Summer Activities

The weather has been getting warmer and warmer as the summer season begins, and that is also a signal for us that it is almost time for hubby to PCS again for a month.  Its part of the Army life, but its never easy.  We're trying to look at it as an opportunity for me to have some really special one on one (or two) time with the kids.

We are busy lately trying to plan some fun activities to choose from and keep us busy while hubby is away. 

What kinds of things do you do in these warmer months?  Do you have any fond memories as a child of things you did in the summer?

Here's the list so far.  We probably wont get to them all, but that's okay because we're the type that like to have options!  I'll add to it as I get more ideas, so be sure to check back too! :)

1. Playdates with other kids (and moms).  I'm hoping that this will help us to feel a little less isolated, and give the kids a little freedom to play with their peers and use their imagination.
2. Run through the sprinkler
3. Play in the kiddie pool out back
4. Go to the local spray park
5. Go to the playground
6. Go to McDonalds (I know, I know, but its air conditioned!)
7. Have a picnic dinner out at the wildlife refuge
8. Have a themed day (like 50's diner day where we all dress up, eat cheeseburgers & milkshakes & dance to 50's tunes)
9. Have girly makeover nights (Anna would love this)
10. Go to a u-pick farm and pick fresh fruit
11. Go for a drive and photograph some of the livestock at local farms (from the fence) just for fun
12. Cooking and baking together (i got three new books at the thrift store that are great for this)
13. Make shaved ice (with fruit juice) - yummmmm
14. Paint, color, draw....
15. Make craft projects (ideas for toddlers???)
16. Make a bird feeder
17. Soapy water in a big rubbermaid bin with lots of cups, pots and pans, etc.
18. Start a compost pile (Anna would love helping with this)
19. Sidewalk chalk on our back porch
20. Painting with water on the concrete
21. Blow Bubbles
22. Work in the yard/garden together
23. Watch movies together (yay netflix)
24. Make some Christmas presents together
25. Make smores and camp in the living room
26. Conduct a puppet show with/for the kids
27. Read a LOT
28. Make home-made ice cream
29. Go to one of the free summer movies at the theater (cartoony)
30. Make homemade pizza with friends
31. Sensory activities (refer to ideas in The Out of Sync Child Has Fun)
32. Go to the dollar store together with $5 each
33. Play with playdough
34. Play with musical instruments.  See what we can turn into musical instruments from around the house
35. Play in the mud.  Make a big mess of mud in a plastic tub outside with another tub of fresh water - and give them strainers, cups, etc.  Dont forget the camera for this one ;)
36. Make slime

*I don't want to forget to video tape so hubby can see when he gets home!

Comments

[Crystal]

Great list. I hope you get to all of it. we have lots of stuff planed this summer too. I will have our list on my blog this week.

[Kathi D]

I am reading The Blue Tarp Bible (I know, weird) and here's an idea. You can make "the poor man's slip n slide" by putting down a blue tarp and running the hose over it just like the real thing. Sounds fun!

[ellen kelley]

Oh, those all sound like such fun things for your little ones. I may have to make myself some slime too.
How about printing on paper using cut up potatoes, apples, or even a cabbage. Cabbages have such beautiful patterns.
Mixing corn starch and water together is fun too. Experiment with the proportions of water to corn starch, you don't want it to be to saturated. It's fascinating to play with and is a good kitchen activity. Little ones also love to do "laundry". All you need is a big bucket of water, some rags, kitchen towels whatever, a rigged clothesline in easy reach and some clothes pins.
Take care and may the healing continue for all.
Best, e.

[Danielle]

Mine love to make cards and posters for daddy when he goes away and then place them around the house the night/day before daddy comes home and sends daddy on a scavenger hunt to find all the pictures they made for him. We also like to do "camp outs" in the backyard.
Praying for continual healing for you guys!
~Danielle :)

[Juli]

I like to have Megan help me make home made playdough. Home made is also good b/c you don't have to worry about them eating the playdough. A great website to find a recipe and some other ideas is (www.familyeducation.com). It has ideas for several different age groups.

[Natalie]

my! Some of those brought back lots of memories! We used to do a lot of hikes & walks in the woods to collect "nature treasures" to make pictures. We also did a lot of outdoor papier mache projects. Too messy in the house. What about making felt balls outside with lots of soapy water? Paper airplane contest? Origami? Check out books in the library? Skipping contest? Board game marathon? Outdoor scavenger hunt? Picture scavenger hunt? Make up fancy dances and lipsynch?

[Dana]

Just your LIST pooped me out. I guess I'm older than all of your readers put together. except for KathiD.

The main thing I want to do this summer is to remember to count each moment as a blessing because no moment is guaranteed. It's not how much you do that counts but rather how much of yourself you find while you're doing it.

[Mrs Holter-Hovind]

Have you tried the Crafty Crow Blog for craft ideas? She is a wonderful resource who links to all over blogland with the craft of the day for kids... just check out her archives! Now...where is the link...umm

http://belladia.typepad.com/crafty_crow/

Hope that inspires you:)
Thanks for your great list. Gill.