I love a good life hack as long as it makes sense and it's safe. A family's financial situation or schedule can dictate the level of life hacks we experience as children. The great thing about life hacks when it comes to kids is the fact that kids do not care. All that matters is they get to enjoy a variation of whatever it is they want to do.

An example would be kids asking for a sandbox in the yard but money and timing aren't in favor of it. The solution: Find a tire, find some sand, and make the children happy.

Canva
Canva
loading...

A good, old-fashioned American-made tire filled with sand. Boom, problem solved.

What about on a blazing hot sunny day? You want your kids to play outside like we did but they want to play in the water. Great, now the kids are asking to go to the pool or a water park? It's time to bust out the hose and sprinkler.

Canva
Canva
loading...

I can't even begin to guess how many times I played with the sprinkler as a child or how many gallons of water I've consumed from a hose. I can tell you with certainty how many times I've done both as an adult, it's zero.

Another scenario involves being stuck inside. When this happens in my house I know for a fact my youngest is going to ask for something specific. She's going to want to build a tent in their bedroom or family room. By "she" I mean me, which is fine.

The solution? Grab some blankets and make it happen.

Canva
Canva
loading...

Some readers may think these are "hillbilly" life hacks and they are correct but, it doesn't make them any less enjoyable.

I saw this baby swing hanging from a tree and, once I got a closer look, I was trying to decide if this was hillbilly, genius, or both

JB Love, TSQ
JB Love, TSQ
loading...

The answer to the question is both, this is hillbilly and genius.

Ummm, can anyone explain why these toys are tethered to an abandoned motel south of Rockford???

The Most Bizarre Items Ever Stolen From Illinois Residents

My mom once told me that "people will steal anything that's not nailed down." Times certainly have changed since then. The thieves now have nail removers.

More From Rockford's New Country Q98.5