summer family fun
Summer is fast approaching and I am SO excited! I have started to think about all the adventures we are going to have as a family this summer. My husband and I have spent a lot of time talking about the best things we can do for our children. One thing we both feel is vitally important is creating lasting family memories. Our children are going to remember the things we do together more than the things we buy them, so we want to create a summer full of memories.
We have created a list of ideas that we can use throughout the summer. Some cost money and some are completely free. Some need more advanced planning and others we can pick up and do at any time. Here are a few things that have occurred to us.
1. Breakfast in the park: We take our camp stove and go to a nearby park and cook breakfast. It doesn’t have to be complicated, it’s just fun to be outside and let the kids play.
2. Go Rock Hounding – There are great resources online for finding places to go rock hounding.
3. Go camping – If you don’t already have the gear, be sure to check your local resources for cheap or free gear rentals. Often universities have good programs, it’s worth checking out.
4. Family Water Fight: Go to a park or in your own backyard. I like to fill multiple buckets to allow for easy reloading of the gun.
5. Family Hike: Don’t forget city resources or national parks, or just find a local park or trail.
6. S’mores – one of my personal favorites. Find a suitable site where you can build a fire or you can bring a camping stove, just be sure to follow all fire rules and guidelines.
7. Picnic – My kids love picnics! They don’t have to be complicated, but children love any excuse to be outdoors. In your backyard or at a park, anything new is fun.
8. Scavenger Hunt – This can be nature oriented or try to find animals, things in stores, or other miscellaneous items depending on the age of family members.
9. Indoor fort – a great free and spontaneous activity. All you need are chairs and blankets.
10. Photography – Get out there and take fun photos of your kids or even let them take a turn with the camera and see what comes out.
11. Model Kits – This one costs some money but can be a great family activity. Depending on the ages of the children, each can build their own or you can help.
12. Stop Motion Videos – We’ve done this with toy cars, Legos, or even clay figures.
Our summer vacation is about 3 months long, so with 12 activities we could do one a week and be good to go. We are excited to have a summer full of memories. My biggest tip is to create a list of your own that you can get ideas from when you’re ready for an adventure. Pick a big one or two that you’ll plan ahead for the summer, and then have other ideas ready to go. You can sit down at the beginning of each week and plan what adventures you are going to have. If you don’t plan a little ahead, summer will fly by and you’ll miss out on some great fun. This is to have a great summer filled with lasting memories.