Do Gardening and Yard Work Together
Getting out in the garden is both a fun exercise for you and your kids and a practical way for them to develop their own connection with the natural world. There are plenty of garden tool-sets for children that include plastic rakes, trowels, shovels, and even a bubble-blowing lawn mower. Have your kids’ plant their first tree, and they can watch it grow alongside them for years to come.
Build a Secret Fort
No childhood is complete until the ultimate secret fort hasbeen built, sacked, and rebuilt at least a few dozen times. Try draping a few sheets over some tree limbs, or if you prefer to stay inside than use the couch pillows to build protective walls. Soon your children’s imaginations will be taking you all to places you never knew existed.
Hold a Car Wash
Putting on an event like a car wash can be a great way to have a wacky day of fun with your kids, as well as teach them about generosity and giving. Work with your children to come up with a beneficial cause for your car wash, and you’ll be amazed at the development of their spirit.
Chalk the Sidewalk
Purchase some glow-in-the-dark chalk and head out to your driveway or a quiet sidewalk for an afternoon of drawing and hopscotch. Come the evening the kids will be able to look out upon their glowing artwork from their bedroom windows.
Make Some Music
Bring a big blanket out to the yard with a few simple musical instruments like a toy drum, a recorder, and an Irish flute. Even your littlest ones will be able to jump into the mix with a wooden spoon and a few pots and pans.
Chalk the Sidewalk
Purchase some glow-in-the-dark chalk and head out to your driveway or a quiet sidewalk for an afternoon of drawing and hopscotch. Come the evening the kids will be able to look out upon their glowing artwork from their bedroom windows.
Make Some Music
Bring a big blanket out to the yard with a few simple musical instruments like a toy drum, a recorder, and an Irish flute. Even your littlest ones will be able to jump into the mix with a wooden spoon and a few pots and pans.
Backyard Camping
For first time campers you can pick up a family tent and some sleeping bags at a local outdoors shop. Be sure to make the experience feel authentic by shutting off all electronics for the night and settling in for some traditional storytelling and stargazing.
Movie Night
Nothing is more relaxing for a family than settling down in the comfort of your own home with a bowl of popcorn and some Entertainment DVDs. You can do anything from a single film to a movie marathon because it’s summertime, and there’s no homework in the summertime. Look for inexpensive titles in supermarkets like Tesco, where they sometimes have them in bargain bins near the checkout.
However you decide to spend the beautiful summer months, be sure that you maximize the amount of quality time with your kids, because it’s true, they grow-up so fast!
For first time campers you can pick up a family tent and some sleeping bags at a local outdoors shop. Be sure to make the experience feel authentic by shutting off all electronics for the night and settling in for some traditional storytelling and stargazing.
Movie Night
Nothing is more relaxing for a family than settling down in the comfort of your own home with a bowl of popcorn and some Entertainment DVDs. You can do anything from a single film to a movie marathon because it’s summertime, and there’s no homework in the summertime. Look for inexpensive titles in supermarkets like Tesco, where they sometimes have them in bargain bins near the checkout.
However you decide to spend the beautiful summer months, be sure that you maximize the amount of quality time with your kids, because it’s true, they grow-up so fast!
Backyard Camping is on my list of possibilities this summer! We also do movie nights throughout the year. I also like the idea of some music in the yard! Thanks for the suggestions! - Louise
ReplyDeleteI always wanted to try backyard camping with my family! Hopefully one summer we will do it.
ReplyDelete