Got the Summertime Scaries? 5 Entertaining Activities to Keep your Kids Busy All Summer

We are officially well into summer vacation! And while your children may be cheering loudly over their break from school, let’s be honest: parents are definitely not cheering in the same way at this point. Summertime is a great time to relax and enjoy the warm weather. But for parents, it can also be a challenging time to keep young kids occupied and entertained. 

Before the summer, your kids had planned activities, after-school extracurriculars, and homework to keep them busy. Now? They have a pretty open schedule that looks daunting after summer camps end, or they spend a lot of time at home. Parents, don’t fret over the summertime scaries. If you're looking for some fun activities to keep your kids busy this summer, check out these five easy ideas:

Idea #1: Create a scavenger hunt

Perfect for any little Indiana Jones enthusiast, creating a scavenger hunt is an excellent activity for kids of all ages and can be easily tailored to their interests and abilities. Give them a list of items to find around the house or neighborhood, and let them loose! If you want to make the scavenger hunt a more immersive experience, partner with other fellow parents in your neighborhoods to create a fun activity for all of your kids! Kids can go from house to house in search of each item, clues and all!

Idea #2: Have a picnic 

Summertime is the best opportunity to soak up the sun and the fresh air! It’s also the best opportunity for a picnic. Set up a buffet on your kitchen table and have your kids pack up their own snacks and drinks! Then take them out to the park for a picnic lunch. Let the kids run around and play while you enjoy some quality time outdoors. For all our tips on hosting the ultimate kid’s picnic, check out our blog post on picnic tips here. 

Idea #3: Have fun in the kitchen!

Use these next three months as an opportunity to bond with your children in the kitchen! Our favorite summertime treat? Homemade ice cream. Making homemade ice cream is a delicious activity that the whole family can enjoy. Just mix together some milk, sugar, and your favorite flavorings, and freeze in an ice cream maker or by hand. You can follow this easy recipe!

Idea #4: Have a pool day

Pool days have something for everyone. We recommend spending a few days at a local pool or waterpark. Take advantage of the warm weather and let the kids cool off with a trip to the pool! Not only will they have a blast playing in the water and soaking up the sun, but you’ll have an opportunity to relax poolside with a good book.

Pro Pool Day Tip: Make sure to stack the snacks and stay hydrated! Kids won’t enjoy their time at the pool if their stomachs are grumbling and their thirsty from the hot sun. For easy and delicious snacks, try cut fruit packaged in Tupperware or our healthy and refreshing yogurt bark shared in our 4th of July blog post. 

Idea #5: Stick to the classics

I’m sure we’ve all been guilty of using the phrase, “When I was a kid…”, but now take summer as your opportunity to let your kids experience just what you did as a kid! What does that mean? Well, for starters, stick to the classics! Set up a lemonade stand. This classic summertime activity is always a hit with kids. Set up a stand in your front yard and watch as the customers (and profits!) start rolling in. Your kids will love the preparation of lemonade and the anticipation of potential customers. 

Another fun idea is setting up a good-ole-fashioned sprinkler. These are so inexpensive to purchase from any general store and can be set up in mere minutes. Especially if you may not have access to a pool, this idea is great to help your kids cool off in the summer and enjoy running around the front yard. 

Lastly, introduce your kids to old movies, books, and games you once enjoyed. Whether it’s a classic movie like Wizards of Oz, a game like Candyland or charades, or books like Nancy Drew or the Hardy Boys, your kids will love connecting with their parents and your own childhood interests.

Summertime Scaries - Be gone! 

We hope these five ideas have helped dissipate some of your summertime fears. While the increase of time with unplanned activities may seem daunting, we hope these five ideas have helped spark inspiration on how to keep your kids entertained all summer long! For more summertime fun ideas, check out our blog or our social media.