What do you think of when you hear the word “summer”? Do you imagine bright sunshine streaming through the air, baseball games, books read by the poolside, road trips, beach vacations, and warm nights camping in your favorite place? Or maybe you can perfectly imagine the feeling of enjoying a popsicle or homemade lemonade. Regardless of what comes to mind, it’s likely that many of the things spark excitement, and if so, you’re not alone! We’re already counting down the hours until you can experience warm weather and sunshine for months at a time. Luckily, the season isn’t too far around the corner, which means we all get to enjoy driving with the windows down and days lounging in the sun sooner than we might think!
One of the best ways to get excited about the summertime ahead is to plan some exciting activities for you and your family. Writing down a communal bucket list to hang in the kitchen or living room is also a perfect way to bond with family! Are you already longing for longer days and the heat of the sun and thinking of how to enjoy the season? Here are five of our favorite summer plans to consider making with your kids. Because at the end of the day, that’s what summer is all about: making memories with your favorite people.
Have a Picnic at a Local Park
If you’re unsure of how to spend a day during the summer, an afternoon spent at the park is an easy bet. From walking through a dog park to playing on equipment, there’s an endless number of summer activities to enjoy at your neighborhood park. Our personal favorite park activity? Enjoying a delicious picnic in the sunshine!
Pack up some of you and your little ones’ favorite snacks for an exciting time spent lounging on the grass. Whether you pack small watermelon, fruit snacks, or something a little more hearty like cheese and meat or sandwiches, a picnic is a great way to spend quality time with your kids away from the hustle of everyday life, and better yet, away from technology. Can’t decide what to make? Check out this article with 60 kid-friendly picnic food ideas!
Visit the Beach… In Your Backyard!
Kids absolutely love being able to be creative, and flexing those muscles can even help them develop other important skills as they mature into adults! One fun way you can consider playing make-believe is to create your very own beach in the backyard with kiddie pools, towels, and sand from the store. This is an especially great idea if you don’t live near a beach or can’t afford to take a trip to one.
Not only can you decorate the backyard, but you could also ask for help from your kiddos so that they join in on the fun! Ask them what their favorite beach games are, go to the store to buy summer-themed decor and toys, and have them help you set up the sand and water in the kiddie pools. The more they work with you to develop the theme, the realer the entire situation will feel for them. And remember, once everything is set up, don’t forget to take part in the fun, too! On top of giving your kids a fun time to explore the world around them, this can also be the perfect chance to connect with them and form meaningful memories.
Make a Lemonade Stand
What screams “summer” more than a lemonade stand? From fostering their creativity to teaching them about hardwork and earning money, helping them create a lemonade stand and setting it up on the street is a summer activity that is not only fun but improves their skills. As you help them set it up, remember to let them make it their own. Remember, the more handmade it looks, the better. Collect old cardboard boxes, break them into the pieces you need, and draw pictures all over them.
At the end of the day, it’s not about how many sales you make or how great the stand looks; it’s about how much you enjoy the act of setting up and running it. Years down the road, you’re going to remember the fun you had together. Looking for great ideas to incorporate into the stand? Check out this article!
Cozy Up for a Movie Night
There’s nothing quite like cuddling up with your little ones and watching a new movie. You could even watch one of your favorites from when you were a kid! Whether you watch a movie on the couch, curled up in a blanket, or set up a projector outside with snacks, a movie night is great for all ages and interests.
If you aren’t sure what to watch, the following are some of our favorite movies for the whole family:
- Mary Poppins
- Toy Story
- Coco
- ET
- My Neighbor Totoro
- The Little Mermaid
- Star Wars
- Peter Pan
- Little Women
- Parent Trap
- Jungle Book
- Wizard of Oz
- The Muppet Movie
Need even more ideas? Here are 50 more family movies that may suit your fancy!
Play Water Games
It can get HOT in the summer, so consider playing water games for a fun cool-off session! Not only are these games fun, but there are also limited possibilities. From water balloons to running through the sprinklers, you can decide what to play with your kids based on your desired effort levels and price range. You could even make your very own “water gun” by cutting a hole in a water bottle and squeezing it!
A few of our other favorite water game ideas include making frozen paint cubes, setting up a homemade “Kiddie Car Wash,” or splurging on an inflatable water slide that you can use throughout the entire summer! Regardless of which water activity you choose, make sure it’s interactive. Encourage your kids to bring their favorite Sidekix™ along for the games, brainstorm their own ideas, and play make believe.
The summer not only brings along heat and sunshine but also an opportunity to spend amazing quality time with your kids! With these five ideas, you’ll have more than enough to keep you and your favorite people busy and happy throughout the entire season.
To stay up to date on Sidekix™ news and learn more essential tips and tricks, visit us at mysidekix.com.
Image link: https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/happy-children-playing-on-beach-day-407117161