Ah Summer... A time to take it slow, relax, enjoy.
Well maybe if you don't have kids telling you they're bored every 10 minutes!
Been there done that! So to help here are some of my tried and tested slow summer activities, to help postpone the dreaded "I'm BOOARD!" and help everyone enjoy these warmer months.
Mud Pie Kitchen
Make Belief and Mess! Could it get any better for a kid?
All you need is a few items, you probably have in your kitchen or can be easily found at a thrift store.
*They will most likely be ruined, so don't use something very near and dear to you or expensive.*
Need I say more?
What kid doesn't love a day at the beach? Be sure to bring some sand castle making supplies. Snacks, drinks and something to carry home the marvellous treasures your kid will no doubt find. Bonus you can find lots of things to craft with your found items on the internet, my go to is Pinterest.
Building Forts
What an iconic childhood activity! Make it extra special by having a picnic in your fort, reading books or even watching a movie in the fort.
Reading
My kids always enjoyed going to the library to pick out some books. Bonus points if you can plan it on a day that they have an activity going on at the library your kids might like.
When you get home you can read their books in their fort or on the trampoline (if you have one).
My kids and I spent many lazy afternoons having picnic and reading their books on the trampoline, pillows and blankets are must!
Have Fun Hosting a Home Theatre
Get or make tickets, close the drapes, gather snacks and drinks and create a little movie snack stand. Someone can be the ticket checker and the snack attendant.
A nice and relaxing way to escape the midday heat!
Yard Games
There's a reason these outdoor sports have been around for so long. They're just plain fun.
Obstacle Course
Take toys and object lying around your yard and create an obstacle course. Skipping ropes, hula hoops, balls, sticks, hippity hops (those big balls with handles you bounce on) really anything can be used in an obstacle course (provided it's safe). Half the fun is creating the obstacle course. You could even do a water themed course with buckets, sponges, sprinklers, slip and slides and balloons if you like.
If your kids fight light cats and dogs you can make it a collaborative game where they have to complete the course within a certain amount of time to win a little prize (eg. screen time, ice cream)
Going For a Walk
A simple one but a good one. Take a walk around your neighbourhood. Let conversation flow naturally. This can be such an enjoyable time spent together. My kids are known their teens and we still go on walks together. I find it encourages them to converse with me more freely. Less me: "how was your day?" them: "good.".... crickets.
The Good Ole Scavenger Hunt
Who doesn't love a scavenger hunt. My kids LOVED them! You can do this in your own yard or on a walk, trip to the park or at the beach. This is another thing that can be changed up so easily. You can make it just by colour eg. find something green, find something yellow. It can be done inside if it's too hot or rainy or outside.
Always a fun activity for the kiddos.
Crafting With Nature
I put this under the scavenger hunt and walk on purpose. You can now use your found items to do some art with. You could paint on the items you found or use them as paint brushes. You could glue them to some yardstick or cardboard to make a collage or scene. Truly so many fun things you can do. I encourage you to check out Pinterest for some great ideas.
Make a Fairy Garden
This can be as big or as little as you like. You can make it in an existing garden, a space below a tree or in a planter or a garden dish. So many different ways to do it. You can make the houses out of little bird houses, milk cartons, juice jugs and/or popsicle sticks. You could even make little doors to attach to a tree or garden edging like bricks, or planter boxes. Let your imaginations run wild!
Potion Making
I have put on a Harry Potter themed day and I think the potion making was probably the most popular activity. So much so my daughter kept recreating it many times after.
I do suggest that you do this outside or have some old towels under where the potion making will take place.
Set Up
You can put the items in separate containers, bottles, jars etc. you can go as far as to label them (eye of newt) but it's not necessary. Kids have wonderful imaginations. If you opt to use food colouring be sure to add and mix it with the vinegar before hand. Then put it all out either outside or on top of a protective layer, things will overspill. Now it's time to let you your little witches and wizards create some magic.
*I will say you will probably be asked for more vinegar and baking soda because that's the best part!
Puddle Boat Sailing
It's pretty much exactly what it says. Take advantage of any wet weather we have by letting your children sail boats on puddles. It can be as simple as a leaf or bark boat or you can use toy boats or make recycled boats. Imagination is your only limitation.
Summer Heat, Sprinkler Fun!
Who doesn't remember running through the cold water of the sprinkler when we were kids? I remember having loads of fun leaping through the chilly streams of water, trying to ovoid the water jets like it was my own personal challenge.
Such a simple fun way to cool off this summer. I dare you to run through too! It will surely lead to lots of laughs!
Sidewalk Paint
Another kid approved activity, sidewalk paint. it's very easy and cheep to make and lots of fun for the kiddos!
Don't have a sidewalk? No problem, you can paint on rocks, a fence or the porch/deck. (It washes away)
Bee Watering Station
Something we never really think of but bees need water to drink too. Why not help support or pollinator pals by making this bee water station? It's pretty simple and depending on ages your kids can help make or decorate the water station.
