Summer is finally here in our neck of the woods! As I write this, I’m picturing lazy summer days and nights ahead, filled with family time and magical experiences.
Yeah, right. My kids, ages 11 and 8, were bored and/or fighting over absolutely INANE stuff within 45 minutes of school ending.
What’s a mom to do? Focus on the positive, I say. Like the fact that I work part-time. Half the week I’m cooped up inside, but enjoying terrific productivity and adult conversation. Meanwhile, my kids are rockin’ it at summer day camp. The other half of the week I get to play or relax with the kids, who are growing up way too fast. I know I’ve got it good, folks.
Below is my list of things I’d like to do with my school-age kids this summer. Some of these activities take longer to plan than to execute; some I’ll probably never do; and others may be deemed too “babyish” or “stupid” by my tween this year. (That’s ok–I’ll do those activities with my younger child!)
Here are 35 summer fun activities for school-age kids:
- Go on a picnic
- Make and float cucumber boats
- Watch “Let’s Make a Deal” or “Price is Right” or “Curious George” together
- Bake cookies
- Have a lemonade stand
- Use the Slip ‘N Slide
- Don’t yell when the kids leave the water running on the Slip ‘N Slide for 60 minutes after they abandoned it
- Go to the library
- Go fishing
- Make ice cream
- Eat ice cream
- Catch fireflies
- Go to the beach
- Play miniature golf
- Roller skate
- Go to the movies
- Visit a new playground
- Have playdates
- Don’t have playdates
- Ride bikes
- Go for a walk
- Draw with sidewalk chalk
- Make those giant bubbles somehow (note to self: Check Pinterest!)
- Play video games
- Go to a drive-in movie
- Read books
- Draw comics
- Sleep in
- Don’t yell at my kids unless they really need to be yelled at
- Go to the indoor trampoline park
- Don’t break any body parts at the indoor trampoline park
- Go back-to-school shopping
- Have sleepovers
- Set up a tent in the backyard
- Visit museums
Wish me luck! If I’m writing by July about how desperate I am for school to resume, then you’ll know I’ve run out of summer fun steam.
What are your plans for enjoying this summer?
I have a wonderful memory of visiting my brother’s god mother in Baltimore and catching fireflies in her back yard. It was magical. We don’t have them here. And did you know that I won two donkeys on Let’s Make A Deal. You probably do. My brother-in;law managed to snag a copy of my sister winning some cash but he didn’t get mine. I’d love to look at it now. They filmed two shows a day then and she was on the earlier show. Humph.
Kelly L McKenzie recently posted…Good Neighbors Make Good Fences
I’m going to start scouring YouTube for LMAD episodes w/ donkey prizes awarded to short Canadian winners! I’ll let you know if I find you. NOW THAT’s HOW TO SPEND THE SUMMER!
Katy @ Experienced Bad Mom recently posted…Experienced Bad Mom’s Guide to School-age Summer Fun
Hahahaha! Excellent. Thanks, Katy. Love your search terms.
Kelly L Mckenzie recently posted…Ask Me In September
I’m delighted to see that your list of summertime activities is quite similar to what I did with my kids when they were 11 and 8 even though that was 22 years ago. Good luck!
Mo recently posted…Napa: 7 Gems And A Clunker Part 1
Thanks, Mo! If you survived, then I can, too!
Katy @ Experienced Bad Mom recently posted…Experienced Bad Mom’s Guide to School-age Summer Fun
Aw! You have quite a list Katy!! Good for YOU, mama!! I’m going to steal a few from it, okay? 🙂 Enjoy… embrace! And girl, do I know the irritations with the kids!! I remember two days- TWO DAYS into summer, Cade sighed “I’m bored.” Are you freaking KIDDING ME? The kid hasn’t stopped since…. but for that one hour he was watching TV on a SATURDAY morning, he was a cranky mess.
I gave him an earful. Oh, yes I did. 🙂 Lets just say he was “bored” upstairs in his room for some time after that… learning how to NOT be bored.
Chris Carter recently posted…Six Ways To Unplug This Summer
Ha ha Chris! You make them un-bored, girl!! I’m with you.
