Summer Fun Ideas

Lets see... not sure what your yard is like, but my kids LOVE to go outside and do scavenger hunts... I give them each a card of things to find (pictures)... acorn, dandelion, bark, bug, rock round like a ball, something red, xmas tree branch, etc. We live at the edge of the woods so there is a LOT to find. They can collect them in a bag and then glue them to cardboard to make a collage. My daughter found a snake skin once which was a HUGE treasure.

Another quick idea that they like is to hang an old sheet up and let them squirt paint it with squirt guns and food coloring / water.

They also like to paint pinecones - takes a long time becuase of all the little parts. We have glued on eyes and make creatures. Painting rocks is fun too....

YOur boys are also at a great age to play :King for a day" - talk about it beforehand and explain how there are so many decisions to make during the day... what to eat, where to sit, what show to watch, what book to read, where to go to play, etc. and that for one day (they can each have a turn) THEY get to make those decisions. Mine planned out their day ahead of time so I could plan myself. I was a little afraid they would want to do outlandish stuff, but at this age (mine are 3 and 5) they were so excited to just choose that we ended doing things like going to the grocery store to buy the dinner she wanted, going to the library, and going for a hike / bike. I did put limits on it (ie... has to be in town, etc).

Anyway - I love your question becuase I am always looking for things to do as well... Ill check back to see what else people come up with. Have fun! J.

2 moms found this helpful

You should probably check out your local park and rec programs.
And your boys are not too young to start swimming lessons also

good luck to you

L.

These are fun to make with kids:

MMMMM----- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.06

Title: Muddy Buddies
Categories:
Yield: 9 Cups

9 c Rice Chex
1 c Chocolate chips, semi-sweet
1/2 c Peanut butter
1/4 c Butter or margarine
1 ts Vanilla extract
1 1/2 c Powdered sugar

Pour Rice Chex into a LARGE bowl. Set aside.

In a small saucepan over low heat melt chocolate chips, peanut
butter, and margarine until smooth, stirring often. Remove from
heat; stir in vanilla.

Pour chocolate mixture over cereal, stirring until all pieces are
evenly coated. Pour cereal mixture into a jumbo sized Ziploc bag
with powdered sugar. Secure bag and shake until all pieces are
well coated. Refrigerate until cool.

Note: Do not use reduced-fat margarine or butter as it may cause
chocolate mixture to clump and will not coat the cereal evenly.

Source: Rice Chex box - 1995

MM format: A. B

Comment: Best to put the coated cereal into 2 bags with sugar. (one for each kid!)

Comment: My grandsons invented Butter Buddies by substituting
butterscotch morsels for chocolate chips.

MMMMM

Dear C.,

Oh my gosh - do I ever have a great book to suggest - it is called Unplugged Play and you can get it at Amazon. Also check out Boston Central on-line for free and low cost ideas in your area. Have fun! L. S.

C.-
what about planting a vegtable garden for them to take care of. this is a good way to spend fun family time together every day. your boys will see the benefits from thier hard work.

How about a bike and big wheel decorating day with an obstacle course at the end with finish line and racing checkered flags etc

I know at Wal-Mart they have alot of different type of outdoor sidewalk chalk. If you have a driveway that you can be creative.

You should check with your local YMCA as well as the Boys and Girls clubs. They have days when there is free swim which you could spend some time in their pool and they sometimes have other activities they can participate in.

Good luck!!!

C.

Adventure trips. To the library, to the park, to a nature walk, to a museum, to Daddy's work, to a playground, to a business that has tours - a factory, a farm, etc., to a place that would interest your 6 year old (Ex. If he likes to draw - to an art store, to a museum). Show them the possiblities of this world.

Hi C.,

I get the Family Fun magazine and it is AWESOME! They have games, crafts, cooking and lots of other stuff to do. If you need ideas this is a great place to get them. If you dont want to subscribe to the magazine, you can also get lots of ideas at thier website, familyfun.com Check it out.

J.