Experienced Bad Mom

Not Just a Bad Mom, But an Experienced Bad Mom

Experienced Bad Mom’s Guide to School-age Summer Fun

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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:

35 Summer Fun Activities for School-age kids as found on experiencedbadmom.com

  1. Go on a picnic
  2. Make and float cucumber boats
  3. Watch “Let’s Make a Deal” or “Price is Right” or “Curious George” together
  4. Bake cookies
  5. Have a lemonade stand
  6. Use the Slip ‘N Slide
  7. Don’t yell when the kids leave the water running on the Slip ‘N Slide for 60 minutes after they abandoned it
  8. Go to the library
  9. Go fishing
  10. Make ice cream
  11. Eat ice cream
  12. Catch fireflies
  13. Go to the beach
  14. Play miniature golf
  15. Roller skate
  16. Go to the movies
  17. Visit a new playground
  18. Have playdates
  19. Don’t have playdates
  20. Ride bikes
  21. Go for a walk
  22. Draw with sidewalk chalk
  23. Make those giant bubbles somehow (note to self: Check Pinterest!)
  24. Play video games
  25. Go to a drive-in movie
  26. Read books
  27. Draw comics
  28. Sleep in
  29. Don’t yell at my kids unless they really need to be yelled at
  30. Go to the indoor trampoline park
  31. Don’t break any body parts at the indoor trampoline park
  32. Go back-to-school shopping
  33. Have sleepovers
  34. Set up a tent in the backyard
  35. 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?

Comments

  1. 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 FencesMy Profile

  3. 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 SummerMy Profile

  4. 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 RightMy Profile

  5. 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!!!!

  6. 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.

  7. 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 55My Profile

    • 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!

  8. 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 ForceMy Profile

    • 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!

  10. 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 betweenMy Profile

  12. 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 & BodyMy Profile

  13. 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 DrawerMy Profile

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