Ten Free Summer Activities for you to do with your child or grandchild!
It’s the first official day of summer and I can’t believe how quickly time passes!
Sweet, Sweet Summertime
The grands are visiting your house for the weekend. How long before you hear those dreaded words….”I’m bored!”
This summer you don’t have to hear those words at all because I’m going to give you Ten Free (or very inexpensive) Summer Activities you can do with those grandchildren that will keep their minds occupied!
1. Ride outside. Kids love to ride bikes, wagons, whatever. We have a golf cart and the grandchildren love to decorate it and parade up and down our driveway. Find something with wheels and get outside with them! If it’s really hot set up the sprinkler system and ride through it! Kids love anything with water!
2. Have a camp out. Whether it’s a simple tent out of blankets or just lawn chairs under the stars, your grandchildren will love spending time with you outdoors. Add some Smores, a bonfire and a book read by flashlight and you have the makings of a campout memory that won’t forget.
3. Water balloons or water gun fights. This is a family favorite and a sure fire way to cool off on a hot day. We did this recently at our grandson’s birthday and the adults had as much or more fun than the kids!
4. Hide and Seek. Kids love games and even a slow moving nana can hide….now getting to base is another story.
5. Throw a ball or a frisbee and if you have enough people, play dodge ball. Just make sure it’s a very soft ball!
6. Take a nature walk and go slow enough to examine every flower and bug. Take a jar in case the children capture something they want to look at upon their return. Just make sure and poke holes in the top of the lid for ventilation (in case they catch a frog or something) and explain that all nature’s creatures have to stay outside where they live (or you might find a frog in your bathroom).
7. Have a talent show on the porch and everyone performs something, even nana and poppa! Or do a family sing a long. Who cares if you are a little off key? The kids will love hearing everyone singing together.
8. Chalk art. Grab some colored chalk and draw pictures on the blacktop or concrete. Play Tic Tac Toe with chalk or practice writing their names and decorating them with flowers or doodles.
9. Hop scotch is another chalk activity that kids will love. Play with them. The exercise is good for you!
10. Taking pictures. Loan the grands your cell phone (or purchase a cheap disposable camera for them) and give them the assignment of making a video or photos of nature on that nature walk we mentioned earlier. Then let them research what they find on the computer. What kind of trees are these? What kind of bugs are these? Rocks? Even ants are fascinating when you read about them!
Have fun! Make memories and laugh a lot! Grandchildren grow faster than the weeds in your flower bed!
