Stunning Summer Specialties- Summer activities for you and your kids!

Hey! Happy Summer!! The Beguiled Child has been MIA for a hot minute and I greatly apologize for that. I just moved states and it has been extremely hectic, but I hope to get back on a regular schedule of providing resources and information for anyone looking.

Today I thought it would be great to get back in the swing of things with fun activities to either do with or have your kids do during the summer. As restrictions start to lift from COVID and children are out of school, we all know that they will need entertainment and maybe even a little enrichment. Personally, I do not think parents should stress over the past year of academics if you feel your child is behind.

It would not be beneficial for them to have to study all summer to catch up. As hard as this year was for you, it was hard for them. As much as you want a break, so do they. Let this summer be a time where they can “reset” into being a kid again and when September comes your teachers and administrators will help your child get back on track academically. Remember, all children are struggling this year because of COVID, it’s not just your child and not something that should be high on your stress list (we have other things to worry about! :] ).

Anyway, on to the good stuff! I have provided a simple list of possible DIYs, group activities, or “keep busy” activities for the children in your life. I have also provided some resources at the end that I think have amazing ideas and optional print outs for your kids!

Post Contents

DIY Activities

Make homemade, experimental fruitsicles.
Build a fort in the living room on hot days or outdoors if you can.
Bake stuff together–cookies, mini fried pies, pizza.
Make a fire pit and roast marshmallows.
Build a birdhouse, dog house, kid house, bench, fort, wooden toys together.
Put a puzzle together (might take a while).
Science experiments
Start your own Guinness Book of Records (could last all summer!)
Create a Calm Down Corner

Summer With Supervision

Go to a kid’s museum.
Fishing or frog hunting
Go to the beach or the pool
Make a picnic basket and eat it at the river.
Sleep in a tent in the backyard or even the front yard.
Hike to a stream (or body of water) and go swimming.
Plant a mini garden or a big one and tend to it all summer long.

Groups of Kids

Spa Day at home with the whole family (Moms and Dads, too)
Make and race paper airplanes
Balloon tennis/volleyball
Capture the “anything” (opposite teams could have toys, treats, flags)
Heads up 7 up
Red light, green light
Take any simple game (war, tic tac toe, connect four, checkers) and turn it into a tournament
Pictionary or Charades

“Keep Busy” Summer Activities

Find that bird! (Birdwatching)
Painting (in a safe area – maybe outside)
Sidewalk chalk (minimal supervision depending on your location)
Have them create a dance to one of their favorite songs and then give a performance
Table top shuffle board (get closest to the edge without going over)
Exercise! Run, Kid, Run: Movement Activities for Kids
Reading challenge- a lot of libraries will have reading challenges set up that you can join or you can make your own at home
- Check out these pages for some reading ideas: 15+ Superhero Therapy Books & Games for Kids or 20 Therapeutic Books For Children

Take a Summer Virtual Field Trip

We took a lot of these when we had to shelter in place. Although much of the country has opened back up, you still can engage kids with these tours that may be out of reach or that can entertain them while you get some much needed “you-time.”