Summer break is just around the corner or your kids may already be out of school. As a child you live for summer break but as a parent dealing with the “I’m bored” can be a challenge.
There are so many different ways to go about keeping your kids busy during the summer so that they do not spend all day in front of the tv. Having a set schedule where the day is planned in general terms (ie: 9am outside play, 10am special activity, 11am eat lunch, 12pm quiet time, etc.) is a good way. If you want a less structured day try having your child complete 20 minutes of reading, a chore and 40 minutes of outside play, etc. each day.
You could also make a boredom jar where your child can pull out an activity to do. Another idea is to create a summer bucket list and try to complete as many items on that list as possible; could be one each day or one a week.
Below are some ideas to help you get through summer break:
Field Trips/Day Trips
- Trip to a Zoo or Aquarium to learn about animals
- Trip to a Museum to learn about the arts, science or history
- Visit a Park to let off energy (visit early before it gets too hot)
- Go for a Swim
- Have a Picnic
- Visit a Fair or Amusement Park
- Go for a Hike
- Visit a Splash Pad/Fountains
- Take a trip to the Library
- Attend a Free Workshop from Lowe’s, Home Deport or Bass Pro
- Visit a local Historic Landmark
- Go Fishing
- See a Sporting Event
- Visit a Indoor Bounce or Trampoline place
- Pick berries at a U-pick Farm
Inside Activities
- Play a Board Game
- Put together a Puzzle
- Make homemade Ice Cream
- Read a Book
- Make a Blanket Fort and Camp Inside
- Create Glitter Slime
- Make a necklace from Recycled Paper Beads
- Paint a Painting
- Make homemade Playdough (Marshmallow Playdough or Scented)
- Create a Scrapbook or Journal about your summer
- Play Hide and Seek
- Cook lunch or dinner
- Dance party
- Assemble Legos
- Do a Science Activity
Outside Activities
- Create Small World Play (Farm, Dinosaur Swamp, Arctic, Ocean, Fantasy)
- Backyard Scavenger Hunt
- Wash Outside Toys or Bike
- Make Bubble Snakes
- Create a Sidewalk Chalk Painting with Water Guns
- Run through the Sprinkler
- Go for a Bike Ride
- Play a Sport (baseball, soccer, tennis, etc.)
- Assemble a Nature Wand
- Water Balloon or Water Gun fight
- Jump Rope
- Catch Bugs
- Take a Walk
- Make an Ice Cube Painting
- Plant a Garden
I hope you have a wonderful summer full of lots of memories!
What is your go to summer activity for your kids? Or a favorite activity from your childhood?
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Perfect timing, we’ve been filling our list of things to do over the summer and grabbed a few new ones from you!
Thank you Scott! I hope you have a wonderful summer!
Very impressive list Paris! During the summer months my girls goes to their childcare and each week is a new theme and different stuff for them to do. Today, the childcare is going on a field trip to a pizza parlor to learn how to make pizza.
That sounds like so much fun Lou! You will have to ask the girls to cook you pizza this weekend 🙂
Such perfect timing reading this! My daughter last day of school is tomorrow. Going to need all the activity ideas I can get!
I hope you have a wonderful, fun filled summer!
Great list! I love the idea of a boredom jar. I know my son would love doing that. When I was growing up, we use to play outside and cook (make) mud pies. It was fun. #PrettyPintastic
I have many found memories of cooking outside with mud, grass, flowers, etc.
This is a great list of ideas. We love having a bucket list of items to choose from on “boring” summer days and I’m going to use your list to provide some inspiration. Pinning this. Thanks!
Thank you Kirsten! I hope you have a fabulous, fun filled summer!
Thank you so much for linking up to Merry Monday this week! I am sharing your post today on my G+ Hope to see you next week for another great party! Have a great week!
Kim
Thank you so much Kim!
You had me at blanket fort! 🙂 What a great reference for anyone with children. Thanks for linking up at the Creative Inspiration Link Party.
Thank you Trish!
Wow! Great ideas. Pinned and tweeted. We appreciate you stopping by to party with us. We hope to see you, Monday at 7 pm. Happy Sunday! Lou Lou Girls
Thank you Kimberly!