Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

What does an 11-13 year old play with in the garden?

72 replies

InsufficientMum · 17/02/2023 11:46

DS is not interested at all in football.

He is not the most sensible of children and will do nonsensical things to make other (younger) children laugh. Because they are younger, they all go along with it and no one will tell him to stop. I've said he's not allowed out to play this week unless he has a 'plan' of what they're going to play.

I've suggested spike ball, frisbee or bowls, all of which he turned down. The younger kids won't play basketball.

OP posts:
BogRollBOGOF · 17/02/2023 11:51

Nerf wars. That's about it.

CinderellaFant · 17/02/2023 11:55

DS 12, coming 13. Not sporty at all but he enjoyed his basketball net or the trampoline.

Frangipanitime · 17/02/2023 11:58

In my experience this age doesn’t really play in the garden, if he’s out there playing with his siblings, unless it’s something dangerous, I’d be saying thank you if I was you. If not, you get out there and entertain them,

an seriously, telling your kid he’s not allowed in the garden and gas to come yo with a plan to entertain YOUR kids.

you’re having a laugh,

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Families
Lovetotravel123 · 17/02/2023 11:59

We have a cheap but good badminton set from Decathlon.

PandaG · 17/02/2023 12:02

various things my kids and their friends or cousins have done:
Badminton and volleyball using same net.

Roller blading (though on path behind garden not in garden)
nerf gun battles ( maybe not appropriate in your case?)
Swingball.
Plant and tend own bed - herbs and flowers.
Fitness - watch and do exercise video in the garden over zoom with mates (in lockdown)

RuthW · 17/02/2023 12:03

Nothing

Johnnysgirl · 17/02/2023 12:06

Are the younger children his siblings? I don't get the "no one will tell him to stop" thing. Aren't you there?

gamerchick · 17/02/2023 12:06

Not allowed to play unless he has a plan? He's not a drill instructor. Hmm

Get a trampoline, fill some water guns and get them to wash the windows or something.

2reefsin30knots · 17/02/2023 12:08

I'm surprised he will even go in the garden and play with his siblings.

DS12 might go on the trampoline for a bit at a push. If he's out, he wants to be in town with his mates having a coffee or an ice cream then playing Fifa.

However, he does a very time consuming outdoor sport, so I'm not concerned about fresh air.

MoreParis · 17/02/2023 12:08

My kids liked,

Basketball
Skateboards
Tennis
Treehouse
Giant Jenga
The dogs!

Although by 13, more likely to be found lying on garden furniture on their iPad/phone if they were ‘forced’ to go in the garden. 😅

CheeseSquared · 17/02/2023 12:09

Hmm at 11 mine didn't play in the garden. Or much really in general!

CheeseSquared · 17/02/2023 12:10

Although if he does play in the garden - it's even more crazy to say he has to have a plan!? That's not exactly play is it.

Ylvamoon · 17/02/2023 12:12

My DS has a bow & arrow set with target from decathlon- absolutely loves it!

Johnnysgirl · 17/02/2023 12:12

What exactly is he doing to make the younger kids laugh that so bad it needs shutting down? They're playing in a garden, how bad can it be??

wyntersuhn · 17/02/2023 12:17

My boys are out playing cricket and basketball.

ggssgg · 17/02/2023 12:20

RuthW · 17/02/2023 12:03

Nothing

LOL. Love this! And true in this house too!

Original poster
InsufficientMum · 17/02/2023 12:24

Smashing stuff with sticks, pulling branches off trees, throwing stuff around including onto neighbours roof, then not stopping one of the younger ones balancing on the top of a 2m wall reaching across a 1.5m gap with a branch to bash the roof tiles to try to get it down.... not stopping one of the younger one's trespassers on another neighbour's property and smashing a window.

@Frangipanitime they're not my kids. My DD plays basketball or badminton with the other girl or helps her watch her little sister.

Can't get a trampoline or do gardening as it's a communal garden.
He won't skateboard or rollerblade (balance issues)

He might like giant Jenga, good idea.

OP posts:
2reefsin30knots · 17/02/2023 12:30

He sounds at the young end of 11 emotionally/ socially. Maybe he's not ready to be playing out in a communal garden unsupervised? It's not fair to expect him to be keeping younger children safe if he is not ready to do that.

Pattygonia · 17/02/2023 12:34

swingball was fantastic for my two not very sporty teens. Could play with a friend or by self. Lasted right up to GCSEs - was a great thing during breaks in revision

Original poster
InsufficientMum · 17/02/2023 12:39

It's not fair to expect him to be keeping younger children safe if he is not ready to do that.
I have been very clear to their parents about that.

Swingball might work. @Pattygonia Is yours set into the ground or is a water filled umbrella stand enough? What make do you have?

OP posts:
Pattygonia · 17/02/2023 12:43

It’s the standard swingball brand with a water or sand filled base. It stopped working really when ds got to sixth form as he was just too tall and strong for it but it was fine up to then.

CurlewOnTheRocks · 17/02/2023 12:47

Didn't you say he was your DS? Confused

"Get a trampoline, fill some water guns and get them to wash the windows or something."

This made me laugh 😂 bouncing higher and higher to reach the upstairs windows

Original poster
InsufficientMum · 17/02/2023 12:55

@Pattygonia It stopped working really when ds got to sixth form as he was just too tall and strong for it but it was fine up to then.
DS is already 1m70, would you say he's too tall? He's also crazily strong.

Yes, DS is mine. None of the others out with him are mine.

OP posts:
CurlewOnTheRocks · 17/02/2023 12:59

Just tell him to stay away from anyone else's property and punish him appropriately if he breaks the rules. He's not responsible for stopping younger kids climbing etc

Carryonmarion · 17/02/2023 13:00

Totally reccomend laser tag