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summer activities
Fun

5 Must-Do Activities This Summer With Your Kids

by Amanda Foust
written by Amanda Foust

Summer is just around the corner, and we can all use advice for activities to plan for our kids. Sure, there are summer camps, VBS, and (for some) the pool, but what about all that extra time in between since school no longer is an option during the summer months?

As I said in this post, imaginary play just isn’t my jam. However, I typically do much better during the summer months! The pressure is off, the weather is nice, and I’m much more in the mood to come up with fun activities!

summer activities

Source: Brandon.Macaronikid.com

1. Ice Block Treasure Hunt

The heat during the summer months can be brutal. What else could kids love more than a way to cool themselves off while playing? Macaroni Kid introduces a great activity for kids through creating an ice block treasure hunt. Gather random little odds and ends, fill a box with them and cover with water. Then place in the freezer until it’s a solid block ready for your little explorers to chip away!

Read how to create this ice block here.

summer activities

2. Sidewalk Chalk

Take advantage of sidewalk chalk! My kids entertain themselves for hours with chalk! They color the sidewalk, themselves, and each other! One time my son painted my cheeks with chalk, I forgot about it and wore it on my face the rest of the afternoon. (whoops!)

Here are 10 sidewalk chalk ideas to give you some inspiration.

 

summer activities

Source: simplifylivelove.com

3. Squirt Gun Art

Be prepared for another messy activity, mamas! But I have a feeling you will want to join in on this fun! Instead of water, load the squirt guns with WASHABLE paint, lay out a blank canvas (this could be a white sheet or various scrap pieces of paper), and let the “war” begin! This is a messy activity, so be sure to wear old clothes and stay outdoors!

summer activities

Source: housingaforest.com

4. Build Your Own Sprinkler

Where I live, the summers are very humid. If I want my kiddos to not only go outside but STAY outside, I have to incorporate water into their play. My husband is a resourceful handyman and is always coming up with new inventions — taking old things and transforming them into activities for the kids. I’m excited to give him the challenge of a homemade sprinkler this year!

For simple instructions to build your own sprinkler, check out Housing A Forest.

summer activities

Source: iheartcraftythings.com

5. Color Scavenger Hunt

Although Pinterest is full of amazing, creative ideas, sometimes I just want a quick and simple go-to for the kids. I don’t have time to dedicate long hours to developing fun activities, so when I saw this simple paper bag and marker scavenger hunt idea, I knew I needed to add this to my summer activities list! You can make up your own scavenger hunt rules, but the easy rules are that your kiddos find things either inside or out that match the colors you put on the bag. First one to find all the colors wins!

Check out I Heart Crafty Things for more instructions.

Tell us in the comments a few of YOUR go-to summer activities! We need all the help we can get!

summer activities

Amanda Foust

Amanda Foust

Amanda is a wife, mother, writer/editor, and certified life coach. Pen and paper make her spirit come alive. She spends her creative time reading, decorating, and handwriting fonts. Her world is better with an assortment of chocolate and a stack of books packed and ready for travel. She works each day to be a creative maker and a light bringer. You can find more of her writing at Downs, Ups & Teacups and TheDailyPositive.com.
Amanda Foust

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stress-free summer
FunKids

7 Ways To Have A Stress-Free Summer With Kids

by Jordyn Smith
written by Jordyn Smith

Summer is supposed to be a time of long, beautiful days and maximum relaxation. Unfortunately, if you are spending your summer wrangling kids around everyday, things can get a lot less serene and way more stressful. Follow these great tips to figure out how to make summer break with your kids as stress-free as possible.

stress-free summer

1. Keep The Commitments To A Minimum

Between birthday parties, local activities, and countless other things, there are a lot of things to do during the summer. But the more you take on the more stressful your summer becomes. When it comes to summertime commitments, you should keep them to a minimum. If your kids already go to day or summer camp, try not to sign them up for tons of other activities and classes as well. This will reduce the running you have to do and allow your family to spend more time together.

2. Participate In Free Activities

Money is a common cause of stress among families, this is especially true during the summer. If you want to keep your kids entertained without having to shell out big bucks, participate in free activities. Sprinklers at your local parks, neighborhood pools, library read-alongs, be sure to keep your eye out on family-friendly activities in your area and take advantage of as many as possible.

3. Designate Chores

If you have school-aged children, going from having them at school all day to having them at home can be a bit difficult at first. You will have more dirty laundry, more used dishes, and more eaten food during the summer when your kids are hanging around the house. One of the best ways to keep your house in order and your stress way down is to designate age-appropriate chores for your kids to every day. This will keep them from getting lazy over the summer and help you out a ton.

4. Create A Loose Schedule

Your kids may resist at first, but getting your family on a summer schedule can be very good for you. Your days don’t have to be tightly planned down to the minute, but setting wake up, meal, nap, and bedtimes will keep things in order over the summer and make the transition back into school days a little less brutal at the end of the season.

5. Don’t Be Afraid To Stay At Home

With tons of activities happening everyday, a lot of families feel the need to be constantly moving. And while we aren’t telling you to stay inside all day every day, you shouldn’t feel bad about being homebodies. Sometimes, the best way to spend your free time is curled up on the couch with your loved ones luxuriating in the blessings of your air conditioner.

6. Take Some Mommy Time

Go out to brunch with your girls every Saturday, enjoy a few extra long baths, indulge in your favorite books. Summertime should be a time of relaxation and fun for everyone, not just the kids. Remember that you deserve a break sometimes and don’t feel guilty about taking one.

7. Find Boredom Busters For The Kids

The more happy, satisfied, and independently busy your kids are, the more stress-free your days will be. Luckily, there are tons of activities out there that will allow your kids to be all of those things right in the comfort of your own home. Head over to Pinterest to find tons of ideas for creating boredom busters for your kids this summer.

 

Stress-free summer

Jordyn Smith

Jordyn Smith

A city girl currently living it up in the south with my little family. I love baking, hoarding makeup, and daydreaming. If I'm not writing, I'm probably trying to think up weird pizza recipes or watching Property Brothers.
Jordyn Smith

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