Summer Fun but Organized!

I work, but I try to keep my kids busy. They are way more manageable when they aren't bored! I have a great lady that takes care of my kids. I've helped her brainstorm some ideas for summer.
1st - our school is providing free breakfast and lunch all summer. SO, I will still be dropping them at school in the mornings, they will just be meeting her there with her own kids. That is freeing up some money to do more fun stuff.
I bought a 25 punch bounce pass to the bouncy world we have here for $65. It's indoors and air conditioned. She is planning to take the kids every Monday because it will be less crowded.
Our YMCA has a swimming pool. She's going to take them to swim in the early afternoon and meet me with them after work for water aerobics.
The movie theatres have $1 kids movies at 10 am during the week.
I bought a 4 pack to the planetarium for $15 on Groupon.
We have season passes to 6 flags.
I took extra swim suits and bikes to her house.
There is a woodsy trail she is going to take them hiking and biking in.
I think it's going to be a great summer!

I have to plan and be organized since I keep kids in my home. I have a couple of weeks worth of plans and ideas for the next couple of months. We are doing a few water relay races on Friday, a pajama day with movies next Monday, etc. I do need to make a menu too. Just haven't gotten that far yet. :) Have fun!

I had my son make up a list of things we can do together this summer just yesterday. I let him write everything to practice his writing skills(and keep him busy). He loves anything that keeps him busy working. Once he's bored he gets into things. He designed a cover and made a whole list. It got his mind thinking too of all the possibilities. I told him that whenever we need an idea we will go to the list and pick one of the ideas.

Okay, this isn't exactly an idea for fun things to do. I don't know how old your kids are, but if they are school aged, this is one thing that I've seen my sister/brother-in-law do at the start of each summer. They have the kids sign a contract---okay, that may sound a little over the top, BUT the very simple document just spells out the amount of TV/computer time that will be allowed each day, maybe the number of books they are expected to read each week, if any daily "quiet time" is expected, and a few other basic "rules" of summer vacation. Of course, they fill the kids days with a variety of fun activitites and such, but I think it's a good idea to have this kind of thing spelled out. Each child's contract is different and age-appropriate. They usually also post them in a family area so that when the kids start pushing the boundaries, it's clear for all to see what the rules are. Once my son starts school, I think I'm going to adopt this idea too.

I don't know how old your kids are, but a combination of routine and variety would probably work for all involved. i.e.
wake, breakfast, chores.
indoor/ outdoor activity
lunch, 1hr quiet time, chores.
indoor/ outdoor activity
dinner, learning/ chores/ fun
bedtime.

you can put indoor and outdoor activities in a jar or pre-set the agenda. maintain veto power.

have a nice time.

If your anywhere near ball ground, Gibbs garden just opened. Not free but you can get a family season pass for about $150. 100 acres, 16 different gardens, plenty of room for my boys to run around and NOT bug anyone else. Lake Lanier is always good too (beaches, parks, picnics ect.). If your in canton, brown park has all kinds of trails and play stuff. Also in canton, starting next week thursdays 10am old kid movies show at the theatre. 2$ each but that comes with ticket & a kids pack with a drink, popcorn, and candy or a prize. Find a friend with a pool... It can get crazy hot in this area (my thermometer on the deck last summer read 115 many many days, so be prepared). Good luck!