Fun Summer Activities For Kids
April 27, 2009 by Linette Gerlach
Filed under Outdoor Fun, Summer Yard Toys
The kids will be out of school soon for the summer (here it’s coming up in a couple more weeks). During the summer one of my favorite things is to get outside and do something as a family. Here are some fun ideas you can use to get outside more as a family this summer (the kids might even learn something, but don’t tell them that).
- Go fishing! Fishing is a wonderful family activity, and it’s a wonderful opportunity to spend some time quietly talking one on one with your child while you’re waiting on the next bite. The kids will have fun catching “the big one,” playing with worms, and tangling their pole in anything they can find.
- Take a hike! We have several parks, and trails in our area to walk and hike on. Take along a field guide for birds, flowers, or trees in your area and spend some time identifying them with your child.
- Teach your child a summer sport. Head to the park, or driving range and work with your child on their baseball, basketball, tennis, or golf skills.
- Find a quiet spot to do a little nature journaling with your child. Find a beautiful quiet spot while you’re hiking, fishing, or just out and about. Bring along some pencils and a drawing tablet. Take a little time to write about what you are experiencing, and draw the scenery around you. Write a story about a person or the animals you see around you.
- Take a bike ride with your children. There are several bike trails in our area, most have beautiful scenery. Even if you don’t have a local bike trail, if your children are old enough take a bike ride to the library, ice cream shop, or to pick up a few things at the grocery instead of driving the car. It will be great exercise and bonding time for you and your child, and it’s good for the environment when you leave the car at home.
- Do some gardening with the kids. Teach them about the plant varieties they are growing, and talk about where their food is coming from and how to care for our Earth. Let them dig in the dirt and enjoy their time in the garden, don’t make it all about work.
- Get outside and blow some bubbles, or play tag, play on the swing or in the sandbox with your kids. Get down on their level to play, and they will be totally thrilled to have you!
- Have a water fight, or break out the hose and sprinklers.
What kinds of activities do you have planned with your children over summer break?
Image via sxc.hu
