It’s officially spring and even though it may not feel like it some places, warmer weather is approaching! This means that it’s a good time to take your D.I.Y. projects outdoors and start creating right in your own backyard. There are so many things that the whole family can do together, and here are five activities that you can try this spring.

#1: Update Your Lawn Furniture

Buying new lawn furniture is fairly simple, but it can also get expensive. If you already have lawn furniture, you’ll probably be able to spruce it up and avoid having to buy a new set. Sometimes all your metal lawn furniture needs is a good cleaning and a fresh coat of paint. Vinyl seat cushions can be cleaned with a borax, dish soap, and warm water mixture, and there’s even special paint for painting vinyl furniture. If you have young children, you may want to involve them in the painting process only, as borax can be a potential toxin to children.

#2: Something Special for the Birds

Many people have birds that visit (or live in) their yard from time to time, so why not make them feel more at home? You can make a bird feeder out of almost anything, whether it be recycled items from your home or found items from outside. All you need is some type of container to hold the bird seeds (like a plastic bottle) and something extending from the feeder (such as a wooden spoon) to allow the birds access to the seeds.

Another cool D.I.Y. idea for birds is a D.I.Y. birdbath. All you need is a large candlestick, making the largest end the top. Simply clean and paint an old (or new) candlestick and pour clean water (or wait until it rains) onto the top.

#3: Plant a Garden

Gardening is one of the most classic and well-known activities, and although it may not be considered a true “D.I.Y.” it’s still something that you do yourself. Planting a family garden not only allows you to spend more time with your family, but you’ll also spend more time outdoors as a family. Sunlight (with sunscreen of course) is a great source of vitamin D, which boosts your immune system and is good for your bones. Gardening also provides you with light exercise.

If those benefits aren’t enough to convince you to start a garden, think about all of the healthy fruits and vegetables you can plant in your garden. Children are more likely to try healthy foods when they know where they come from, so getting them to eat vegetables can be less of a struggle. And home gardening doesn’t have to be expensive— and can even be less expensive than shopping at the grocery store.

You can also get creative with where and how you plant your garden— try a raised garden bed or a window box. You can also create a path in your garden if your yard is big enough to accommodate one. Gardening doesn’t have to be a boring activity, as there are many ways to get creative with it.

#4: Construct a Tree Swing

This is one of the easiest and most fun backyard D.I.Y.s to create— all you need is some rope and a sturdy piece of board to create your tree swing. Just make sure that the piece of board doesn’t contain any splinters, your rope is sturdy, and that the completed swing is securely attached to a healthy tree limb to avoid any unwanted injuries. If you’re not sure if a tree is healthy or you want to keep all of your trees healthy, call a lawn professional to help you assess the health of your trees and plants.

#5: Build a Compost Bin

One way to teach your children about the importance of protecting the environment is to show them how to turn yard waste and food scraps into soil by composting. Compost bins are pretty simple to build— all you need is some wood pallets and some power tools. This nutrient-rich soil can also be used in your home garden!

Backyard D.I.Y. crafts can be a positive learning experience for children of all ages. Just make sure that whatever activities you involve your children in are appropriate for their level of ability, and that they can enjoy the outcome just as much as you.