30 Simple Ways to Make the Most of Summer With Your Kids
by ParentCo.
May 27, 2016
I'm not trying to give you hives or anything, but I've checked the calendar, and (maybe you should sit down) there are only FIFTEEN weekends between Memorial Day and Labor Day. That's just 30 weekend summer days.
The good news is, the days are long, (try telling my kids it's time to get ready for bed at 7:30 when the sun is shining directly into their eyeballs) and the best weekends can cram in a months worth of awesome memories. Packing it all in takes a little planning. Here are 30 things to put on your summer bucket list and get cracking.
1 | Take in a movie at the drive-in
2 | Run a lemonade stand
Skip the powdered stuff,
make it look fancy and be the best stand on the block.
3 | Take a trip to the beach
\ An epic vacation or a day close to home. Just make sure you get some time with your toes in the sand.
4 | Make smores over a fire
Don't be afraid to break the rules.
5 | Go camping/camp out in the back yard
We've been
pinning ideas for a trip for months now. (The raccoon couple that lumbers through our yard makes me nervous, however.)
6 | Go to a concert
Outdoor music events are the cornerstone of our summer.
7 | Go hiking
8 | Perfect your bubble recipe
Option one.
9 | Go fishing
10 | Do some stargazing
Find a field in the country or even your backyard (the darker, the better) and watch the stars come out. Identify constellations with the kids
Star Walk app, or
find an observatory that is open to the public and blow their minds.
11 | Watch a fireworks display
12 | Pick your own berries
Lessons I've learned in 7ish seasons of berry picking: strawberries usually come first and go quickly. Blueberries last longer and are easier to pick a lot of fast. Raspberries have thorns and make people cry.
13 | Water fight!
Fill 100 balloons in one minute, or just turn the hose on them. Giant wet sponges make great ammo as well.
14 | Go to a baseball game
Major league, minor league, to kids (and let's face it, most adults) it doesn't make a difference. As long as there's junk food and (relatively) good-natured yelling, everyone is pretty stoked.
15 | Go miniature golfing
Bonus points for going to one of the "
craziest courses on earth".
16 | Go to a fair
Go hungry. Leave loathing yourself.
17 | Host a popsicle party
A friend hosts an annual end of the school year popsicle party. From this amazing sugar laden gala I've learned two important things: Don't waste time on cute labels and printed die cut popsicle garland because NO ONE NOTICES ANYTHING AFTER YOU SAY THE PHRASE UNLIMITED POPSICLES. Also, liquor freezes. (Pro tip: Borrow a second freezer for the adult popsicles.)
Holy recipes.
18 | Organize a giant game of adults vs. kids capture the flag
We do this with a group of friends every year and it's becoming increasingly unfair. The kids get faster while the adults, well, let's just say, it isn't pretty.
Need a refresher on how to play?
19 | Visit a state (or national!) park
Find a National Park here.
Find a state park.
20 | Watch caterpillars transform into butterflies
We found black swallowtail butterfly caterpillars on our dill plants last year and we became caterpillar foster parents for a month. I am not exaggerating when I say it was the highlight of the summer.
21 | Play tourist in a neighboring town
Lunch, shopping, and strolling in an unfamiliar place close to home is an often overlooked but fun way to spend a Sunday.
22 | Hit up a farmers market
Find one near you, or while on vacation via
Local Harvest.
23 | Visit a farm
Cow milking not necessarily required.
24 | Watch a parade
Or have your own. Kids love banging on stuff and walking around the neighborhood.
25 | Give a winter kid a half birthday party
As a January birthday, I can tell you there's nothing more alluring than a birthday party that involves in season watermelon and enjoying the sunshine.
26 | Take a family bike ride
27 | Build an obstacle course
As a kid, my friends and I took turns setting up challenges for each other for hours at a time. You can use props or simply a playground with lots of equipment and few other kiddos.
A few ideas to get you started thanks to Martha.
28 | Organize a talent or art show
Cousins showcasing their singing and dancing skills in the backyard, or a really planned out Porch Idol. It's up to you.
29 | Set out to master one new skill or talent
Whatever it is- hula hooping, rolling on a skateboard, riding a bike, diving off the diving board, write it down, make it known, and conquer. (Parents, you too.)
30 | Take the long way
Early last summer we set out to scooter toward home for as long as we could go without someone having a breakdown. Instead of catching the bus along the route eventually, as we had intended, the kids got into epic quest mode and did the entire 4 miles. It's an adventure they talk about weekly. (Which isn't totally impressive until I mention that one of them was 2.)
What else would you add?
ParentCo.
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