School is almost out for the summer and that means your kids will be out of school and looking for ways to have fun. We are about to embark on the hardest part of the year for working parents. At this stage you have probably booked them in to one or two summer camps (which cost a small fortune these days) because you want to make sure they don’t spend too much time on screens or lying in ‘til noon. Maybe you work from home full time, or you work on a hybrid schedule, maybe someone else will be minding your kids for the summer, one thing is for sure, you will want to make some lasting memories with your kids. Afterall we only thirteen or fourteen summers before we “aren’t cool” and they won’t want to hang out with us. I have put together a list of activities to keep them busy over the summer without breaking the bank. Here are some ideas for summer activities that are fun, educational, and creative:
1. Plant Fruit and Vegetables
One of the best ways to get outside and enjoy the summer weather is to grow something. You can plant fruit and vegetables in containers, pots, or on a small patch of land. Enjoy letting them get messy, take a step back and let them lead you. Teaching our kids about nature, science, gardening, and healthy eating while making memories together is a bonus! Some easy crops to grow are courgettes, beans, tomatoes, salad leaves and strawberries.
2. Bake a sweet treat
Why not let them help out in the kitchen? Cooking doesn’t have to be an isolating activity that we do just for the purpose of eating. We can involve our kids in all our day-to-day cooking activities and give them the foundation to be able to cook for themselves. But this summer why not bake something special and help develop math, science and art while having fun. You can choose from a variety of recipes, such as banana muffins, cupcakes, or cookies.
3. Make Slime
Yes, I know, I’ve avoided it at all costs too! But the sensory enjoyment that slime allows is worth it. It hasn’t become a popular craze among our kids for no reason; its gooey, stretchy, colourful and fun to play with. You can make your own slime at home with some simple ingredients, such as cornflour and coconut mil. You can add glitter, food colouring or beads to make it more interesting. Just be sure to cover the surface you’re working on and make sure it doesn’t end up in those little mouths.
4. Make a Fairy Door
If your kids love fantasy and magic, they will enjoy making a fairy door for their bedroom or the garden. A fairy door is a small door that can be attached to a tree, fence or skirting board, allowing the fairies to come and go as they please. You can make your own door with cardboard, paint, PVA glue and some embellishments. Another idea is to leave some gifts or notes for the fairies.
5. Make Homemade Ice Lollies
This was on of my favourite things to do when I was a kid, honestly, nothing beats a refreshing ice lolly on a hot summer day. Making them yourself makes them even better. All you need are some moulds, sticks and your favourite ingredients. You can use whole fruit, purees, juices, or yogurt to make healthy and tasty ice lollies. Together you and your kids should experiment with different flavour combinations – I would love to hear what you discovered!
Above are some summer activities to do with your kids that you can do at home. Remember, the most important thing is to have fun, be together and make memories. What are some of your favourite summer activities from when you were a kid? Let me know in the comments below.
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