Bittersweet.
That is the word I would use to describe my relationship with summer. Bittersweet. I say this because while it is both fun and relaxing, it can also be stress inducing and chaotic.
I tend to live my best life in a routine. Schedules are my lifesaver. Knowing what we’re doing each day and being able to prepare for that day ahead of time is key. It saves my sanity and helps me to not get flustered. Though in the summer it isn’t that easy because summer is about freedom and throwing routine out the window (for the most part).
To keep us from going stir crazy and ending up with way too much screen time, I try to rotate between a few different activities. Getting out of the house even for just a little bit each day is important to overall well being.
Below I have put together a list of our favorite summertime activities to keep their sanity and yours in check while still enjoying your days!
Water play
This is a pretty broad term and it is meant to be. Water play can mean an afternoon at the pool, a few hours at the splash pad, or a bunch of hoses + a buckets in your back yard. Kids just love to play in the water, you could give them a dog bowl and they’d be happy. Throw on some swimsuits and let them splash in a body of water, big or small, and be just free.
Dollar movies
Many movie theaters (AMC, Regal, and Cinemark for example) have a summer movie special. This program includes extraordinarily less expensive tickets, sometimes including popcorn and a drink, all throughout the summer. It is usually a schedule of movies that have been out for a bit, but when they’re little they don’t mind – they just want to see a movie on the big screen. Check out their websites to find your local theater and showtimes throughout the summer.
Children’s museums
The great part about children’s museums is the fact that they are designed for touching. Almost everything in a children’s museum is there to be touched and explored by your little ones. There are so many different kinds of museums for kids that you are sure to find one fit for your family. We recently spent the day at one in the Inner Harbor called Port Discovery. It was so much fun for the kids and I loved being able to let them loose to run and play without having to worry about them breaking anything.
Trampoline parks/bounce houses
There are always going to be rainy days, but you should never let that cancel your summer parade. For those kind of days we always have indoor options like trampoline parks, bounce houses, and indoor play gyms. There is a long list of chains from coast to coast to give you plenty of chances to find one near you!
Local parks
My kids always enjoy heading out to the park over playing in our own backyard. Probably because it gives them new places to climb and explore. Depending on what time we’re heading there, we sometimes pack a lunch/dinner and eat in between playing. It is a great way to wear them out for naps or bedtime. Plus, it’s FREE!
I find myself rotating these types of activities throughout the week. Planning very loosely and being a bit spontaneous. A lot of what you do will depend on the weather that day, so it’s always good to have a few ideas in mind to start. What are some of your favorite ways to spend the summer days with your kids?
