With summer quickly approaching, I thought it would be a great time to share a few fun, easy and inexpensive summer activities to do with your kids. We all know by mid-June or so the kids will be bored and wanting something to do. Here is a quick list of some easy activities:
1. Make Popsicles.
Pick your favorite fruit juice, combination of juices or lemonade. Pour your favorite juice into a waked paper cup (something similar to a Dixie cup), place a wooden craft stick in the middle of the cup and freeze!
2. Walk, Run Or Bike Ride.
Take a daily walk, run or bike ride (short or long) with your kids around your neighborhood. Let your kids pick the path and switch it up every day. Check out local 5k events and kids fun runs in your community. Many events are inexpensive or free for kids.
3. Plant Flowers, Water Them And Watch Them Grow!
Let each child pick out a flower to plant. You can find seeds, pots and soil for very little money. Help your child plant the seeds; set daily reminders to water the flowers, and watch them grow!
4. Make A Lemonade And Cookie Stand.
Help your kids make some lemonade and bake your favorite cookie recipe. Encourage your kids to design a flyer advertising their lemonade and cookies. If you are comfortable, let them set up a lemonade stand outside. If not, take a picture of their work and advertise to your friends on Facebook or other social media. Offer delivery or pickup!
5. Shaving Cream Painting.
This is a fun, messy and great sensory activity for kids. Add food coloring to the shaving cream to make fun colors. Spread some shaving cream on a clean surface, put a few drops of food coloring in and let your kids draw some wonderful messy pictures. Also, a great way to work on letters, numbers and spelling. Always encourage kids to help with the clean up!
6. Make PlayDough Or Slime/Goo.
There are many recipes for homemade play-doh and slime all over the web. Here are two of my favorites
Play Doh: Ingredients: 1 cup of flour (any kind); 1/4 cup of salt’ 1/2 cup of water; 3 – 5 drops of food coloring. Directions: Mix together the flour and salt; Mix together 1/2 cup of warm water with a few drops of food coloring; Slowly pour the water into the flour mixture, stirring as you pour. Stir until all combined then knead with your hands. If it is too sticky add some more flour until it is not sticky at all. Cookie cutters, silverware, rolling pins are all fun play dough toys. Make sure to keep your play-dough in an airtight container when finished.
Slime: Ingredients: 2 large bowls; two 4oz bottles or one 8oz bottle of Elmer’s Glue; Food Coloring; 2 teaspoons of borax; warm water Directions: In one of the bowl combine 3/4 cup warm water with your glue and food coloring – mix well In the other bowl combine 2 teaspoons of borax with 1/2 cup of warm water – mix well. Pour the borax mixture into the glue mixture. Watch the chemical reaction, no stirring needed, just reach in and grab the goo!
7. Play A Game.
Pick out a board or card game and play with your kids. If you don’t have any games make one up (I Spy, Hide and Seek, etc). Another great idea is to create a scavenger hunt for your kids and then let them create one for you.
8. Work A 500-1000 Piece Puzzle.
Help your kids pick out an age appropriate puzzle and work together for a small amount of time each day until you complete it. Praise works very well to encourage kids to keep going!
9. Have A Dance Party!
Make a fun dance playlist with your kids; turn up the music and dance. Encourage your kids to dance and sing. Make sure to dance with them!
10. Let The Kids Plan/Make A Meal.
Let your little chefs plan and create a meal with as little assistance as possible. A modified version is to give your kids a list choices; let them pick one and go to work! This skill is a great way to encourage independence while teaching a life skill.
11. Give The Dog A Bath.
Kids love water and bubbles. What better way to combine them both and have a clean dog as a result! This one is great for hot days when you need a cool off. Go outside, grab the hose, dog shampoo and let the kids give the dog a bath.
12. Mail A Letter Or Picture To A Family Member Or Friend.
Encourage your kids to write a letter to a family member or friend. Maybe someone they do not see often. Maybe someone local that doesn’t get much mail. If they are too young to write, encourage them to draw or color a picture. Help them with addressing the envelope, stamping it and putting it in the mail box.
13. Family Movie Night (Or Day).
This one is great for those rainy summer days. Let your kids pick out their favorite movie, grab the blankets, pillows and some snacks and have a family movie day. Share your favorite childhood movies with your kids. Talk about why you liked the movie. Kids love hearing stories!
14. Build A Fort.
Kids absolutely love building forts. Help them find all the blankets, sheets, pillows they need. Encourage their creativity and don’t stress about the mess! Let them keep it up for the entire day. This is a great way to encourage imaginative play and watch their minds work.
15. Help A Family Member, Friend Or Neighbor.
Encourage your kids think about some nice things to do for a family member, friend or neighbor without receiving anything in return. Another option is to volunteer for a local organization and help out others in your community.
Share your favorite summer activities below.