The summer can start to get boring when you don't have a fun schedule. Even if you have play groups, swim lessons, and pool time it can still get into a rut. Here are some new ideas to make the summer memorable for your kids.
Bug Hunt - Kids love to dig in the dirt and find bugs, even if you don't. We use pill boxes for bug boxes. The store brand ones are about $1 and can hold 7 bugs (that's enough for me). My kids look under rocks until they find one for all 7 spots. Then we let the bugs go. Since the "bug boxes" are inexpensive and compact they can be a great little surprise for the kids at the park and will give them something new to do.
Sidewalk Chalk - This is another inexpensive outside activity. Have the kids draw pictures, make a hopscotch board, play tic tac toe, or hang man. They have so many options for sidewalk chalk now.
Camp Out In - Make a camp out inside. Use the table, chairs, cushions, etc to make a tent. Bring in some snacks, a good book, and a flashlight. The kids will enjoy it. You can camp outside too. If you have a tent you can set it up in the backyard. Have a campfire, tell stories, read together and sleep outside.
MYO Summer Camp - Bring the fun of summer camp home. Maybe every Friday is your summer camp. You get all the household chores done other days and set aside Fridays as a fun day. You can have races, make an obstacle course, put on a play, make crafts (more on that later), have a sing a long time, and anything else that is fun at summer camp.
Scavenger Hunt - Make a list of things for the kids to find. You can do this at a park, your backyard, or inside. They may have to find things like a white rock, yellow flower, or something that starts with certain letters of the alphabet. You can also give them a clue for each thing instead of telling them what it is they are looking for.
Wild Goose Chase - Send your kids on a wild goose chase. Make a series of clues and hide them around the house and outside. For example, Clue 1 - Look for something that helps baby fly through the air (baby swing in back yard) on the back of the swing will be Clue 2 - How will we get there? (the car) somewhere on the car is clue 3 - Don't forget to do this before you go to bed (use the potty) on the back of the toilet they use by their bedrooms is clue 4 - The best way to cool off (have a cold treat) put this clue on a box of ice pops in the freezer. Then they can have their treat. You can do more clues than this but this is just to help you get started.
Crafts - Set up a craft bin with play-doh, water color paints, markers, finger paints, and an array of collage items (cut up egg cartons, string, buttons, scraps of fabric, paper, magazines, etc). Let them work outside on a picnic blanket or washable table and let them go to town. When you are done you can hose down the table (and the kids) to clean up. They don't get to play like that in the house.
Summer Journal - This is a fun idea with educational benefits. Get a plain notebook for each child or just make one with paper. have them decorate the cover and back with stickers and markers. If you want to make your own you can use card stock and have it bound at an office supply store in a few minutes for a few dollars or less. Have your kids write in the journal about the different things you do during the summer. A visit to/from Grandma, a road trip, the first jump off the big diving board, or learning to ride your bike without training wheels are all great things to write about. They can make a new book every summer or just put tabs in the book and add to it every year. What a great memory.
Tie Dye - You can make anything from clothing to pillowcases. Be creative. Make matching shirts for your family. They will be great on your next trip to an amusement park. For more info on how to tie dye go here .
Local Tourism - People travel to your area to see zoos, amusement parks, and other attractions. Have you seen them? Be a tourist in your own area. Look for attractions within an hour and do a day trip. Maybe go with another mom or two and their kids during the week. You can usually call ahead and ask how busy they are.
These are some of my ideas. What ideas do you have? Leave us a comment with some great ideas you have to keep your kids from getting bored this summer.
