If you’re looking for a little family fun in the sun this summer, here are some options for customizing your backyard for fun and games with consideration given to your family’s budget. Check out your choices for setting up games in the grass with some atypical suggestions for outdoor family and group fitness.

Sportcourt
A permanent option for year-round entertainment is a SportCourt. From $5,000 to $50,000, these courts are custom-designed to fit your needs. From adults playing tennis,to teens shooting hoops, or toddlers pedaling on tricycles, the courts are fully equipped with a poured concrete base, soft-top surface and perimeter fencing and lighting.
SportCourt CEO Greg Dettman says, “Our courts provide a safer, more controlled environment than parks and front yards, where kids can play and improve their skills, like hand-eye coordination.”
A court specialist will visit your home for a free consultation to provide you with two to three options for transforming your play space. For more information, call (512) 335-9779 or visit www.sportcourtsatex.com.

Pickle-ball
Twist all the racquet sports you can think of together and you’re in a pickle. Well, playing Pickle-Ball, at least. This paddle-game played with wood paddles and a plastic ball over a tennis-height net, on a badminton-size court is ideal for small spaces and can be set up in 10 minutes on a flat surface approximately the size of a driveway. The fun, easy-to-play game is great for all ages, combining tennis, badminton and ping pong skills. The price ranges from $84.95 to $119.95 and can be purchased from www.sportsnmore.com.

Bocce Ball
Bocce Ball, or the less sophisticated description, lawn bowling, is a quick-to-learn Italian team sport involving eight large, brightly colored Bocce balls. In Bocce, a ball is rolled down a lane with the goal of getting that ball to come to rest near a smaller ball, called a pallina or cue. The object of the game is to get as many of your team’s balls closer to the pallina than the opposing team’s closest ball. Bocce is among the earliest-known outdoor pastimes and is played in more countries than any other ball game, second to soccer, according to the International Bocce Association. Bocce sets range in price from $27.95 to $119.95. You can purchase your own piece of Italy at www.fincosport-n-toys.com. Or learn more about this ancient sport at www.borg.com/~iba/.

Giant Games
Nearly two-feet-high chess pieces and beachball-size dice — not your typical garden decor — offer an interesting, large-scale twist to your average board games. Blown up versions of Checkers, Operation, Connect-4, Chess, Jenga and more are available so you’re sure to have giant fun. The games range from $180 to $3,495 at www.reactionattractions.com. Reaction Attractions also offers inflatable batting cages and race tracks and, for the ultimate huge fun, human bowling. Strap yourself in the giant steel ball as you roll down an inflatable alley to knock down pins.