Schools out, the days are getting longer, and your kids are full of energy – what’s a mom to do? Before the kids start the “I’m bored” chant and you start counting down the days for school to start again, take some time to plan some activities that everyone will enjoy. Summer is the perfect time to head outdoors and there are plenty of things to do that will be fun for the whole family. Here’s a look at the top four summer activities to get you started.
Outdoor Movie Night
Don’t have a drive-in theater near you? That doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy a movie under the stars. Take your TV outside, or better yet, rent a projector and screen and set up an outdoor theater in your own backyard. Pull out the lawn chairs or throw a blanket on the ground and encourage your kids to grab their pillows. Don’t forget to pop some popcorn, pull out some candy, and pour the drinks before the movie starts.
Inflatables
Who doesn’t love to slide, bounce, jump and have lots of fun? You can do all this and more by setting up one or more inflatables in your backyard. Feel free to invite some friends over and double the fun. Inflatables are perfect for kids of all ages because most children, especially those of the younger demographic, have limited attention spans that don’t fare well with long breaks in party activities. Inflatables offer constant entertainment from start to finish.
Nature Hike
Walking is one of the best ways to help your kids burn off some energy and stay healthy. Don’t just go for a walk. Instead, plan a nature hike for the whole family. Most communities have multiple walking trails. Be sure to check the trail out before taking the family. Find out how long the trail is and what the terrain is like to make sure that every member of the family can participate comfortably. Bring water, snacks, and sunscreen. Make your hike extra fun by turning it into a scavenger hunt or buy disposable cameras and let your kids take lots of pictures.
Mini Staycation
You don’t have to plan a lavish vacation to spend some quality time with the family. In fact, many families are choosing to skip the standard vacation and plan a staycation (a vacation at home) instead. Even if you’re already taking a vacation, however, you can still plan a mini staycation with the family. Start by leaving all the electronics and mobile devices in the house. Then, pitch a tent in the backyard and plan several outdoor games. Light the fire pit and make s’mores, roast hot dogs, tell kid-friendly camp stories and have lots of fun.
Having fun with the whole family over the summer doesn’t need to take a lot of time to plan or cost a lot of money. All you need is a little creativity and commitment to set some time aside to spend with your family.
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