With the boom of technological advancements in recent years, both children and adults are spending less time in the great outdoors. Despite beautiful weather and big backyards, it’s harder than ever to get the gang to leave their video games and TV shows inside to explore a home’s outdoor living space. Leave the threats behind and offer something worthwhile; after all, you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar! If you’d like to bring the family together on a sunny afternoon, try these three fun backyard upgrades on for size.

• Picnic Table: Summer was made for traipses through fields of grass (where the blades tickle your toes) that end at handmade picnic tables. The trip, no matter how short, will reconnect you and your family with nature. Handmade picnic tables (and in fact any Amish made outdoor furniture) is a full sensory experience: the sight, smell, and feel of the high quality wood reminds you of the work that went into it — as 100% of Amish furniture is handcrafted — without losing any elegance or beauty. Throw in some handmade Adirondack chairs and you’ve got a perfect place to sit, have some lunch, and watch the dappled sunshine play on the ground.
• Outdoor Chess: Everyone remembers the chess scene from the ending of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. While your outdoor chess set may not be quite that big, it will do wonders at encouraging your family members to test each other’s wit and mettle. If you already have a stone deck, half of the work is done: simply outline the board and get your hands on some super-sized chess pieces.
• Outdoor Theater: If you can’t take the tech away from the person, use it as a lure! Building an outdoor theater is a great way to experience the best of both worlds: the comfort of your favorite movie played on a big screen, and the soothing sounds of nature at night. The whole family will be scrambling to find a seat once the sun goes down, offering fun that lasts the whole summer.

Sometimes, it just takes a little effort to bring your loved ones together. Once they realize how much fun and delightful the soft breeze and later afternoon sun can be — especially with these amenities thrown in — you’ll be facing a new problem: getting them to come in at the end of the day!