Sunshine, longer days, and vacations that allow daytime drinking — summer is finally here! Of course, this means your children are home from school, too. Sending them off to summer camp is a popular option. However, what if you want to spend time engaging with your kids this summer? Sure, having your children around all the time can be stressful. If you’re also on vacation, it can be lots of fun.
It’s not always possible to take your children on a big family vacation. Whether it’s because your budget won’t allow it or you don’t have the vacation days — don’t despair. From road trips to getting a new puppy, you can do so many fun things with your children. Take a look at a few activities you can do with them this summer.
Have some furry fun.
If you have a puppy or another pet, you already know what joy an animal brings to your household. If you don’t have room for a puppy or a kitten, visit a petting zoo. You can also get kids involved in pet rescue efforts. If you can afford to do so, consider giving an animal a loving home. If you already have a pet, consider teaching them new behavior this summer. You can get a trainer to teach your pooch new tricks. A dog trainer is the best option for larger dogs, though this depends on the breed. If you have a smaller dog, you and your children can stand in for a professional trainer. It takes a little research, but it’s a fun summer activity.
Or, you can involve your pet in outdoor activities with your children. Go on daily walks or car rides. Take your puppy to the park and allow your children to play with the other animals there. Make sure your pet is well-equipped for all the activity, too. Remember to keep your dog on a leash outdoors and get a durable harness for daily walks. Remember, a no pull harness for dogs is an excellent way to ensure your dog has a layer of protection. Pick a trusted brand like Joyride Harness to get the best pull dog harness for your pooch.
A front-clip harness can prevent any uncomfortable dog pull. Apart from less pull, this sort of strap can also minimize any strain on the dog’s chest and dog’s head. They’re usually made with a leash attachment, padding, and customized for the perfect fit. It helps ensure your dog’s skin stays free of nicks and cuts even if your dog does pull on the leash a little. It’s a versatile harness with a snug fit — a great option that’s much better than a loose leash.
Get busy in the kitchen.
Is it too hot to go outside, but boring indoors? Consider making simple household activities more enjoyable. This way, you can get all your chores done and do something fun with your children. A great option is to make cooking an exciting activity. Let your kids choose the menu — it can be as easy as cookies or as elaborate as a roast. Decorate desserts with toddlers, or try sugar craft modeling with teenagers. Plan a picnic lunch in the backyard. For this activity, you can prepare and pack the meal as a family. Add interesting drink mixes, exciting summer foods, and fun shapes and colors. If you make it more interesting, it will be more fun to spend time together in the kitchen.
Revamp your backyard.
Have you considered making your backyard summer activity zone? Instead of driving to public pools or water parks, have the same kind of fun in your yard. You can even make your backyard a temporary camping site. Consider constructing an obstacle course or rent a bouncy castle. If you can afford a pool, consider an inground pool. After all, swimming is a fun activity for the entire family.
When you put in a pool, ensure that your pool area is safe for children of all ages. As a pool owner, it’s your responsibility to keep your children’s friends safe, too. To avoid accidental drowning, watch younger children when they’re around the pool. Invest in a pool safety fence, pool alarm, pool gate, or mesh pool fence. The right pool barrier can help with peace of mind and as a safety precaution. Ensure you get the highest quality pool safety fence to keep toddlers and pets safe around the pool area. You can also add an automatic pool cover for an extra layer of protection when it isn’t in use.
When you buy pool safety equipment, make sure you get the top pick. A simple design is okay, but don’t skimp on the quality. Professional maintenance crews will be able to help you with your pool safety needs. Make sure you get a lifetime warranty for your safety cover and safety pool fence. After all, you want to ensure you have a summer filled with fun activities without any accidents.
Embrace your creative side.
Arts and crafts sound like a regular activity — but you can put a fun summer twist on them. Take your creativity outdoors and help your children collect and paint rocks. You can use them as paperweights or as fun garden decorations. Learn origami together, or join a crafts class that all of you will enjoy. If you have toddlers, use building blocks to construct fun play areas. Try a pottery or sculpting class with older children. For even more fun — shoot a film together. You can film a summer movie while learning a new skill at the same time.
Go on a road trip.
Do you think your road-tripping days are over? Or, are you worried you can’t afford to take your children on a fun summer trip? A road trip can be a fun family vacation too. Make it educational by visiting historical sites and monuments. Or, explore the outdoors by driving to a park or wildlife conservatory.
Around most of the United States, you don’t have to go too far to get the most out of a trip. Drive to the closest trekking site and take your children through the wonders of nature. Or, camp out under the stars and teach them to build a bonfire. If this sounds like too much, do something simple. Visit a local landmark or drive through a beautiful area outside the city limits.
Thank you to the team at Social Barracuda for the support on this post.
