With school holidays kicking off next week and the temperatures rising, I think it is safe to say summer has arrived.
And although 2021 is also drastically different than normal, this summer can still be your best season; the season where you and your family spend time together, and make the most of every day from the first day of summer holidays until the day school return in September.
Because while this summer is vastly different, I am sure we are all in the same boat, just trying to make this summer one to remember too? 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 to get up to for the next eight 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 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 might 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 seashells or both, just spend time near the sea, it’s good for your mind.
7. Visit a library or museum
Books, art, statues, go explore – libraries and 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 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 alfresco cinema.
12. Build a fort
Outdoors if the weather allows it, under the dining table if it’s lashing.
13. Go swimming (or splashing) at your local beach
See who is brave enough to get in first!
14. Arrange a water gun fight in the park
Bonus points if adults get involved too.
15. Organise a garden ‘fun-fair’
Make candy floss, blow up balloons, host some fun games, hire and bouncy castle – and just 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, even old friends that have moved away)
Now that we are finally allowed to visit each other again, summer holidays are 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 nostalgic 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 – if socially distant – garden party.
Now tell us – what is on YOUR bucket list this summer?
