Sharing summer activities from your childhood

By Stacie Gaetz

It’s mid-August and this might be the time you are running out of ideas of what to do with the kids during these long summer days.

The weeks leading up to back-to-school can be filled with siblings who are sick of each other and parents who are tired of balancing work and kids all day every day.

Add to that the fact that your family vacation and/or camps may have passed and the initial excitement of summer being new has long worn off.

Keeping your kiddos entertained and avoiding hearing “Mom! I’m bored!” 1000 times a day doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, you need look no further than the activities that kept you outdoors until the streetlights came on during your youth.

Lemonade Stand

Remember the satisfaction of building your own lemonade stand out of the extra wood beside your house? What about squeezing lemon after lemon in your kitchen and then hawking your refreshing lemonade to all of your neighbors as they walk or drive by?

This simple activity allows your kids to socialize with others their age and teaches countless skills such as the value of hard work, entrepreneurship, problem solving, money management, salesmanship and much more.

Scavenger Hunt

A scavenger hunt is an activity that you may have fond memories of and there are so many ways to make it even better with your kids.

Gone are the days of checking “bird”, “tree” and “red car” off of a paper list.

Scavenger hunts can involve anything from secret codes to glow sticks.

Learn how to make your hunt a happy one in our recent blog here.

Water Fun

Time to cool down old-school style by getting wet and wild. The ways to do so are endless. Think of what you used to drag into your backyard when you were seven:

• Sprinkler
• Water balloons
• Water guns
• Slip n’ slide
• Kiddie pool

These are all fun and inexpensive options that you can reuse for summers to come.

Treats from the Ice Cream Man

Was there anything more exciting than hearing the undeniable song emanating from the ice cream van as you played outdoors? It sent you scrambling for your piggy bank and counting furiously before bursting out the front door to catch it.

It is a feeling only surpassed by the victory you felt when walking home with your favorite sweet treat on a stick after catching up with the big ice-cream-filled vehicle.

If you don’t have a neighborhood ice cream man, check out your local parks and see if they make stops at high times.

Camp Out in Your Backyard

Looking for a different way to incorporate the sweet treats of your childhood? Why not set up the tent in the backyard and take a crack at making S’mores?

Camping in your yard also incorporates a number of other nostalgic activities such as cook outs, playing cards, board games and stargazing.

Get more ideas for your close-to-home camp out in our recent blog here.

Have a Sleepover

This is one that never changes. The same pillow fights, midnight snacks and movies with popcorn that made up your childhood sleepovers are still popular.

This is a great way to give your kids some freedom (while still knowing they are safe) and a wonderful way for you to trade off with your kids’ friends’ parents and have some kid-free time to yourself.

If the friend’s parents are up for it, your kiddo and their pal can even have their sleepover in a tent in your backyard.

Stay up and Watch the Sunset

Perhaps the most simple and enjoyable summer activity for your kids is being allowed to stay up late.

Take advantage of the extra time by watching the sun go down. Whether you have a great view from your backyard, or you need to walk or drive for a better vantage point, it is a wonderful bonding experience and allows for some great Instagrammable photos as well.

Go on a Picnic

Pick your spot, lay down your biggest blanket and grab your pre-packed picnic basket.

The picnics you go on with your kids don’t have to involve soggy cucumber sandwiches and rubbery deviled eggs like they did when you were young.

There are a number of ways to make your outdoor eating experience whatever you want it to be.

Check out our recent blog for more picture-perfect picnic ideas by clicking here.

Build a Fort

This can be as simple as a blanket draped over a few chairs or as complicated as building your own treehouse. Being involved in the creation of a “club house” and having somewhere that they can go to be “away from it all” can be a great experience for children.

They can also create a club of their own and invite friends to play together, building their social skills.

Climb Trees

Speaking of trees, why not get in one? Finding and scaling the perfect climbing tree comes with a great sense of accomplishment, gets your kids’ bodies moving and allows them to get outside.

Start small and find larger and more challenging trees as their monkeying around skills improve.

Don’t hesitate to get in on any of these activities yourself. All of the benefits for your kids transfer to you as well, plus, these nostalgic activities can take you on an exciting walk down memory lane!

Bonus Ideas:

• Sidewalk chalk
• Bubbles
• Riding bikes/scooters/skatebaords/rollerskates or rollerblades
• Flying kites
• Catching bugs (check out our blog about the benefits of exploring insects here).
• Skipping rocks
• Tag
• Playing in a sandbox