Ideas to Create Your Summer “Fun” List

 

 

Summer has officially started in our household!  My daughter “graduated” from first grade and will be starting second in about four weeks (she goes to a year round so doesn’t have long breaks).  I wanted to make a list of fun things to do this summer to help keep her busy and keep me sane.  You know those days when you are thinking what shall we do today – without breaking the bank! Today I plan to make a list of things we would all like to do over the summer.  I think the more free-flowing our suggestions are – the better – who knows what might come up that might be a blast!  For instance, we are having a Nerf gun party after the 4th of July with a group of kids from her class.  It was a random comment I made to another mom and now we have a whole group of kids ready to have some fun at our Nerf gun/pool party!  Here are some fun ideas to try out that are free or fairly inexpensive.  Enjoy your summer lovely dandelion moms!

 

Look Locally

Check with your local city hall and get a list of local museums, trails and parks, libraries, and farmer’s markets.  Most libraries have reading programs offered throughout the summer.  And check with your local PBS station as they are offering free activities in communities as well.  Most cities have great parks and trails you can try out on the weekends with the whole family.  Or take a family bike trip and pack a picnic lunch.  There is a ton to do right in your neighborhood!  And think about dropping off some items to your local animal shelter (they always need old towels and blankets), or local women and children’s shelter.  I like to show my daughter about the importance of giving back and helping others by doing these volunteer activities.

 

Free and Discounted Fun

Again, check with your local city hall for any concerts and movies offered at parks, and local movie theaters who might be offering discounted family movies.  We have a dollar movie theater that plays older family films but many times they are ones we didn’t have a chance to see in the theater and offer them at a much cheaper price.  Try a bonfire at your local beach or park and make some yummy S’mores.

 

 

Stay-Vacation

Look for ways to create a stay-vacation.  We tend to do this a lot around the 4th of July since we have access to a local pool that is rarely used.  Surprisingly so!  We feel like we are at our own resort and bring hot-dogs, vegetables and s’mores and hang out at the pool all day.  Also, look for deals this summer at local amusement parks, camping grounds or even take a short road trip.  You’d be surprised how refreshed you feel after getting away for a day or two.  Have your kids set some goals at the beginning of summer to either learn how to skateboard, surf, boogie board, shoot some hoops, read a chapter book, or anything else that your children have been talking about wanting to do.  It’s great to set some fun goals and make time each day to accomplish them!

 

Take it Outdoors

There are so many fun things to do over the warm summer months.  We bought an inexpensive slip-n-slide at our local Marshalls and it has been used several times already!  And grab some water balloons at your local Target for some family fun!  Nerf gun games are a blast and we play this quite a bit after dinner.  Our neighbors think we are silly but boy I have a blast chasing my daughter around the neighborhood GI Joe style!  If you like camping, check your local camping sites or pick a state nearby for a longer vacation.  Get wet with water sprinklers, water balloon fights/toss, and swimming pools.

 

Indoor Fun

Some indoor activities include making crafts together – check www.pbs.org for some fun ideas. Make a family board game night at least once a week.  We love Monopoly in our house though my husband and daughter team up against me and go after Board Walk and Park Place first thing – sneaky!  Play some Nintendo, Xbox or Wii games together.  Though I am not very good at it, we play Minecraft together which is usually my daughter telling me how to move the controls.  That’s okay – it is spending the time together that matters most.  Movie Nights at home are also a hit.  We make a big bowl of popcorn and select a movie we all want to watch.  This usually encompasses either The LEGO Movie, Despicable Me 2, The Pirate Fairy – all of my daughter’s favorites. And try cooking some new recipes together.  Raddish Kids has a great kit you can order that helps you teach your kids about healthy eating with some tools and activities – with the end result a delicious meal.

 

Here are some fun ideas you try out:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Create a Summer Bucket Wall.  Love this idea from Organize Your Stuff Now.  Find out how to make your own here.

 

 

 

 

 

Make some cute little post-its with the activity you want to do for the day. Image found on Pinterest.

 

 

 

LOVE this idea from Simply Kierste!  She offers FREE printables on her site here. Adorable!

 

 

And keep it simple with this fun idea found on Pinterest.

 

What are some things that are on your Summer Fun List?

 

 

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