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10 Things You Should Do With Your Kids Every Summer

10 Things You Should Do With Your Kids Every Summer

by Candace Sampson

Eighteen summers, that’s all we have with our children before they leave the nest. The weight of that number is weighing heavy on me lately. I am already at summer #12 and #10 with my daughters. We long ago surpassed the halfway mark and I am acutely aware of how fast it’s all gone. Summer, like our children’s growth, is fleeting. Both need to be embraced without reservation and with complete enthusiasm. That’s why I believe there are 10 things you should do every summer with you kids without exception. Trust me, every year will bring new and lasting memories as your kids change and grow.

10 Things You Should Do With Your Kids Every Summer

Camping

I’m the first to tell you that sleeping under the stars is not my gig, but my kids love it, so once a year I sleep in the backyard with them in a tent. They also love having friends over for sleepovers. Sure, it’s not out the forest, but you don’t have to go far or spend a lot to make kids happy. For urban dwellers, this doesn’t have to be hard. Grab some sleeping bags and sleep on the living room floor if need be. Your kids will remember doing something different and fun with you, not how much money you spent.

Hit the Beach

Summer just isn’t summer without a trip to the beach. No one is ever too old to swim in crystal blue water or play in the sand. Lakes, rivers and oceans will suffice but not a beach entry pool. Sorry parents, that doesn’t count.

10 Things You Should Do With Your Kids Every Summer

 

Attend a Summer Festival

Rib festivals, hot air balloon festivals, folk festivals and music festivals are just a few of the thousands of summer festivals held across North America each summer. Festivals are a great way to introduce arts and culture into your kids’ lives without breaking the bank. Check with your local tourism board for festivals in your area. If you’re feeling adventurous as the kids get older look a little further from home. You won’t be disappointed.

Catch a Summer Movie

There’s just something so wonderful about catching a summer matinee with your kids and blowing off the daily grind. Summer also happens to be when the best movies come out. This summer we’re looking forward to seeing Finding Dory and Star Trek Beyond. Pssst, come here.  Maybe you heard this here and maybe you didn’t, BUT, I’ve heard of people who stock up on candy at the Bulk Barn and smuggle it in their purse into the theatre. What? Summer can be expensive.  

Have a Water Fight

Here are the ground rules of having an epic summer water fight. 1) Mom initiates the water fight without warning. 2) Mom decides when the water fight is over. 3) Mom picks the winner and buys ice cream for everyone. 

Become One with Nature

Maybe it’s the Canadian in me, or it could be years of being kicked out of the house until the street lights came on but I can’t stand seeing kids inside the house on a beautiful summer day. Limit screen time and send your kids out into the world to explore in the park, or bike on a trail. You don’t have to go far to appreciate Mother Nature but if you have a little wanderlust, find a local forest and go off the grid for the day. 10 Things You Should Do With Your Kids Every Summer, Get in Touch with Nature

Put Them to Work

No really. You are not doing your kids any favours by doing everything for them. In fact, it’s the opposite. Teach them how to weed and water gardens, mow the lawn, sort the laundry, make their beds, or cook a meal. Make a point of teaching your children a new life skill every summer and you’ll never regret it.

Make Ice Cream

Really? Do I even have to explain this? Ice cream is one of summer’s most simple pleasures and it tastes even better when you make it all on your own. Pick up an ice cream machine if you’re going to be dedicated to it, or use the plastic bag method. Either way, everyone in the family will love it. 10 Things You Should Do Every Summer, Make Ice Cream

Go on a Picnic

Blanket – check. Drinks – check. Food – check. Now, leave your phone at home, head out to your local park and stretch out your blanket on a shady patch of grass. What I love most about picnics is that they are affordable fun and a great way to spend a day outside with your kids.

Sit Around a Campfire

It’s not summer until your hair smells smoky in my opinion. Roast some s’mores, sing a song and tell a ghost story with your favourite people. It’s a memory they won’t forget. 10 Things You Should Do With Your Kids Every Summer, Have a campfireWhat’s on your summer activity list? 10 Things You Should Do with Kids Every Summer

Category: Family Fun, Living, ParentingTag: beach fun, best movies to see with kids 2016, campfires, how to keep kids busy on a budget, must dos with kids summer, sleeping in a tent with kids, summer activities, summer fun with kids

About Candace Sampson

Candace Sampson is the founder and editor-in-chief of Life in Pleasantville, a blog dedicated to lifestyle, travel, and family. With a passion for storytelling and a knack for connecting with her audience, Candace shares real-life experiences and insights that resonate. Follow her on social media @candace_said and @whatshesaidtalk.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. edmontonjb

    at

    This summer we plan to try 3 new foods, go on a roller coaster with a loop and try water skiing

    Jonnie

  2. maria cantu

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    Go to the pool and the movies.

  3. Tanis

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    Having a baby, ha ha! BUT, we’ve been taking our son to the water park and the beach right now (he’s a little young for some of the activities on your list, but it’s a great list!)!

  4. Tanis

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    Tweet! https://twitter.com/tanandjosh/status/625006277668663296

  5. Rebecca

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    We want to do lots of camping this summer!

  6. Parent Club

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    Instead of camping – we cottage every summer. ITakes me back to my childhood (and helps me focus on theirs!)

  7. nicky

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    going to the park, the beach, and having picnics!

  8. Lindsey

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    We have done a few cottage visits, slept in a tent, gone tubing, seen a couple of movies, eaten from a chip truck, lots of swimming, slept on a boat, gone to wonderland and the zoo. I think I will suck it up and start a water fight! I know my kids would LOVE that :-). Planning to do a drive in too. Somewhere in between all of this, I need to clean my house. I will be sure to enlist some help. Thanks for all of the wonderful ideas!
    Lindsey

  9. carey

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    Water park and drive in movie!! I also always try to get in one Canadian cultural event. This year we visited the Royal Canadian Mint. Last year we toured the Supreme Court.

  10. Lori L.

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    We go strawberry picking every summer, the kids love it!

  11. inrdream

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    Gosh I never looked at it like that before, only 18 summers? AH! I agree with all your points and we do most of them. I’d add that, lazy home days are important too. Those days you sleep in, wake up snuggle and say humm…. what do you want to do at home together today? This week we had one and we broke out the paint and took the fun outside. The kids loved it.

  12. Brenda Lacourciere

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    Our summer list includes getting to the beach more.

  13. Kim D

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    Looking forward to camping and spending lots of time with family!

  14. Kim D

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    I tweeted: https://twitter.com/KContestsD/status/628895680107556864

  15. ELIZABETH P

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    We love time at the pool and having a campfire.

  16. ELIZABETH P

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    https://twitter.com/eliza_elliott/status/629305672652316672

  17. Melinda Jana (@Sukki24)

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    Going to the beach, ziplining, picnics and of course camping

  18. Melinda Jana (@Sukki24)

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    https://twitter.com/Sukki24/status/632252174769061888

  19. Erica Best

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    i love to bbq

  20. Erica Best

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    https://twitter.com/purplelover04/status/632698684019335168

  21. Tara Smith

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    This is a great and mostly inexpensive list! We are hitting the beach Saturday, and not coming back until Labour Day. I’d also add amusement park to our list. Ride Junkies.

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