Summertime is full of long days of sunshine. Kids love summer because school is out, leaving plenty of time to play. For parents, though, summer can bring a mixture of feelings. You have more time to spend with your children, but sometimes it’s difficult to keep them entertained for hours on end. If you feel like you’re constantly searching for new, creative activities that are fun for you and your kids, this list should help.
Make Your Own Scavenger Hunt
A scavenger hunt is a great way to keep your kids entertained for a whole day. You can spend the morning making a list of items for the hunt. Use your imagination, and let your kids help! You could stay in your neighborhood, or you could plan to head to a nearby destination, like the park, the beach, or a local museum. Whichever locale you choose, customize the list of items to fit the area.
Once you have the list complete, make enough copies for everyone to participate. The goal is to find every item on the list, but you may need to set a time limit to make sure the game doesn’t drag. Whoever finds the most items wins!
Create a Puppet Show
This activity is a great way to let your kids’ imaginations run wild. Give each child a brown paper bag, and set up a craft table with markers and other craft supplies so they can create their own puppets. When they’re done, set up a “stage” using a chair and a sheet. Finally, have your kids act out their own puppet show (using their imaginations, of course) while you sit as the audience.
Write a Family Newspaper
Every family has unique stories to tell, and you may be surprised at which ones your kids think are most important. Give your kids a real newspaper to use as an example, then set up an area with markers, crayons, and sheets of paper. Let your kids design their own newspaper, then read it together.
Summer is often a struggle for parents, but it doesn’t have to be. By planning a few creative activities for your kids, you’ll help their imaginations grow. As a bonus, you’ll have lots of fun creating memories with your kids.
