*image source: intentionalcollegecommunity.com
-Go camping
Whether it's at a campground, or in your backyard the kids love sleeping outside in a tent! Make some smores, tell stories, and go on a flashlight hunt for night creatures. My family got a tent as a gift last year and have not used it, so we are hoping to camp a few nights at a state park near us. Our daughter Autumn has been bugging us to go for a long time now because she has not yet had a camping experience! We can't wait to go out, pitch a tent, and enjoy some good old fashion camping.
-Go to an amusement park
Universal Studios, Six Flags, or Disneyland are all good options, but any place works! We're planning a trip to Six Flags this year. Our daughter is only 5 but she is tall enough to enjoy some of the kid coasters and this year, even a big coaster that goes upside down. She can also ride most of the water rides as well. We have a group going so that the adults can take turns riding the bigger coasters while Autumn rides the kids rides. We went two years ago and it worked out okay when she was only 3. There is plenty to do for most ages!
-Go Swimming!
In your backyard pool, your local pool, or a water park! Swimming is always a highlight of the summer for the kids! We have a membership to our local pool. It's definitely worth it, because we go a lot over the summer. Anytime we have some free time on a hot summer day Autumn wants to be at the pool! She gets to see a lot of her friends there too since so many people are members.
-Check out a local festival/carnival.
Okay, carnivals are pricey. Check to see if your local carnival has a wristband day. Usually on certain days between certain hours they have an all you can ride wristband for sale for about $20! Sometimes you can buy them ahead of time. If you aren't into the rides, they always have good local music and food!! We love our local fest and look forward to it every year! They have fireworks on the first and last day of the fest, so we usually try to at least attend on those days. Fests are a great place to meet friends!
Always a hit! Who doesn't want to see lions and gorillas up close! No need to travel out of the country! How about dolphins and sharks? Kids of all ages enjoy seeing the animals, so it's a great place for families with children of multiple age groups! We plan to make a trip to our zoo at least once this year. More if we have time! My favorite exhibit to see at the zoo are the big cats, and my husband enjoys the reptile house! My daughter loves everything, and is always telling me facts about the different animals! Maybe we'll even grab a bison burger while we're there!
-The Beach!
Swimming at a pool is great, but getting your toes between the sand while you build sandcastles is the best! Many cities have a beach near them whether it's a lake or ocean! This is a great place to spend an afternoon under an umbrella. Bring food/drinks and have a picnic! We plan to go to a secluded beach located about an hour from us. It's beautiful, not too crowded, and has a playground! The water is a bit cold, but Autumn loves the sand. She is also fascinated with picking up rocks, and other small treasures from the shore!
-Have a backyard cookout!
Invite friends and family, grill up some hamburgers and hot dogs, put on music and set up a sprinkler! Backyard parties are always fun, and give you an excuse to chill with the people you love! I'll use any excuse to turn on the grill and cook! I like to invite everyone over for a beginning of the summer, Fourth of July, and end of the summer cookout at the least! Anytime friends want to come over for a cookout, drink a beer, play bags, and let the kids run around, I am up for it! I love being outside, because before you know it, summer is over!
-Plan a sleepover for your kids!
They probably miss their friends about mid summer, why not plan a sleepover! Have everyone bring their sleeping bags, and set them up in the living room. They can play with toys and games, then watch movies and eat popcorn! Customize to fit the needs of the children's ages/interests. My daughter loves when people come over, especially if they are kids she can play with and not just adults! She'd love to have her friends, or cousins over for a sleepover. They can play with her toys, check out her bunny, make some cookies, eat some popcorn, and watch Frozen, or Despicable Me 2. Hopefully we can make this happen!
-Join a summer reading program.
My daughter and I both joined one! Local bookstores and libraries have summer reading programs where you can win prizes! Keep everyone's brains from completely shutting off all summer! She has to read 15 days before she can get a prize, and then 30 days for the last prize. I have to read 5 books before August. I already got my first new book to read. The Fault In Our Stars, and I can't wait to start it! Then I can go see the movie! I also bought my daughter two new books from the Splat The Cat series. We just love them!
-Join a summer sport!
There are so many to play in the summer that kids or adults can enjoy! Baseball, swimming, football, cheer, tennis, and golf to name a few. Pick something you've done and enjoy, or try something new! I signed our daughter up for swimming lessons, and cheerleading.She, like a lot of kids, is always complaining she is bored, or else she is watching TV. It gives her something to do this summer other than sit around.
-Go to a museum.
Learning is good for young minds. Museums can provide knowledge and fun! Go to your local planetarium, history, science or art museum! We plan to visit our planetarium this week, and Autumn has never been there. I've always enjoyed astronomy, and as a kid wanted to be an astronaut. I'll take the opportunity to show my daughter how cool it can be! Check your local museums for an discount days they may have. We are going on a scheduled free day so we just have to pay parking.
-Go fishing.
Fishing can be a great time, especially if you combine it with camping! Teach your kids how to put bait on a line, cast the pole, and watch the bobber for any action! If my husband and I manage to go buy fishing poles at some point, and get our fishing licenses, I think my goal will be to catch at least one fish this summer! Our daughter loves fishing, and it'll be a fun activity to do when we go camping! If we make it there!
These are some things on our list. You can start a list and even add more later if you wish. Whatever you decide to do, have fun, make memories, take some pictures, and enjoy your family. Kids grow fast, and life is short. Don't forget to stop, breathe, and enjoy the moment!
