Summer Survival Guide :: Family Activities for the Whole Summer

Looking for summer activities to do with your kids? This is your summer survival guide, complete with activity ideas for the whole summer!

I love a laid-back summer. I don’t want to over-schedule my kids or constantly be on the go. However, our family thrives on structure. 

Establishing a loose schedule allows us to be intentional about things we want to do and things we need to do!

I’m amazed at how much better everyone’s attitudes are when I make time with my kids a priority. The problem is, I don’t really see myself as a “fun mom.” I can’t come up with ideas spontaneously, and if the kids suggest something, we usually don’t have all of the supplies needed. I want to be prepared, so I came up with a back-pocket plan.

By back-pocket plan, I mean that I’m not posting this list for all the kids to see — and hold me to.  Rather, I planned an activity for each day to keep on stand-by.  If we’re busy with something else, we’re not chained to this chart, but if we need something to do, I’ll have all the supplies we need and the mental preparedness 😝 to say YES! Kind of like pulling an idea out of my back pocket! 

Just a note :: I don’t take any of these items out early because I want them to have the feeling of being new and exciting. But once they’re out, they can use them for the rest of the summer.

Make-it Mondays ::

1. MAKE SLIME :: Grab a kit like this one or pick up our FAVORITE slime book with loads of ideas for different types of slime.
2. Outdoor shadow drawings 
3. Easy Tie-Dye :: I’m not gonna lie — I avoid MESSY at all costs, but I’m getting brave this year because the kids will LOVE this and this tie-dye kit makes this project super easy.
4. Melting Bead Suncatchers :: I already have these beads ordered.
5. Folded Paper Bracelets :: Use all of those painted papers from Simple Saturday and make some really cool folded paper bracelets! Click here for tutorial.
6. Erupting Rainbows:: This isn’t an activity you’ll keep when you’re done, but it sure is fun to make! All you need is 3 simple ingredients you probably already have! some Find the simple instructions here.
7. Eye-Sticker Drawing Prompts :: The kids love when we pull out the eye-stickers and create new pictures and stories. Get ready for imaginations to run wild! Grab your eye-stickers here and find simple instructions here.
8. Yarn Bowls :: We’re so excited to try this one with some of our mini-bowls. I grabbed this assortment of yarn :: We’re so excited to try this one with some of our mini-bowls. I grabbed this (because we don’t have any on-hand) so the kids can pick their own colors and color patterns. For the littlest one, I will cut lots of yarn scraps for her to put on the bowl however she’d like. Tutorial and paste recipe here.
9. No-Sew Duck Tape Pouches :: This is easier than it might seem, and the kids will love this one!! Though this one is geared toward kids 6 and up, I know my younger two will still be able to enjoy this one with help!

Tasty Tuesdays ::

We’re using Tasty Tuesdays to get in the kitchen together and make a tasty treat for the week (or day!). Some of our favorites are ::

• chocolate chip cookies
• rice krispy treats
• homemade popsicles
• s’mores mix
• brownies
• Toddler Trail Mix
• Cupcakes
• S’mores Parfaits
• Puppy Chow

Find recipes on our Intentional, FUN Summer Pinterest Board.

Water Wednesday :: 

1. Splash pad 
2. Local pool 
3. Slip’n’slide 
4. Boating/beach
5. Water park
6. Water balloons :: These are our favorites!! I avoid water balloons at all costs if we don’t have this type of water balloon on hand. (The best price I’ve ever seen on these is at Costco, so if you have a membership, keep your eye out for them!) 
7. Splash pad
8. Local pool
9. Sprinkler

Thinking Thursdays

Our thinking Thursdays will alternate between trips to the library to check out new books, games, and videos and learning games we’ll enjoy at home.

Click on the links below to check out

• our favorite board games for the family
• learning games
• logic games for kids

Friday Fun :: Out-and-about

1. Local Park :: You’ll see “local park” on here THREE times but that’s because we so enjoy exploring different parks. One summer we explored a new park every week!
2. Amusement Park :: This year it’s Great America for us! (Thank you Read-to-Succeed program!)
3. Local Park
4. Zoo
5. Parade (or a community event or downtown festival)
6. Museum :: Living in the Chicagoland area, we have so many museums to choose, but because museums can be pricey, we usually only visit one each summer.
7. Local Park
8. Mini-Golf (or bowling, roller-skating, or the jumpy house)
9. Hike/Bike ride at the local forest preserve/national park

Simple Saturdays :: 

1. Side-walk chalk stories or these REALLY fun activities to do with sidewalk chalk
2. Ladder Ball :: This game has been a favorite among both the kids AND the adults. I love that you can adapt the rules to fit any age!
3. Giant bubbles :: I’m not sure where we received them from, but we have four large bubble wands like this and the kids (and I!) have had so much fun with them! You don’t have to be young to enjoy bubbles. They really are for all ages!
4. Painting :: We love painting in the summertime. We pull out all the paints and paper (or canvases if we have them on hand) and paint in the grass. I’m not worried about spills or stains because we’re outside and can hose off our surroundings (and the kids)! Click here to see some of our favorite painting supplies.
5. Jump Rope :: I’m printing out these jump rope songs to put in this photo book for the kids!
6. Color Scavenger Hunt :: Quick and easy to set up and so fun to play! Love that they used these bags as the map so the kids have a place to carry their treasure!
7. Mazes (for bikes or little feet) :: We use sidewalk chalk to make mazes and road systems for the kids to run or bike through, and the kids (big and little) spend hours enjoying them.
8. Fun twist on Hopscotch :: How fun is this?! Although MINE would like like this ;)
9. Picnic :: Depending on how we feel, we’ll take our picnic on the road or right in the backyard! Usually we keep it simple and stick to picnics under our apple tree (or the trampoline).

Looking for a way to help your kids connect with God this summer?

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We have tons more ideas on our Intentional, FUN Summer Pinterest Board. Come follow us there! 

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