5 Fun Things to Do with Your Kids This Summer

This summer can be a great outlet to catch up and spend time with your kids. Here are 5 fun things that both you and your kids will enjoy doing together.

Get Wet

Either go to a water park, city pool, YMCA, backyard pool, or just get out your hose this summer and cool off with your children. Water fun can come in so many different ways. Water guns are a great way to play with your family, you can also try water balloons or a slip n' slide for more ideas of outside water fun. Not only will you save on the electric bill but you will make memories that will last a lifetime.

Go to the Zoo

Almost every city has a Zoo. Most of these Zoos are free. Take the kids to see the animals. Young kids and older kids alike get a kick out of seeing a trainer feeding the seals or a gorilla cuddling her baby. Most times you can find a Children's Zoo located right inside your own local Zoo where you can feed goats grain in ice cream cones or birds nectar from little cups. This experience gets you out of the house and exercising as a family with all the walking around watching animals.

Make Something Together

Make a project with your entire family this summer. You can do any type of craft or outdoor project. Get a stepping stone kit from your local craft store. Make a new stone each summer with your kids and put them in the backyard. Each person could make a stone or you could make one together. However, you could also plant a garden with your kids. Teach them how to grow a seed into a plant that produces food or flowers. This can be such a learning experience for your children.

Have Family Night Every Night

What a great feeling you get when you walk away from your weekly "family" night. With your kids growing up so fast why not make these memories last for as long as you can. Days when you are not transporting your children to hockey or dance this summer designate as family nights. Play games, watch movies with popcorn, go to a local restaurant (kids pick), or just go out in the backyard and throw around the bat and ball. Spending time with your kids is what they will remember.

Take a Walk

Go outside and just walk around the neighborhood collecting leaves and rocks, exercising, letting the kids off all that extra energy they always seem to have, as well as just talking and spending time with our kids. Create a space at home for the treasures you find on your walks. Get a jar for the rocks and a scrapbook to lay the leaves in and identify them online. Being active is what your kids need this summer, not only physical activity but mental activity as well.