Summer is a fantastic season. It brings long days, warm sunshine, and children looking forward to weeks of endless fun. Although seeing your children so happy is heartwarming, you may be stressing about activities to keep them busy throughout this period.
Worry not. There are countless summer activities to create family memories, enjoy friendly competition, or relax together. Luckily, you don’t have to plan an elaborate trip; you can make your family happy in your backyard or the great outdoors.
Low-cost summer outdoor activities
1. Explore nature and scenic trails
This activity allows you to bond while exploring the wonders of nature. You know your family best, so find nature parks or trails that will be challenging enough but suitable for your family.
You can even organize a simple competition for children to learn about the local plants and wildlife. Create a list of different plants and animals to look for on the trail or park. The one who spots the most objects wins the prize! Alternatively, you can let them take photos of as many plants as possible, pick flowers and leaves, and then make a scrapbook or beautiful collages to remind you of your trip.
If you’re going for a hike, ensure everyone wears weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy shoes, sticks to marked trails, and knows their surroundings.
2. Water fun and beach days
A day at the beach is the perfect summer activity. Making sandcastles, drawing in the sand, playing ball, collecting or spotting shells and stones, water guns, or splashing in the waves are just some beach activities to keep you entertained for hours. Also, don’t forget to complete this memory with the good old beach ice cream.
A safe lake or river can do if you don’t have a beach nearby. Plus, you can add fishing to the fun things to do. Remember to carry drinking water, buckets, and a shade where your family can rest between the fun. Also, always watch your children when they are in the water.
You can also visit the local pool for a more controlled environment or if your area lacks safe water spots.
3. Backyard camping
Set up a campsite in your backyard to bring your memorable summer adventure home. All you need to do is pitch a tent, roll the sleeping bags, and enjoy a night under the stars. This is also a clever way to introduce younger children to the joys of camping in a familiar environment.
Complete your camping adventure with a bonfire, roasting marshmallows, ghost stories, playing flashlight tag, and stargazing.
4. Build an obstacle course
Besides camping, you can turn your family into Ninja Warriors by building an obstacle course in your backyard. Something simple will work if the children are crawling, jumping, running, and balancing. You can get creative with hula hoops, jumping ropes, hoses, hay bales, tires, and simple cardboard tunnels.
Other alternative fun backyard activities include a family soccer game, badminton, softball, water balloon toss, scavenger hunting, or even a life-sized game of Jenga using wooden blocks.
5. Tour your hometown
Every area has its unique geography, historical landmarks, museums, local farms, farmers’ markets, and restaurants you can explore during summer. Even if you can’t physically tour these places, you can create fun trivia questions for your children that explore foods, history, animals, and more.
You can also include your local factories, fire stations, or police stations if they allow people to make such visits. Ensure you enquire before any visit to avoid inconveniencing them.
6. Create a low-maintenance garden
Gardening is not as complicated as it seems, and summer presents the perfect time to introduce children to the joys of gardening and taking responsibility. They can plant edible herbs or colorful plants like lavender, sedum, and geraniums. Some of these plants can attract insects and birds to your home.
Speaking of birds, you can also make DIY a bird feeder at home with your children. It’s also an incredible opportunity to teach them about wildlife and plants.
7. Make outdoor art and craft
Nurture the little artists in your children by exploring outdoor art ideas where you don’t have to worry about messes. Buy washable paints or chalk and let them go wild on outdoor mediums such as rocks, sidewalks, construction paper, cardboard, or blocks. This is also the time to decorate any pebbles, stones, or sticks they collected during your nature walks or at the beach.
A summer full of fun
Whether you are a busy parent or a stay-at-home parent, there are numerous fun and affordable ways to keep your family entertained throughout the summer. This is a chance to put down the devices, breathe fresh air, and explore the outdoors. Nature walks, backyard sports, water fun, art, gardening, and hometown tours are some activities that will benefit not only their bodies but also their minds. So gather your family, step outside, and make this summer filled with joy, exploration, and memorable moments.
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