Now that the school year has ended, I absolutely do not know what to do with my two daughters all summer - and I know that I’m not the only momma without a clue.
Moms – if you’re overwhelmed with how to keep your kids entertained during summer break, breathe and find sheer joy in all of the good that comes from the end of the school year: turning off that dreadful alarm; no more fussing over bath time or bedtime; no more debates over what to wear; and no more searching for that ONE missing sock before the sun comes up.
Even though there are many summer camps around the Charlotte area, it can get expensive with more than one kid. My family is fairly new to city and it’s hard to find activities to keep my girls occupied during the extended break. Like most busy moms, I’ve Googled local activities until exhaustion and picked up free magazines in the grocery store to find kid-friendly activities, but after countless attempts I’m still left to create our very own family fun.
If you’re as clueless as most moms and feel the need to break a spell of summertime sadness, that kids feel when boredom strikes – check out these eight awesome do-it-yourself activities to entertain your hyper-brood during the summer season:
- Allow your kids to play chef once a week! Update your summer dinner and dessert menus to include fun foods that your kids can help make along with you. Pizza, taco bars, homemade ice cream sundae buffets, decorative cookies, and baking cupcakes inside of ice cream cones are some of my favorites.
- Organize your own scavenger hunt. It’s a great activity that the entire family can enjoy…including those dads without a clue.
- Break out the slip-n-slide and kiddie pools. Add some music, bubbles, water-guns and balloons to create your very own family waterpark.
- Go camping for the night in your backyard. No smartphones allowed.
- Make summer learning fun with family trips to the library. Keeps your kids sharp over the break….and it's probably the only quiet time that you'll get for the next few months.
- Teach your kids how to make birdhouses with leftover Popsicle sticks.
- Gas up the car, pack a few lunches and visit parks in the area. Some park and recreation areas have live bands and entertainment, and hiking is always fun!
- Let your kids play outside longer….I know that I’ll be taking full advantage of extended outside hours!
Hey, moms. We know our little ones better than anyone. If the summertime boredom gets too intense and the whining starts, here’s a bonus for you – a real do-it-yourself…..have the kids load & unload the dishwasher or take the clothes out of the dryer for a change. I guarantee that they’ll be ready to play outside when they’re done.
If you cannot dedicate the entire summer to fun with your children, don’t stress. Enjoy the late-mornings, stock up on your favorite snacks, and watch new episodes of your favorite summer television with your kids. Most importantly…..relax! Late August will be here before your know it.
Happy end of the school year! We did it again!
About Alicia Heard:
Alicia Heard is a wife and mother, and author of the new book “Conversations with My Daughters.” Heard is dedicated to not only inspiring her daughters, but to also mentor and uplift mothers and their young girls around the world.
For more information on Alicia Heard or to purchase Conversations with My Daughters, visit Amazon site: (HERE)
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