Play outside
There’s nothing quite like lacing up your sneakers, breaking a sweat and coming back home with a grass stain or two to show for it. Here’s some of the equipment you can gift that’s sure to drag your friends off of their beach towels to join you.
Starting with the basics, you really can’t go wrong with a football, a Frisbee, a kickball or Wiffle ball (and bat). None of these items will break the bank and you’ll find them at sports equipment stores all over the island. The Sports Authority on Ward just celebrated its grand-reopening, and will be open on Thanksgiving day. Why not work up an appetite with a pre-feast family football tradition starting this year?
Footballs and Frisbees never go out of style, but there’s also something to be said for somewhat dated classics like Slip ‘n Slide. Call it kidstuff if you must, but careening down a slick, yellow tarp is as fun now as it was when you were a kid. It’s as good a reminder as any that we can have as much fun as we did when we were keiki, and in some cases, doing just the same things. You can find Slip ‘n Slide at any number of stores, including Sports Authority and Target. The original variety goes for less than $10, though barbecue ballers might opt for the Splash Factory or Slip ‘n Slide Mega Shark, each retails at $29.99.
Along those same lines, we think it’s always fun to receive gifts that we forgot even existed. Consider tracking down old childhood favorites that are actually discontinued or otherwise off the scene. On our forgotten wish-list? Skip-it (or its predecessor, Lemon-Twist), Roller Racers, Super Soakers, Jarts lawn-darts and Pogo Balls. While the keiki might actually appreciate these old-school gifts, we like them best as nostalgic presents for the young-at-heart. The best bet for many of these and similar items is eBay, but it’s more fun to go treasure hunting at local garage sales or swap meets.
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