As we’re going into the summer months, where we have young kids to entertain on hot days, I’m sure we’re all looking for activities to fill our days. My goal is to get outside as much as possible this summer. That means a lot of our activity list for the summer is outdoor activities. That being said, as I’m writing this we just got back from a 5 mile bike ride in 90° weather, so indoor activities are sounding real nice right now. So basically, this list will definitely be a combination of a little of both!
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Splash pads and slip n slides:
There are so many splash pad options for you online, or in stores such as Walmart or Target. I like splash pads for younger kids and toddlers because they can just walk right in to water spraying around. They can splash and have fun without too much complication which makes it perfect for toddlers. But If you have a hose and don’t want to go out and buy something, you can also lay down a tarp, throw some dish soap on it, and make a homemade slip n slide! This is especially good for older kids that can really run and slide down the tarp.
Camping:
I’ve only been camping a handful of times in my life, so camping with a baby for the first time was really intimidating! I was lucky my husband was knowledgeable and experienced about all sorts of outdoor things, and it really was a blast. It’s our new goal for the summer to see how many fun family camping trips we can fit in.
Hiking:
Hiking spots are relatively easy to find through a quick Google or Pinterest search, so this is a great one to get you out and moving. Summer is the perfect time to be outside and check out things like national and state parks that may be closed in the winter. It also helps nurture a love for fitness and nature in your children.
Swimming:
Swimming is an incredibly important skill for kids to learn, and summer is the perfect opportunity for you to help your kids practice it. There are tons of swimming lessons you can look into. Swim schools are a ton of fun, but if you look into your town recreation, they’ll often have summer swim classes for much cheaper. These classes can run from birth (with a parent) through competitive swim teams for older kids. If you have a younger baby a lot of swim schools will also offer free parent and me swim lessons for babies under 6 months or a year, depending on the school. So make sure to look around at abunch of different swim lessons to see which ones the best option for you instead of going with the first ones that pop up!
Water table activities:
Another fun outdoor water activity is playing with water tables! You can get just a water table, or a water and sand table and make it like the beach in your backyard. This is great because it gives your kid a sort of structured outdoor activity that doesn’t involve them running all over the place. Because of this, it’s fantastic for days that you don’t feel like chasing them around.
Zoos and Aquariums:
This option can get pretty pricey depending on where you live, but some places have great deals if you keep your eye out for them. Kids of all ages love looking at animals, which makes these places so fun to visit as a family. An aquarium is especially good on super hot days where playing outside may not be the best option. Zoos are great for the days that are a little cooler and you’re looking to get outside.
Bike rides:
Bike rides in nice weather can be a great way to enjoy some sunshine while getting exercise as a family. There’s a whole bunch of ways you can include your kids in this activity from toddler seats on your bike, to tandem bike attachments, to trailers being pulled by your bike. Or if they’re older let them ride their own bikes next to you!
Local parks:
This one might seem like a no brainer but summer is a great time to head out to some local parks. My one major tip for this one is to not fall into the habit of only going to the ones right next to your house. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve googled “coolest parks near me”. And let me tell you, I’ve found some cool ones! Not only will your kids enjoy getting out and playing at a variety of parks, but you will too. Switching up where you go will help break down the monotony of full-time parenting. Plus, if you try out tons of new parks you might even find one that has things for you to do as well!
Road trip:
Going on a road trip is definitely not an easy summer activity. That being said, if done right, it can be a blast! You’ll need flexibility in whatever work schedule you may have, and you’ll need to properly prepare, but you’ll create an adventure that your whole family will treasure. With toddlers, you’ll have to be sure to plan entertaining stops where they can enjoy themselves, plus you’ll need to pack a lot of toys. I’ve found that making sure you have a variety of entertainment is the best way to make the drive as painless as possible.
Garden:
If there’s one thing my son loves, it’s sitting in the dirt. I could actually just let him cover himself in dirt and he would be entertained for at least an hour. For this reason, we’ve started a garden! It’s such a fun and valuable activity for us. He gets to play in dirt and learn about taking care of something and watching it grow. We also started growing our own berry plants to help with his constant demand of berries, so really it’s a money saver too.
Create your own summer lesson plan:
Whether or not you plan on sending your child to preschool, summer is a great time to develop a love for learning. You can work on whatever it is you would like to teach them (colors, numbers, letters, emotions, etc) in a way that prepares them to begin more structured learning as they grow.
If you’re spending lots of time outside don’t forget some sunscreen! Our personal favorite is Earth Mama Organics sunscreen if you’re looking for good, natural, baby mineral sunscreen.