Backyard games for acrobatic husband
May 5, 2020 3:37 AM   Subscribe

I’m looking for recommendations for backyard games or equipment I can buy for my husband, who enjoys physical challenges. Slack line is a great example. He also has paralettes that he likes to use for practicing handstands. What are some other solo or 2-player backyard toys I can get for his birthday? Bonus if we can bring it indoors during winter. Thanks!
posted by Jason and Laszlo to Health & Fitness (21 answers total) 2 users marked this as a favorite
 
Stilts. I enjoyed using the wooden ones at historical museums.
posted by Botanizer at 4:32 AM on May 5, 2020 [1 favorite]


Rola bola
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 5:14 AM on May 5, 2020


Add juggling to the slackline.
posted by like_neon at 5:18 AM on May 5, 2020 [1 favorite]


Perhaps a unicycle? In previous times I used to see someone riding one on a bike path along the Delaware River and it always made me smile.
posted by Otter_Handler at 6:31 AM on May 5, 2020 [1 favorite]


A trampoline? My 12yo is into Instagram and youtube "flipper" culture, and Acon (his top choice) and Skywalker (his second choice) are popular brands. They have a stronger bounce than recreational backyard trampolines, for advanced tricks.

You husband might also like an AirTrak, an inflatable runway sort of thing that gymnasts use to learn skills on before they move to the floor. My son has used them in gymnastics, and has bought a couple to have at home for tumbling.
posted by Orlop at 6:36 AM on May 5, 2020


Juggling-related toys that came to mind are diabolo and devil sticks, but in looking those articles up, I found a whole long list of skill toys, which you might find interesting.

If your backyard is big enough, maybe a stunt kite?
posted by ManyLeggedCreature at 6:39 AM on May 5, 2020


Also, he might look into circus arts, if he is really interested in things like juggling as well as big whole-body stuff. Hand balancing—taking the basic handstand into extraordinary places—is a thing, as is foot juggling. I have a friend who does circus and it's really wonderful. I'm sure there are youtube tutorials and possibly online classes as well. The New England Center for Circus Arts is offering online classes now.
posted by Orlop at 6:43 AM on May 5, 2020


A blowgun is nice fun and can work indoors. Not sure if shooty stuff is physical enough, but if that’s appealing a set of nice sling shots can also be a a lot of two player backyard fun.
posted by SaltySalticid at 7:24 AM on May 5, 2020


Perhaps a unicycle?

My dad bought us kids a unicycle when we were little that we had absolutely zero interest in. So my dad learned to ride a unicycle in his late 40s.

We also had the old fashioned wooden stilts, which were a lot of fun.
Pogo sticks are harder than they look.
posted by phunniemee at 7:39 AM on May 5, 2020 [1 favorite]


You don’t give a budget but if you want to go big, a Cyr wheel or a German wheel.
posted by SaltySalticid at 7:47 AM on May 5, 2020 [2 favorites]


Archery set!
posted by itesser at 9:13 AM on May 5, 2020


Adjustable ploy box for jumping.
posted by kevinbelt at 9:34 AM on May 5, 2020


Gymnastics rings can be fun if you have a place to put them.
posted by Anonymous at 10:25 AM on May 5, 2020


Nting unicycle. "Extreme pogo" is worth a look.
posted by eotvos at 10:29 AM on May 5, 2020


Hand balancing canes! That would take his paralettes practice to the next level.
posted by quiet coyote at 12:43 PM on May 5, 2020


Spinning poi
posted by WeekendJen at 1:16 PM on May 5, 2020


Kangaroo Jumps
posted by oceano at 1:49 PM on May 5, 2020


Kangoo Jumps, or the bigger version: jumping stilts eg Air Trekkers
Maybe a One Wheel
posted by rhamphorhynchus at 5:02 PM on May 5, 2020


If he already likes paralettes, maybe he’d like gymnastic rings? You can hang those (or aerial silks, or a trapeze) on a backyard stand like this one.
posted by tinymegalo at 6:36 PM on May 5, 2020


Seconding jumping stilts or a trampoline. (Jumping is super fun.)
posted by slidell at 4:34 AM on May 6, 2020


Hang-able rock climbing holds. hang them from a tree or maybe somehow in your house. Like from a pull-up bar

https://www.maxclimbing.com/shop/training-equipment/maxgrip/
posted by jander03 at 8:26 PM on May 6, 2020


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