Summer Ideas for the One Left Behind

i understand you don't want her to feel bad, but this is a good life lesson. life isn't always what we'd call "fair" and sometimes someone gets to do something we don't get to do...no biggie. don't make a big tragedy out of it.

however, i do think it's a great opportunity to do some really special mom and me things with her. a "spa" day with mom would be SO fun, even if she only gets her fingernails painted. you're in a great place (i assume) for zoos, museums, etc...don't pack every single day chock full of distractions but plan one or two special things just for the two of you to do. the boys might get to go to camp, but she'll get mommy all to herself and that will be awesome for her. have fun!

How old is she? Here are a few ideas:

Pretend City in Irvine
Discovery Science Center
Bowers Kidseum
Knott's Soak City
Great Park Hot Air Balloon & carousel (only open certain days of the week, so check the website)
Library storytime (many do fun stuff in the summer like puppet shows, magicians, etc)
Little Prince Restaurant in Buena Park (http://littleprinceusa.com/)
Boomers, or anywhere with mini golf
Bowling (www.kidsbowlfree.com)
Movies - check out the movie theater at Garden Walk, where $5 TOTAL gets you one movie a week for 10 weeks (pay in advance, otherwise it is $1 at the door each time you go)
http://www.ultrastarmovies.com/summerseries.asp
Irvine Park Railroad & OC Zoo
Visit a new park every day (funorangecountyparks.com is a great resource)
My friend Jane helps develop great lists of activities based on the week you want for a small fee. www.seejaneexplore.com
Adventure City amusement park
Natural History Museum near downtown LA is always free
Beach
Watermelon tours at Tanaka Farms
Concerts on the Lake in Irvine
Balboa Fun Zone
Santa Monica Pier
Take the train to Zoomars in San Juan Capistrano, go to the petting zoo, walk around the historic district/mission, have lunch, and ride the train home (kids 5 and under ride free)
Environmental Nature Center in Newport Beach
Sawdust Festival in Laguna Beach

Now I need to save that list so I can have fun with my own kids this summer! Thanks for giving me an excuse to come up with fun ideas. : )

Why can't you camp with your daughter, even if it's in the living room? Have picnics on the floor or at the park and and do your own version of "camping".
Camp in sleeping bags on the floor with flashlights and the lights all out. You can toast marshmallows on the stove, bbq something for dinner.Camp inside if you can't get out.

I live where the weather is miserable and my kids and I did that all the time. I'd build a fire and get it up to about 90 in the house. They ran around in their bathing suits and we just pretended it was summer outside.

I'm sure you can come up with creative things to make her feel special....just you and her time that the other kids don't get.
That's what I would do.
If you have a tent or play hut, set it up in the living room and just pretend you're camping.
My kids had great fun doing that.

Best wishes.

First thing that came to my mind was some camp-like activities. Pitch a tent in the backyard and have a campout. If you have a fire pit, roast marshmallows. Do crafts, go to some mommy-and-me type activities. Any time you spend with her will be special!

That sounds like the perfect situation to create a summer camplike experience for her. Swimming, zoo, museums, childrens amusement parks, the park or park hop (go from one park to another to another, ice cream out, movies, run through some fountains. etc.

There are plenty of things to do in the summer. Make each day an adventure for her. Since the other two will be away taking her on an outting without them is cheaper and she gets all of your attention. Lavish it on her. Ask her some ideas of what she would like to do.

We have some really great museums around here. I remember taking my girls to a doll museum which had a special tea for the girls and their dolls. It was truly a sweet experience. Maybe something like that would be fun for her if she really likes dolls.

I wouldn't call it the one left behind. I would call it a special time with my mommy.

You have just one child to work with daily as the other two are away at camp. You are in Anaheim and I am quite sure there are lots of things you can do there besides Disney. Check out the library, kids' gyms, a spa day, movie day, or time for you both, a nice luncheon (if she sits still) and gardening or making cookies at home. There are many things that cost little that you two can do.

Enjoy this special time with your daugther. She will remember it all her life the time it was just mom and me.

The other S.

Could you take your daughter to one of the theme parks in your area? Perhaps take her swimming every day. Go to the zoo. Go to the park. Ask her if there is something she would like to do and make that happen.
I suggest she'll enjoy having that time with you all to herself no matter what you do. You can focus on her. Watch a movie, listen to a children's book on CD. I get those from the library. Have her plan the menu for a meal and have her help prepare it.

My grandchildren love going to OMSI, Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. I've also taken them the the Children's Museum. We ride the city transit "train" and stop at a park along the way. The park is downtown with a water feature and after that we walk to a self serve frozen yogurt place where they can choose their toppings.

I read that you have limited vision, so I don't know if these are things you can do. Perhaps you could find a tween/teen who loves children to go with you. My 11 yo granddaughter would love to be of help in that way. You could ask at the local school or a church.

I'm sure it will be a special one on one time.

Collect rocks or leaves
Bake a cake or pretzel
Color together
Read
Go for a walk/hike in the park. My daughters love hiking in our local trails. We look for fairy doors (really just the dent on the base of the tree).
Build a fort in the living room
Go on a picnic even just in the backyard or the living room.

I would create an activity sheet for the week and post it on the fridge. It will give your daughter something to look forward to.

I did not read the other posts nor did I see the age of your little one but I would make each day a special 'camp' for her with you!! One day it could be Movie Day and you watch cartoons, print/color pictures of cartoon characters, make popcorn and/or other snacks. Have a picnic and snack time on a blanket in the living room. Read books.

Another day could be an exploring day. Go on a nature hike and play I Spy or do a scavenger hunt. Collect items to make a collage and paint and glue onto something (cardboard, paper, etc). Go to a Science Center or some Museum and a new restaurant for lunch.

One day could be Arts and Crafts. Play-do, shaving cream, play with ice outside, chalk, cutting/glueing, buy a craft kit from Michaels, etc.

One day could be a baking day. Make a bunch food, desserts and snacks together.

Do you have any friends/family that would be willing to take her for an afternonon? Make it a special 'play date' with that person.

Depends on her age and if you are looking to do things at home or out and about. You can pick a different theme each week, get books from the library for each theme and then take a "field trip" that ties into your theme (animals, trip to zoo; sea life, trip to aquarium, trains/railroad, train ride).

How old is she? I'd say that if you have a local/town lake or pool, you can join and take her swimming. If you have the money, take her on an outing once or twice a week - museum, movie, kid play place. Take her to the local playgrounds or sign her up for an age appropriate class where she can be with peers - a kiddie gym class or something like that. Also, if she has friends or you have friends with kids her age, invite them for playdates.

How old is she?

If she is 7 or older, you can take the time to scrapbook together! My daughter and I did this together for years! My two older boys were off doing their things, and I TREASURE this time together. So many people today just leave their pics on the computer, never to be looked at again! You can PM me if you want ideas on how to teach your daughter to do this and how to make it fun for both of you. Good luck!

Great opportunity for one on one mommy time! I don't know how much driving you are up for, but the Environmental Nature Center in Newport is so fun for little ones. And High Tea! Find a hotel that does it and get gussied up! Tide Pools is another great fun, or baby beach.