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Summer is just a few short weeks away, and for families who spend it together, it is easy to fall into a routine of boredom. Without relying on movies or video games, you can turn your family’s summer into a fun and memorable one. Turn off the TV and use these ideas to bring your family together this summer.

1) At-home Camp Out

Whether you head to your back yard or your living room, you can spend a night together in sleeping bags (and tents), telling stories and eating s’mores. Bring plenty of flashlights and enjoy the camping experience.

2) Lemonade Stand

Kids love to sell lemonade. Work together to create fantastic signs and set up a stand in your front yard. A lemonade stand teaches the basics of running a business. You can also run a stand for charity. Work together and decide what cause your family would like to support.

3) Tie Dye

Summer is a great time for tie-dyeing. This sometimes-messy activity can be taken outdoors and kids can unleash their creative inner-hippies. Tie-dye t-shirts, bandanas, or anything other clothing items you have around the house. This is an especially great idea if your family has summer plans to visit a theme park, as these bright and colorful outfits make kids easy to spot in a crowd.

4) Craft camp

Work with a few friends and come up with a weekly rotating craft camp. Every family can take a turn hosting other kids and leading an activity. It gives children valuable social time with friends, and provides a constructive activity for an hour or so each week.

5) Go on a hike

Head to your nearest hiking trail, pack a lunch, and spend a day in nature. You can create a fun scavenger hunt, or just hike and look for birds, flowers, and other wildlife. Be sure to pack lots of water, snacks, sunscreen, and bug spray for your day outdoors.

6) Volunteer

Summer is a great time to teach the value of service. As a family, you can volunteer at any number of organizations. One great thing to do is a neighborhood clean up. Go out together with trash bags and pick up any garbage that has accumulated around your neighborhood.

7) Plant a garden

Whether you plant flowers or food, a garden is a great way to spend time together outdoors. Even apartment dwellers can grow tomatoes and herbs in pots on their porch. Give each child responsibility for one area or one plant. Teach them how to identify various weeds, and consider composting your kitchen scraps to teach children about the value of reusing materials to help the earth.

8) Beach day

If you live near water, a great activity is to have a beach day. Pack your toys and plenty of sunscreen before you head out. Bring lots of refreshments and enjoy time in the water and playing in the sand. Work together to build a giant sand castle or make play a game of Pictionary, drawing in the sand.

9) Summer Reading

Challenge your kids to read a certain number of books over the summer. Many libraries and local bookstores offer summer reading programs. When completed, children can earn a certificate to buy more books or you can offer them a prize for their hard work.

10) Staycation

Take some time off work and plan a staycation. Explore all of the great things your area has to offer without the expense of travel and a hotel. Visit museums, zoos, and other local attractions. This supports local economy and might expose you to things you might not otherwise do.

Photo by Joon Han

Tagged as: children, entertainment, garden, home, summer, travel, volunteering

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