Summer of fun
42 days of summer can seem quite daunting, so here’s a few tips for having a wonderful summer of fun…..
Tips for a summer of fun
Plan
- Plan lots of activities and days out from craft, to outdoor play, to games , to picnics.
- Use pinterest, it is my personal biggest sanity saver!
- Write a summer bucket list of all the activities/places to visit you’d like to do/see. I love my bucket list as it means I always have ideas and inspiration up my sleeve, for all those rainy days and times when we are in desperate need of some boredom busters.
- You don’t need to spend a lot of money to have a good time, there are loads of free things to do.
Free play
- Allow plenty of time for free play, both with the kids and where the children can play on their own, it is good for them and allows parents some breathing space.
- Have a few chill out days too.
- Try not to over plan, or it can seem like the kids are still at school.
Encourage helpfulness
- Encourage the children to help out around the house, this assists you with the chores and also allows you, as a parent to spend more quality time with the kids.
- Examples: washing the car together, cooking dinner, hanging out the washing. These are all things my children have been enjoying this summer. I’m sure there are loads your kids could help with, whilst having fun at the same time, depending on their age.
42 Ideas for free summer fun
- Walks
- Nature walks
- Scavenger hunts (use pinterest to print off a hunt before you go)
- Parks
- Water play
- Bubbles
- Ball games
- Cycling
- Scooters
- Building dens
- Bug hunts
- Picnics
- Cooking
- Making potions
- Making pictures with nature
- Chalking
- Paddling pool
- Painting
- Ice play
- Tree climbing
- Splash about on a boat
- Playdoh
- Dancing
- Practice handstands, cart wheels, roll polys
- Rolling down a hill
- Muddy puddle jumping
- Splash/swim in the sea
- Beach play
- Go geocaching
- Craft with nature
- Do a reading challenge
- Fly a kite
- Board games
- Have a water fight
- Invite friends to play
- Make a teepee
- Do some simple science experiments
- Make a your own sports day
- Try some messy play with shaving foam
- Camp out for the night
- Stay up late one night for a spot of star gazing
- Keep a journal
This summer we have been having so much fun together as a family it’s difficult to include it all. We have been on the beach, splashing in the sea, splashing about in dinghy’s, crab fishing, making a waterfall wall, having paddling pool fun, riding bikes and scooters, going on walks, crafting, cooking and having many many picnics, just to name some of the fun!
I love Pinky’s crab pose in this photo, it makes me smile every time I look at it!
On our picnics, we have been trying these yummy BN Biscuits from McVities. They have a face on them with a cheeky wink, which means the kids think they are great fun, gradually eating the eyes, the mouth etc. We tried two flavours, chocolate and raspberry, both are delicious, but I think the children’s favourite are the chocolate ones. My children have devoured these biscuits at almost every picnic we have had this summer. I find them great to take out, as they are relatively mess free, but still have a delicious chocolate or raspberry filling in the middle, which means perfect for picnics! 
Here is a video of some of the fun we have been having, so far this summer, please take a look for some inspiration, it should make you smile……
I absolutely loved making this video, it has made me realise just how much wonderful fun we have all had together this summer…..it’s certainly one never to forget!
“This post is an entry for 42 Days of Summer Linky Challenge sponsored by McVitie’s BN. Learn more at http://bit.ly/1mRpMCL.”
Some lovely pics here and useful tips. You’ve clearly had a summer of fun.
Thank you
Karen, I love your free summer fun list. Geocaching is something which we had a go at for the first time, last week, but we found it so hard! we only found 2 out of the 5 caches before the kids were deflated. Definitely going to try to find a new route because I absolutely love the concept of it, getting outdoors and its free! x #letkidsbekids
Thank you, geocaching is great, but yes there are a few caches that are rather difficult
Great list’ think we’ve covered quite a few activities on there as well.
Thanks, they’re all great things to do
I love the crab pose too, looks like you have had a lot of fun #letkidsbekids
We have had loads of fun
Great list. I think we’ve managed quite a few of those just in our usual play/weekends. Love the crab pose photo. One to embarrass her with in future!
Thanks, this list is always good to remind us of all the things we can do
Awww summer is almost over and its so nice to look at photos of the trips that you had! Nice list too! I also love that pose! So fun! #letkidsbekids
Thank you, yes only a week or 2 of summer hold left, we need to make the most of it
Useful tips, these! Thanks for sharing
Thank you x
Fantastic list and great use of video too. Commenting for myself and on behalf of BritMums and thanking you for taking part
Thank you
We’ve actually had a pretty laid back summer without too much organised for the boys and no proper holiday away. I was worried that the dreaded “B” word would loom upon us but to be honest it just hasn’t happened. But we are so lucky to have so much open space for the boys to explore and a regular supply of children staying in the gite to play with. Looks like you have fun though and a good balance of activities!
A laid back summer sounds good too. It must be fun living where there’s so much space to explore and new friends to play with a lot of the time, must make for a good summer for the kids
What a fantastic list – it looks like you’ve been having the most fabulous fun. And the best thing of all? You’re all together
we have definitely been having a fab amount of fun and you are right, the best part is being together
Some really good suggestions – it does get difficult by week 7 or 8, we have 9 weeks to fill here! :S #letkidsbekids
Thank you
Some fab ideas in here – plenty to keep the wee ones entertained during the summer! #letkidsbekids
Thanks, it has kept us occupied