be so much more than a place to sleep. With so many choices available on rental sites like airbnb and VRBO, to name a few, renters are looking for a unique experience. Adding a fun element to the landscape, like a giant chess set, or Giant Tower can help boost the experience for (and ratings from) guests.
Having an outdoor space is enjoyable, buta big empty grass space can lack character and make people overlook the more beautiful features of the lot. Using a game is a great way to fill up empty spaces and allow visitors to visually appreciate the overall yard.
The rental market is competitive, so having elements on your property that are photo-friendly and Instagram-worthy is a must. That’s why having a statement piece is the perfect way to get your property noticed.
It’s the experience and time spent together that people will remember. When renters are looking for a place next time, giving them memories they can recall definitely works in your favour. It can be a jumbo checkers or croquet set that transforms a so-so experience into surefire repeat rentals.
In the end, however you decide to dress up your rental property, remember one thing – have fun with it!
Giant Games was featured on Season 2, Episode 3 of Scott’s Vacation House Rules. To watch the full episode, visit hgtv.ca.
]]>1. Make their mask a part of the costume
Back in the day, the biggest challenge was getting our costume to fit over our bulky jackets. Now our kids have to contend with masks too. Instead of seeing the mask as an impediment, see it as an opportunity! There are many fun ways kids can integrate a mask into their costumes naturally. The most obvious choice is to dress up as their favourite health care hero (complete with surgical mask), but plenty of great options exist where a mask or face covering can be worn. This cute DIY skeleton costume by Alphamom is a super cool way to have some fun with wearing masks.
2. Get creative with physical distancing
People are finding ingenious ways to stay their distance while keeping Halloween traditions alive. At home, a candy chute is a great alternative to having multiple little hands in a candy bowl.
If you’re accompanying your kids trick or treating, how about using one of those grabbers to collect your candy from afar?
3. Host an outdoor Halloween bash
Invite some friends over for a fun, spooky and safe Halloween party in your backyard. There are tons of great Halloween-themed games to keep them focused on things other than chocolate. This fun and simple Mummy-sack race from Delia Creates is one for the books. Get them to wrap toilet paper or white crepe streamers around their legs and race to the other side without tearing their wrapping.
And if you’re looking for something a little less wasteful (toilet paper is a hot commodity, folks!), Giant Games has some seriously fun outdoor games to keep kids entertained for hours. Anyone want to try a game of Kubb? Otherwise known as Viking chess, it’s a great outdoor game for all ages.
4. Trick-or-treat at home
If you are looking to keep things a little closer to home, you can still give your kids the candy-filled Halloween of their dreams! Instead of going door to door, why not set up a Halloween candy hunt indoors? It’s also a great opportunity to make your own fun Halloween treats! Check out these chocolate spider clusters from The Spruce Eats.
We hope you and your kids enjoy this spooky, sugar-filled holiday, however you choose to celebrate!
DISCLAIMER: We are not medical professionals nor local officials. Please follow local guidelines and speak with your doctor or local health unit for guidance on COVID safety.
]]>The experts at Giant Games have laid out 5 fantastic activities to keep your kids occupied, engaged and happy during your Thanksgiving dinner. Click to check them out!
]]>That’s why we’re here to help. We’ve come up with 5 great ideas to keep your kids entertained while you and your guests gorge on turkey (or let’s be honest, take out).
1. Arts & crafts time
Photo: Hands On As We Grow
We love activities that are fun, easy and creative, and involve little to no glitter. This cute make-your-own Thanksgiving ring toss game from Hands On As We Grow is the perfect thing. Once they’re done making their own rings, your kids can get a ton of play out of em (once the glue dries). It’s easy and only requires a few items from around the house.
2. Dessert decorating station
Photo: Food Network
Ah, sugar. One of kids’ biggest motivators. If you want to get your kids to stay at the dinner table for more than 10 minutes, you can set up a small dessert station at the end of the table. One option from Food Network has kids making adorable hand-shaped turkey cookies. You can bake simple sugar cookies in advance using a hand-shaped cookie cutter (or turkey-shaped if you can find it) and provide the kiddos with the sugar-based “fixins” to decorate their cookies.
Photo: iHeartCraftyThings
For a slightly healthier option, you can use a variation of this equally adorable turkey apple decorating idea from iHeartCraftyThings. All you need is an apple, some toothpicks and healthy gummies or dried fruit.
3. Thanksgiving-themed games
Photo: Bloom Designs Online
For a bit of alone time with the adults, send your little ones on a wild turkey chase. Literally. Bloom Designs created a turkey hunt that the kids can play while you get your much needed adult time. You just have to print it out and set it up in advance either inside the house or in your backyard.
4. Outdoor games
Getting the kids outside when it’s a little cold can take some determination. But sometimes all they need is a bit of structured play. How about setting your backyard up for a super epic game of tag or capture the flag? After one minute of running back and forth, they surely won’t be complaining about the cold.
5. Giant games
Photo: Giant Games
Let’s be honest, this one is our favourite...but there is nothing more exciting to kids than a giant novelty toy. I've seen how my own go wide-eyed over the biggest, most novel toys. But there’s no need for fighting. Just playing! A game of Giant Jenga, Giant Snakes & Ladders or a fun and strategic game of Kubb is sure to keep them entertained (and might even get the adults out there too)!
It is possible to have our turkey-shaped cake and eat it too. Having a great family-friendly Thanksgiving just takes a bit of preparation. However you choose to celebrate, we want to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving, from our family to yours.
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