Ten Fantastic Summer Activities for Kids

Summer is a great time to get outside and really play creatively with your kids. In our family, we love to take vacations and make quick weekend getaways, but we also enjoy fun, energizing activities and "mini-vacations" in our own backyard. Below is a list of ten activities the entire family will love participating in.

1.) Sidewalk Chalk Art Show: Dad, Mom, brother, sister and baby alike, can all take a section of sidewalk and create their own work on art. All you need is a container of chunky sidewalk chalk and a vivid imagination to include designs such as rainbows, butterflies, cars or trucks. Trace each other handprints for a custom creation unlike anything made before!

2.) Build a sand castle: You don't have to head to the beach to create an amazing sand castle. Backyard sandboxes are a great way to indulge in beach activities in your own yard. Use different sized and shaped cups, buckets and canisters along with a little water to create the castle of your dreams!

3.) Go on a nature hunt: There's no need to hike to the local park to engage in a nature hunt. Simply create a list of things that your children can gather from your own yard, such as pebbles and rocks, leaves, twigs, flowers and clovers. Use the treasures you find in an art project of gluing the items to decorative paper.

4.) Run through a sprinkler: Remember how much fun you had doing that as a kid? Recreate the experience for your own children by purchasing a simple, inexpensive sprinkler from your local gardening supply store and attach it to the hose for hours of wet and wild fun!

5.) Host a lemonade stand. Gather up your ingredient of sugar, lemons, water and ice and head outside to set up shop! All you'll need to serve your lemonade is a small table, a couple chairs, some cups to serve your drinks in and a jar to collect your earnings! Donate your head earned cash to charity or save it for later when the ice cream truck rolls down your street.

6.) Make your own fruit juice Popsicles. All you need is some fresh berries and firm fruits, along with a half-gallon of white grape juice, Popsicle sticks and an ice cube tray. Wash and peel fruit such as pineapple, peaches, strawberries, blueberries and raspberries and add a few spoonfuls of the mixed fruit into each compartment of the ice cube tray, then fill to the top with the grape juice. Freeze for an hour or so, or until the cubes are semi-frozen, then insert a Popsicle stick before putting them back in the freezer to continue to completely freeze.

7.) Have a picnic: Yep! A picnic in your own backyard. Simply lay down a blanket, and serve lunch outside. Kids will love the fun change, and dining al fresco can be relaxing and uplifting. Clean up is a breeze too, as there are no tables to wipe or floors to sweep! Just be sure to place all your trash in the proper receptacles.

8.) Movie Afternoon: Don't let a rainy summer day put a damper on your activities. If you prepare in advance for such an occasion, you can have an afternoon pajama party and watch a couple movies. Pick up some movie-theater style candies, a box of microwave popcorn and a DVD or two, and spend the afternoon snacking and snuggling on the couch with your children.

9.) Make your own ice cream sundaes: Everyone loves ice cream in the hot summer months. Next time you're at the grocery store, grab a couple half-gallons of ice cream, some sundae toppings such as fudge and caramel, or favorite cookies and candy, and don't forget the whipped cream and cherries.

10.) Camp out under the stars: in your own backyard! Purchase a tent from your local sporting goods store and enjoy the evening outdoors! Grill burgers, roast marshmallows, collect fireflies. When the sun goes down, crawl under a blanket in the tent and tell ghost stories by flashlight!