With school holidays kicking off this week and the temperatures rising, I think it is safe to say summer has arrived.
And whether you are heading abroad, away or staying at home, I am sure we are all in the same boat in trying to make this summer too one to remember? One our children will think of with rose-tinted hues in years to come. That is what parenting is all about, no?
The thing is, children, much as we seem to frequently forget, often require very little in order to be happy and have fun, and often, it is just spending time with you that matters the most, no matter where you are or what you get up to.
Wondering what do get up to for the next seven weeks? We have rounded up 25 fun, easy, and most often also free things to do that will make you summer memories by the bucket load:
1. Visit your local (or more far-flung) farmer’s market
Make little budding foodies out of them by letting them help pick fruit and vegetables, taste new things and generally soak up the lovely atmosphere at a farmer’s market.
2. Set up a lemonade stall in your street or estate
It migth encourage their entrepreneurial side.
3. Go rollerskating
Whether you are dusting off your old skills or starting from scratch, this is bound to be a fun thing to do for the whole family. Just remember helmets!
4. Go on a road trip
It is not as scary as it seems, even with small kids in tow.
5. Go camping in the garden
Just put up a tent and sleep (almost) under the stars.
6. Pick pebbles at the beach
Or sea shells or both, just spend time near the sea, it’s good for your mind.
7. Visit a museum
Art, statues, installations; museums are both educational and fun.
8. Go fishing
Dig out your old fishing rod and take the family out for a day of fishing.
9. Play crazy golf
Fun for the whole family.
10. Go for a family bike ride
Fun, healthy and you can eat an ice cream without feeling at all guilty after.
11. Host an outdoor movie night in your garden
Bring out blankets, cushions and garden chairs, a sheet and a projector and you got yourself your very own al fresco cinema.
12. Build a fort
Outdoors if the weather allows it, under the dining table if it’s lashing.
13. Go to your local pool
An outdoor one is great, of course, but if the weather is acting up, an indoor one can be just as much fun.
14. Arrange a water gun fight in your street
Bonus points in adults get involved too.
15. Go to a fun fair
Do the bumper cars, eat the candy floss, soak up that summer feeling.
16. Visit a new playground
Like most families you probably have your local playgrounds that you visit all the time – but mix things up a bit and go explore some new ones – the kids will be doubly excited.
17. Go whale watching
Or dolphin watching. Or just looking for fish or crabs or any other sea creatures your kids will love looking for.
18 Visit grandparents (or cousins, aunts, old friends that have moved away)
Summer holidays is the perfect time to catch up with loved ones.
19. Climb a mountain
Hiking is a great way to spend time outdoors (and get them seriously tired out in time for bedtime!)
20. Go for a picnic in the park
Or garden, even. The point is just that eating your food on a blanket on the ground is so much more summery than doing so at the table.
21. Watch a sunset
IRL magic.
22. Eat ice cream (a lot of ice cream)
Visit one of those nostalic ice cream parlours, your favourite local ice cream hunt or chase the ice cream van down the street, it doesn’t really matter, summers are meant to include ice cream.
23. Plant flowers in the garden
The kids will love helping you with this and bonus: Your garden will look better for it.
24. Let them paint outdoors
Painting is so messy many of us try our best to avoid it, but summer is the perfect time to let them get their art on – outside.
25. Invite the neighbours for a barbecue
Nothing says summer like gathering friends and neighbours for an all-out garden party.
Now tell us – what is on YOUR bucket list this summer?
(Feature image via Zara.com)
