11 Things to Do with your Kids During The Summer

 Each summer the inevitable happens.  Summer.  If you have young children they begin to become more excited as the weather warms up, wanting to spend more and more time outside.  If your children are a little older, school will be out and you’ll wonder what you are going to do with them for an extra 6-8 hours a day.  Are you ready for Summer?

 Let us help you relieve some of that stress by giving you some activities that you can do with your children this summer.

1. Go for a walk.  If you’re like me, where it can easily break 110 degrees during the summer, I’d suggest doing this activity in the morning.  The earlier the better.  Even the young children like to get out and go for a walk.  And if you’re looking for a way to work a little exercise into your day, this may be the way!  Where we live, we are able to go to a levee where we can walk along the water, see the fish and the ducks, geese, rabbits, or whatever wildlife may be around at any given time.  They are particularly excited when the rabbits appear.  Each appearance is followed by squeals of delight as the children chase after the poor little animal as quickly and as loudly as possible.  It’s good fun for all involved – except maybe the poor little rabbit that has been scared out of its wits.
2. Discover the Library.  Even my 4-year old loves to read.  He has no idea what he’s reading, but boy does he love it!  Go to your local library and see what they have to offer. For the younger children they may have a story time, activities, etc.  For the older ones they may have access to the Internet, or they can get lost in whatever topic fascinates them. – Plus, you’ll get a little peace and quiet.
3. Don’t be afraid to get wet.  Yes, it would be nice if everyone could go to a great big water park that includes a wave machine, water slides, and life guards. But is it absolutely necessary?  Not really.  My children still love a good water balloon fight, squirting each other with the hose, and running through the sprinkler. If you want a truly memorable experience – go out there and play in the water with them!  Need a little time to yourself?  Invite their friends over and let them play together. The other alternative is to see if there is a public pool, a friend’s pool, river, or lake nearby that you can visit.
4. Get creative.  Maybe you can get a digital or disposable camera and let the kids take pictures – whatever they want!!!! Then, when you’ve used up all the pictures get them developed, or print them off and make a scrapbook with the pictures – nothing fancy. Just some colored paper, colored pens or crayons, and some goofy comments underneath each picture. J  Let the fun begin!
5. Go Camping.  An all-time favorite for the last 3 years running has been the weekend camping trip.  Yes, it requires a lot of equipment if you aren’t an outdoors enthusiast (luckily I am).  So, if you don’t have the equipment does not despair!  Break out the blankets and camp out in your living room, or go to a nearby hotel and call it a ‘night out’!
6. Smores!  Smores are the fun little camping food that includes graham crackers, marshmallows, and Chocolate Bars.  Never Fear! You no longer have to go camping to enjoy smores!  Break out the candles, some metal skewers, and roast em’ over your candle flame!  Fun, festive, and definitely creative.
7. Now you’re cooking!  Take some time out of your busy day and do a little cooking.  Children love to cook.  They get your undivided attention, and they get to do stuff that only the adults get to do.  Cooking can include something as simple as making a pitcher of Kool-Aid, or mixing up some home made ice cream in your ice cream maker, to making up some cookies, pie or dinner!
8. Cold as Ice.  Remember that Kool-Aid you just made?  Break out the ice cube trays and fill them with your newly made drink, then stick Popsicle sticks in the juice and wait for it to freeze.  Viola! Home made Popsicles.  If you don’t have an ice cube tray, you can always rinse out some water balloons and, using a meat baster, fill the balloons with the Kool-Aid. Then, when frozen, you just cut the balloon and they have a  round Popsicle (or a pretty vicious ice ball!)
9. Slave Labor.  I’m kidding, of course….sort of J Why wait until Spring to do your spring-cleaning.  Every year when I was younger my parents would decide on one major project and the entire family would pitch in and get the job done.  Summer is a great time to figure out what needs to be done and to turn it into a family activity.  Work, although unpleasant at times is an important skill to teach your children.  Teach them a strong work ethic not only by giving them a task to do but also by example, by working side-by-side with them to get your job done. 
10. Get ready for the school year.  Kids sprout like weeds!  If you start early, you can really cut down on the pain inflicted upon your pocketbook by buying some of your school clothes early.  Take a day and go through every article in your child’s closet and drawers.  Figure out what is too small, ripped, torn, stained, or completely unsalvageable.  Write a list of what your child will need for the new school year, and begin to buy products at the beginning of summer. This way less will end up on your credit card, and more can be absorbed into your existing budget.
11. It’s time.  Regardless of WHAT you do this summer, realize that it all comes down to time and attention. What your children want most from you regardless of their age – or yours is time and attention.  Every minute counts, especially for the younger children.  Time is precious during those few years when they think their parents are the coolest people on the face of this Earth.  All too soon they will begin to think that everything you do, say, or think is embarrassing. Don’t be surprised if your older kids don’t even want to interact with you during the summer.  It’s not always the conversations or activities that you have together.  It’s the mere fact that you are around, available, and WILLING to spend time with them. 

And Good Luck!  If all else fails, just remember that summer is only a few months long.

Learn more than 130 other activity ideas to do with your children! Click Here!