Keep the Kids Entertained with These DIY Summer Projects

With school coming to a close, the summer conundrum for nearly every parent is how to keep the kids busy over the summer. I’m a big fan of outdoor activity and I know how important it is to make sure that children of all ages are getting adequate exercise and minimizing screen time, so with that being said, I’ve rounded up some of my favorite at-home projects to keep kids of all ages occupied with some good old fashioned hands-on fun. Thanks to This Old House for the inspiration and let’s get into it.

Build a Lemonade Stand

An old-fashioned lemonade stand is not only fun to create with the kids, it also injects some entrepreneurial spirit at a young age. Building and decorating the stand itself is an awesome outdoor art project and the pocket money earned is a great introduction into the young one's first future summer job.

Create a Game Zone

Any yard can be transformed with a little bit of imagination. Dedicate one day a week to a new game and get the kids involved in creating a theme park right in their own green space. Slip and slide, croquet, horseshoes, and badminton are easy, budget friendly options to keep the young ones active and occupied.

Plant a Mini Garden

You would be amazed by how much you can harvest in even the smallest of spaces. Crowd-pleasing herbs like mint, summer fruits like strawberries and raspberries, and even veggies such as tomatoes and cucumbers are all easy to tend to and the kids love watching them as they grow.  You can even make a portable garden out of an old wheelbarrow or wagon.

Set Up a Swing

Nothing quite says summer like whooshing through a cool breeze on a homemade swing. I’m partial to a tire swing but you can make pretty much anything with a sturdy seat, some rope, and a solid tree. If you want an option for both kids and adults to share, I love a hammock, especially the ones from the brand ENO. They can be set up and taken down in less than five minutes, making them portable for taking on the road or rotating around the yard.

Spend a Night Under the Stars

Camping is a fun family activity but the packing, travel, and set-up make it more practical as a once in awhile occurrence. So why not break out the tent and sleeping bags for an evening under the stars in your own backyard? Roasting some smores and telling a few ghost stories will make it a night to remember, even if you end up sleeping in the house.

Summer is but once a year, so make this one to remember and have some fun! As a final note, I want to wish all of my fellow dads a Happy Father’s Day and a big congratulations to our local high school graduates, especially my great niece Emily Mitchell. You kids are the future of our city and we can’t wait to see what big things will come from you. Enjoy this special time in your lives and have a great summer.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

New Fencing Options for a Private Backyard Sanctuary

Having a private backyard oasis to enjoy during the summer months is one of my favorite things about being a homeowner. In my experience, creating a space that’s inviting and relaxing can make balmy weekday evenings feel like a mini-vacation, especially when a barbecue or bonfire is involved. But having an at-home retreat also means taking steps to ensure that your backyard is private and secure, especially when there is a pool or water feature involved. So today, I’d like to give you a peek into a range of fencing options to protect your yard and provide seclusion without forgoing great design.

Many homeowners love the aesthetic of a beautiful, timeless wood fence. They look elegant, provide fantastic privacy, and are easy to install. The downside, of course, is maintenance and with our hot summers and brutal winters, a wood fence will need regular staining or painting, a job that every homeowner dreads. On the positive side, if you like to update the look of your backyard frequently, wood can be painted in any color imaginable and it’s one of the most affordable options on the market. A six-foot panel will run around $25-$50 depending on the type of wood.

If you love the look of wood, but the upkeep has you thinking twice about the material, you might want to think about composite fencing. Composite is made from engineered wood, and while it mimics the look of the natural stuff, its lifespan is much longer with very little maintenance requirements and no worry that it will rot, splinter or warp.  The cost will vary based on the design and type, but you can expect to pay $100-$150 per six-foot section.

If you want something that’s sturdy and maintenance free, a chain link fence might be a good option for you. While they generally aren’t the most stylish in terms of design, a chain link fence will keep your backyard protected and they can be slightly customized in different colors and gauges. If you need more privacy, you can upgrade a chain link fence with metal slats. Best of all, it’s the cheapest of options, coming in at $100 or less for a 50-foot roll. If you like the idea of a metal fence, but prefer something a little more upscale, go for an aluminum option, which is powder coated and needs very little maintenance. A six-foot panel will run you $50-$75 depending on the height.

Finally, if you want something that will protect your yard without making it feel enclosed, there’s nothing like glass. A glass or plexiglass panel fence is beautiful for a yard with a view or to enclose a pool without shutting out the rest of your property. Glass fences are durable, but they do tend to scratch easily and need to be cleaned regularly. They are also generally the most expensive fencing option, especially if they need to enclose a large area or in-ground pool.

Happy Fencing!

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

To Patch, Resurface, or Replace Your Driveway - That is the Question

A driveway is the entry point into almost every home, but a cracked surface can instantly date and devalue the property, especially if you’re a homeowner who is looking to sell in the near future. Depending on the condition of the driveway, patching, resurfacing or replacing the asphalt are all options to give your home a freshening up that will increase its resale value. Let’s take a look at the best ways to tackle this project.

If you’re wondering why your driveway has cracked or crumbled in the first place, the most likely culprits are sun and rain. The strong rays from the sun break down the surface of the asphalt while water from rain, ice, and snow run underneath, eroding the gravel which creates cracks and areas that begin to cave in. A driveway should last for at least 15 years depending on the conditions, but as time passes and you start to see these signs, you’ll know that you’re ready for an upgrade.

If cracking is your problem, have a look at how thick the cracks are. If they are less than a quarter inch wide, you can use a liquid crack filler to fix them. First, use a screwdriver to remove any debris from the crack and then use a powerful stream of water from a hose or power washer ensure the inside of the crack is clean. Allow the area to dry completely. Once it’s dry, shake your crack filler vigorously to ensure all the ingredients are combined. Fill the crack flush to the rest of the pavement and then smooth to even it out if necessary. Allow the filler to dry, noting if the mixture sinks into the pavement and requires a second coat. Wait at least 24 hours before applying a second coat if necessary and then wait for an additional 24 to 48 hours before walking or driving on the repaired pavement.

If you have larger cracks, divots, or places in the driveway that have caved in slightly, you may need to resurface it. This is cheaper than replacing the entire driveway and can be a very effective alternative if the damage is not too severe. Concrete resurfacer can be purchased at any home improvement store and should be applied according to the instructions on the bag. Remember, resurfacing means that you won’t be able to use your driveway for a few days while it dries, so don’t take on this project on the same weekend that you’re hosting a graduation party or having a picnic for the 4th of July.

Finally, if you have large sinkholes or what we call birdbaths, it’s likely that the foundation and drainage system underneath the asphalt or concrete is not working properly, so patching and resurfacing are only going to work temporarily. If this is the case, you’ll likely need to replace the driveway in its entirety in order to truly fix the problem. While this is the most arduous of the three options, it will also last the longest. A new driveway under good conditions should have a lifespan of 20 to 25 years and new pavement will give your home fantastic curb appeal. Again it’s important to note that installing a new driveway is a two-step process which includes laying the gravel for drainage and setting the pavement on top. Putting down the gravel sometimes means waiting two weeks for it to settle, so before you take on this kind of work, be aware of the time that it takes to complete.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.