It’s already mid-July, and sparsed in between the pool floaties and bright summery knick knacks, backpacks and notebooks are beginning to fill the shelves. That’s right: back-to-school season is right around the corner, and that means your children will soon be spending most of their day away from home again.
At any age, spending less time with your kids is always hard so I compiled a fun list on 6 ways to soak up the summer with your kids. From things like a Willy Wonka-esque ice cream interactive museum for the adventurous sweet tooths to easily accessible lawn bowling for the younger tikes, this list will have you covered to make sure that you can make the most of your summer, together. Check it out below!
Get Messy with an Art Project
Yes, the phrases “messy” and “good idea” normally do not go together, but just trust us on this one: set out a tarp on the back porch, get some paint, paper, and let loose some of your creative energy. Try out different challenges: portraits of each other, still life, the most recent dream either of you have had. When your masterpieces are drying, a cute crafty idea is to get some nearby daisies or wildflowers and
make some flower chain crowns.
Bring Bowling to Your Backyard
Gather in the backyard with family and friends to enjoy a popular version of classic lawn bowling. Great for an activity for the two of you, or birthday parties later down the line, the rules are fairly simple: there are ten wooden pins and three wooden balls. Set up the pins in a triangle of rows of 4, 3, 2, and 1. The wooden balls allow for easier movement across grass, so make sure to be ready to cheer when your child scores their first strike!
Make Learning Fun By Visiting an Interactive Museum
Heading to an art museum and lunch would be a classy day for older teens, but if you have younger children, you can’t go wrong with a museum that has interactive displays so that they can really get involved with the exhibition. An example of a cool exhibit to check out is a Willy Wonka-esque event in NYC this summer, at the pop-up Museum of Ice Cream. If you’re in the area, check it out: it boasts a pool of sprinkles you can swim in, a range of edible balloons to sample, and the thing of dreams: a chocolate room.
Get Your Adrenaline Racing with Go-Karts
Who said Moms couldn’t enjoy the competitive thrill of a friendly
go-kart race? Perfect for your elder son or daughter, a late breakfast of champions before you hit the track is always recommended. Make the competition even more exciting by bargaining a few chores, or maybe some extra hours of TV — it’s guaranteed to motivate them to win.
Play a Game of All-American Cornhole
This sturdy, compact game of cornhole can be taken along on any outdoor adventure for hours of fun, from backyard BBQs to camping trips to tailgating at the big game. You and your child each get four six-inch square bean bags, either red or blue, and take turns tossing the bean bags toward the target on the opposite board in order to score the most points.
Spend the Day Fulfilling Their Inner Explorer
With so much to do and see in the great outdoors, spending a day outside is both exciting and informative for your child. Play Queens of the Forest, go birdwatching, take a hike, bring a picnic, or explore a nearby stream. Children will be so excited for the opportunity to take on the next big adventure, so make sure you remember to grab
sunscreen to stay protected, a
water bottle to stay hydrated, and even a pair of binoculars to make sure you make the most of your experience.