Katy @ Experienced Bad Mom recently posted…Experienced Bad Mom’s Guide to School-age Summer Fun
I’m so torn about this summer! I, too, work part-time but in the summer it feels like so many more hours than it does during the rest of the year!!! I’m completely with you on all of your list. Seriously, all of it. I’ll have to add some Lego Blaster fighting thing where one of us is invisible but other than that? YES!!! Thank you so much for linking up to Finish the Sentence!
Kristi Campbell recently posted…I Hope I Get This Summer Right
I was sitting at work this week thinking “I want to be with my kids.” Then, one day into being with my kids and I was thinking, “I can’t wait to go back to work.” Ha!!
Enjoy that Lego fighty thing. 🙂
Katy @ Experienced Bad Mom recently posted…Experienced Bad Mom’s Guide to School-age Summer Fun
Katy you list prescribes the perfect summer. I am actually a little jealous. Although I treasure our adventures, I also miss the simple little things that make summer, summer. Have fun and enjoy yourselves!!!!
Thanks, Allie! Summer is my favorite time of year for the pure joy of eating ice cream and feeling the wind on my bare uncovered skin. I know you’ll have a blast touring the country, too!
Katy @ Experienced Bad Mom recently posted…Experienced Bad Mom’s Guide to School-age Summer Fun
Great list. They sell those big, giant bubble things at Michaels! Buy one get one free just yesterday:) Who has time for Pinterest? I tell myself every year I’m going to set a tent up in the backyard. I’ve GOT to do that this time. I’m working really hard at #29, too. Another idea is Bocce ball. I just introduced my kids to that, and they love it. I’m getting the “I’m bored” a lot already, too. I announced after the first one last week: “Solving your boredom is not my job.” My pretween said “Sheeesh” and walked away. But a few minutes later she had pulled out her old light-weight balance beam and made up a routine to show me.
Thanks for the heads up about Michaels! I’ll be on the watch for the sale.
You have so many great ideas for summery things to do (although #7 isn’t going to happen for me)! My kids are heading off to camp, and we have a family trip planned at the end of the summer. Other than that, we’ll be chilling and taking it easy. Glad to have your list; I’ll use when the chilling isn’t working out for us anymore! Have a great summer!
Anna Fitfunner recently posted…The Ultimate Pinterest Party, Week 55
My kids always walk away from the slip n slide leaving the water running. My husband is driven crazy by this! His Captain Frugal emerges and it’s all about the wasted water. Have a great summer, too!
Such a great list!! I had some of this stuff on mine, but others were great ideas and/or reminders of fun stuff to do. (❤️ Mini golf). And I’m glad to know it’s not just my kids who start the bickering almost as school lets out.
Mimi recently posted…Using His Force
Yup, I think all siblings are bickering on any given day over the summer. It’s nice to know as moms that we are not alone!
I rely on the library, parks, and even taking baby and the dog for walks before it gets too hot out. I love summer so much and feel extra motivated to get out and do things!
Jessica @ Absurd, She Wrote recently posted…The 3 C’s
I loved taking my babies to the library – and riding there on my bike for extra fresh air! Our library had great puzzles and board books for the little ones. I have such good memories.
Enjoy your summer!
Katy @ Experienced Bad Mom recently posted…Experienced Bad Mom’s Guide to School-age Summer Fun
I am a sucker for a lemonade stand – I will always stop. If there are cookies, even better! We are watching Friends with our kids – almost done season 5. #28 is the most popular one at our house though – yay summer!!
Dana recently posted…The moments in between
There are great ideas in here – looking forward to using quite a few!
Lisa @ The Meaning of Me recently posted…Library Day – How to Get Your Kid’s Nose Stuck Inside a Book
I LOVE that our 35 list – is actually quite different. I didn’t think about going to a drive-in movie. I wonder if they have any near us? I also really want to pitch a tent in the backyard. Happy Summer. While it’s raining outside, I’m still thrilled it’s finally here.
Caryn recently posted…25 Tips for a Healthy Mind & Body
We’ve had two weeks of summer here. the first week was our stay-cation/vacation, so we had lots of family together time! Yay!!
This week the kids have camps: ballet for the oldest and art camp for he middle. They are hanging out in my office in the afternoons. Aside from getting kinda chatty on the computers, they’ve been fine. They are finally old enough to not need me to entertain them every single second of the day. It’s a beautiful thing!
Rabia @TheLiebers recently posted…5am Junk Drawer