Gooey goodness by Ken Bosma via Flick Creative Commons
When school lets out, I always have high hopes and a huge bucket list for the summer. The next thing I know, it's the end of June and I haven't gotten in nearly as many cool things as I'd hoped.
Sound familiar? If so, that just means it's time to re-assess our game plans, my friends!
As you re-evaluate the rest of your summer bucket list, remember:
Kids want their parents' attention.
(It's that simple, and that hard.)
Take a moment to honestly review your list. Cross off events you've missed, adventures that are too pricey, and anything else that you feel like you SHOULD do, but don't really WANT to do. Circle simple items that focus on giving your child your full attention.
Below are 10 simple, everyday adventures shared from my family's bucket list:
1. Eat Popsicles IN the swimming pool. Make a scorching hot afternoon memorable. Suggest the kids fill the kiddie pool, then surprise them by coming out with YOUR suit on as well. Pass out Popsicles (or ice cream) and plop your backsides in the pool together. The best part? No clean-up! Below are a few must-try homemade Popsicle recipes:
- Firecracker Rocket Pops {With fresh fruit}
- 7 Must-Try ZOKU Pops
- Jello Pudding Pops
- Mojito Popsicles {Moms ONLY}
2. Spend a day at the beach. Nothing says summer like a lazy afternoon on the beach. If you plan on hitting the sand this summer, check out these 5 Tips for an Unforgettable Day at the Beach. Top parenting tips:
- Bringing a variety of items in your beach tote, including plastic recyclables. This allows your child to share “toys” with other children worry-free. {Read Additional Tips}
- Easily remove sand from your hands by "washing" them with baby powder.
3. Become acquainted with three local birds. Children inherently love nature; introduce them to a few feathery friends. Knowing the names of a few birds will make any outdoor adventure more inviting. I highly recommend Stan Tekiela's state bird books. They have nice, large photos; are simple; and only showcase local birds. The books are also small and very durable for little birders. The best part? The books are organized by color so your child can do their own bird identification.
4. Go on an "Early Bird" one-on-one date. Get up at the crack of dawn and take your little one on an early morning adventure. This works best if you've pre-packed the car the night before. I often leave my daughter in her PJs and we change on the road if necessary. Something as simple as a trip to Starbucks or a sunrise walk can leave a lasting impression.
5. Let him be a "Night Owl." If your little one just can't function in the morning, consider a special late-night adventure instead. Making a trip to the ice-cream stand in PJs or taking a flashlight walk both become magical post-bedtime. Keep the following phrase in your pocket, "We're welcome to be out late like this as long as we don't have any problems."
6. Have a themed Rainy Day Adventure on hand. Create a couple of Pinterest boards to stockpile ideas. Storing ideas is one task. Executing projects is another.
Not coordinated enough to actually have all the random pipe cleaners, glitter, googley eyes, and fresh glue sticks on hand when the clouds hit? You're not alone.
Stockpile a couple of Kiwi Crates in your closet for an emergency. You can sign up for an ongoing subscription, but you can also handpick single crates. You'll find themes that include: pirates, bugs, music, robots, fairies, space, and more. Green Box = Sanity. Your children will have a blast, but it will also buy YOU a few minutes of quiet time.
7. Get creative with the campfire 'mallows. This is on my personal must-do list. I can't "officially" recommend it, because I haven't tried it yet, but OH MY. Pop a Mini-Rolo into your marshmallow before roasting (see photo instructions). Simple & brilliant. Want to step it up a notch? Try a Fruit and S'more Cone!
8. Encourage your little engineer. Playing with PVC pipe has been on my summer to-do list forever. Pop on over to Pinterest where you'll find 101 creative things you can make out of PVC (sprinklers, kid's car washes, and even reading tepees). What I really want to do, though, is THIS. I want to give my girls tools to PVC pipe. The girls won't be digging up the yard, but I know PVC in our sandbox will be a hit this year!
9. Catch frogs. Grab a net, some puddle jumpers, and get hopping.
10. Bring the Farmer's Market home. The Farmer's Market can be a great "Early Bird" date. This weekly event is an untapped educational opportunity! What a great way to teach your kids about money. Consider giving your child a set amount of cash and letting them decide what to purchase. Walk them through transactions to practice adding and subtracting. Here are 5 fun things you can do with your child AT the Farmer's Market. Then below are 6 kid-friendly recipes for when you get HOME:
- Strawberry Mango Salsa {3,000+ Repins}
- Baked Corn {Can't wait to try this}
- Secret Fruit Salad {378,000+ Repins!}
- Strawberries & Cream Popsicles {Dairy Free}
- Freezer Jam {This is a personal favorite}
- Crispy Baked Parmesan Green Bean Fries {247,000 Repins}
If your kids love going to the Farmer's Market as much as mine do, consider picking up a Farmer's Market Kiwi Crate. Your little ones will get to make colorful stuffed fruits and vegetables, design your own market apron with fabric crayons & stencils, and count play money. It's a perfect way to reinforce the math and social skills they practice out on the town at the real Farmer's Market with you.
These are my top 10 must-do items for summer. What's on your list? Let's chat in the comments below!
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Image Credits:
Sweet Summer Rainbow Fruit Salad by D. Sharon Pruitt via Flick Creative Commons
Smoothie Blender by Raise a Boy
Jam, Salsa, and Popsicle images by Peanut Blossom
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. This is a “sponsored post.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via a cash payment, gift, or something else of value to write it. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
