Kid-Friendly Summer Activity Ideas

It is normal to feel overwhelmed during the warmer summer months, especially considering how hard things are amid a global pandemic. When the kids are out of school, time seems to slow down, and creativity for fun, exciting projects to keep the littles busy dwindles. If you are struggling to come up with ideas to fill your summer days, you have come to the right place. Here are a few great, kid-friendly activities that will make for a wonderful summer break.

1. Play Outside

No matter what the age of your children, playing outside is a great way to pass the time. You can entertain your little ones with sidewalk chalk, obstacle courses or making a trip to your local park. Take advantage of the beautiful weather by planning a daily walk and enjoying a picnic. Use this time to appreciate birdwatching and gardening with your family, interests that are easily overlooked. You can take a huge step to ensure a fun-filled summer for both you and your kids by looking into the cost of a pool. This may seem like a drastic step, but it is undoubtedly one that will be loved by all parties.

2. Research Crafts

You can search Pinterest for kids crafts that are sure to be a hit with any age. Summer is also a great time to let your children have creative freedom. So, be sure to ask your littles if they have any ideas for an enjoyable project. You can order caterpillars from Insect Lore, along with a habitat and instructions to care for these insects as they cocoon and turn into butterflies. This is a fascinating way to keep your young ones engaged and teach them a thing or two about metamorphosis.

3. Read

While your kids may be excited to take a few months off from math and history, it is still essential for them to keep up with their reading skills. Put together a few reading incentive charts to ensure that your little ones stay motivated to improve their reading. Businesses like Half Priced Books are great resources to buy lightly used reading material at affordable prices.

4. Bake

It is always fun to put on the baker's cap, break out the spices and throw together a dessert with your babies. While you may have a big mess to clean up, a baking bucket list could be at the top of your family's list of favorite summer memories. The internet is a fabulous source to find delicious homemade recipes for muffins, bread and everything in between.

5. Go on Vacation

There are plenty of options for a vacation that will keep social distancing requirements in mind. As long as you are avoiding large crowds and busy summer hot spots, you can enjoy time away from home while making you and your family's health a priority. Renting a cabin near a lake or going on a road trip are great ways to relax and take a break from everything life has thrown at you in the past couple of months. You may also consider taking a few days off of work to stay home and be present with your loved ones. You don't always need an extravagant getaway to enjoy your summer.

Making sure your children are distracted while they are off of school in no mean feat, especially if you want to keep your sanity intact. It is easy to get down in the dumps and feel swamped as a parent during the summer. You are not alone in wanting to put together a plan that will work well for both you and your kids. The good news is, with the tips above, you don't have to trade in your mental health for a full schedule. There is nothing better than going to sleep at night knowing your little ones had a blast and you enjoyed your time together just as much!