School is ending for most of our kids, and now you may find yourself wondering how to entertain and stimulate them during those long summer days. Here are some ideas to help keep you sane with all the extra "commotion" around the house this summer!
Also check out the Exhausted Mom's Guide to Easy Summer Fun,
22 Summer Activities for Kids with Special Needs, and 36 Kid Friendly Summer Hacks
edsavi30 via Pixabay
Quality Time
The nice thing about summer is that you have time to re-kindle your relationships with them. During the school year, there may be so much going on that you forget to fit in that quality time. You're used to a busy cycle: school, work, extracurriculars, eat, sleep, repeat. Have you noticed how tall your child has gotten this past school year? Have you noticed any personality changes? Do they all of a sudden not like their old favorite things? Summer is a good time to chat with them over lunch or a walk. Here is a questionnaire to make it easier to
get to know each other with this printable.
Arianna Dabu, Macaroni KID Fort Myers - Fort Myers Beach
Cooking
You might not have had a family dinner in a long time - make it happen! If your schedule can't accommodate a family dinner every night, try for at least once a week. Let each child choose dinner options once a week and help you prepare it! It is fun to get your hands dirty together, and to teach them a valuable life lesson. Share some family recipes with them and explain how special they are. Again, it is all about the quality time.
Arianna Dabu, Macaroni KID Fort Myers - Fort Myers Beach
Reading
Are your kids at an age where they can read solo? Implement "quiet time" around the same time you would want "nap time." Create goals for each week, and if they meet those goals, they get a prize (think ice cream date, a toy from Five Below, etc). You can use this quiet time to take a power nap, just relax, have "me time," or get some tasks done while they are occupied. If they want a buddy to read to, try having them read to their pet or toys!
Arianna Dabu, Macaroni KID Fort Myers - Fort Myers Beach
Gardening
Even if you don't have space or time to manage a whole garden, you can try letting each child plant their own veggie or flower, then give them the responsibility of ensuring it is watered daily. Take pictures or have them keep a little journal about the growth process of their plant. Talk about what it takes for that plant to flourish and what happens if it is missing something.
Arianna Dabu, Macaroni KID Fort Myers - Fort Myers Beach
Beach/Pool Time
Be sure to check out these summer safety tips before heading to the beach or nearest pool. Does sand always get tracked into your car after a beach day? Try this: sprinkle baby powder on your feet before getting in the car. It absorbs the moisture in the wet sand, so the sand should brush right off!
Arianna Dabu, Macaroni KID Fort Myers - Fort Myers Beach
STEM Activities
Whether at home or at the park, there are lots of fun science/learning activities you can do with the kiddos. Catch bugs and check them out with a magnifying glass, crafts, building with lego blocks, so much more!
Arianna Dabu, Macaroni KID Fort Myers - Beach
Backyard Play without the Bugs
If you have a backyard to enjoy, but you don't enjoy those pesky mosquitoes, try making an all natural bug-repellent. All you need are the peels/rinds from citrusy fruits, like lemons, limes and oranges. Make some fresh homemade lemonade, or get the kids some oranges as a healthy and hydrating snack, but save the peels! Place the peels in an open bowl on your patio and enjoy the outdoors without the bug bites! Get those kiddos outside even if for only 30 minutes each day. It is a good way to be closer to nature, absorb some vitamin D, and let out all of your energy!
mooredaledaycamp via Pixabay
Make Frozen Treats To Keep Cool
Cut bananas in half and insert a popsicle stick (from the dollar store) in one end. Dip the banana in your favorite yogurt flavor and freeze them on a piece of wax paper for a couple of hours. Don't like bananas? Try chopping up strawberries and mixing them with yogurt in a small Dixie cup. Put a popsicle stick in the middle, and freeze! The end results are yogurt-covered fruit popsicles - healthy and fun to prepare!
Blackout_Photography via Pixabay
Glow Bowl
Save your used water bottles and recycle them! Fill them up with tap water and put a glow stick in each one. Turn out the lights and bowl! You can also have a glowstick dance party in the house or yard!
