Summer is just around the corner, and the kids are going to be home all day, every day.

I remember summers when my own kids were little. The days can be exhausting, frustrating, chaotic, and LONG if you’re not prepared.

So, I’ll share something I did with my kids one summer that might help you. I started a summer calendar. The kids helped me construct it and fill it out.

Here’s how it works:

First, we all sat down and had a brainstorming session where we wrote out as many ideas for activities we could think of. Then, we went through each one and decided – as a whole – which ones would be affordable, doable, and enjoyable for all of us. 

We came up with one for each day of the summer, and some were repeated, but here are 30 to get you started: (many of these work best if you live in a neighborhood or at least have a group of close friends you can hang out with). 

1. Have a sidewalk chalk party.
2. Put on a neighborhood talent show.
3. Movie day – each kid chooses a movie and you binge movies all day at home – you can make fun snacks: popcorn, candy apples, rice crispie treats, etc.
4. Have a scavenger hunt – indoors or outdoors – add kids from the neighborhood if you want and let them choose partners.
5. Wash day – wash all the family vehicles, bikes, trikes, etc.
6. Paint the fence with big paint brushes and buckets of water – you can even add washable paint to the water for more fun. If you don’t have a fence, kids can paint the house.
7. Go find a huge appliance box behind a Lowe’s, Home Depot, or other appliance store – let the kids paint it inside and out on the back patio with washable paint
8. Build an obstacle course in the backyard – you can even add a slip-n-slide or a kiddie pool at the end of it as a way to cool down after going through the course
9. Go apple bobbing – give each kid their own bowl to cut down on germs and backwash if you want
10. visit a different nearby park (or beach – if you live close enough) each week – hike some different trails
11. Have a picnic at a local park.
12. If you have access to a pool – definitely go for a swim. You can play water games and let the kids dive for water toys.
13. Plant some beans and other easy-to-grow plants.
14. Play with bubbles – invest in some good bubble wands of all different sizes and shapes to make it really fun. Bubbles are a great activity when the grass is wet from a rain the night before because they last longer on the ground instead of popping right away.
15. Do some easy science experiements – check out 5 Easy At Home Science Experiments w/Mark Rober
16. Make a time capsule – let your kids choose items to put in there – bury it in the backyard and mark a day on the calendar in one year, two years, or longer to open it together (don’t forget about it if you move!)
17. Go look for birds together in the park – look up information about each one online and write it down to document your finds
18. Go have a reading day – either at the local library or at your favorite local park. Talk about the books you each read, later that night.
19. Visit a farmers market and teach your kids what fruits and veggies look like in their original form. Take some home and make something special together with them.
20. Go take a tour of your local fire station.
21. Go do a pottery class together – or buy the stuff and do it at home.
22. Have a fingerfoods day where you’re only allowed to eat meals that don’t require utensils. Let the kids help you come up with the menu.
23. Create a family drawing. Start with a basic scene or background and let one family member draw in an object to add to the “story” of the picture.
24. Make a huge blanket for using every chair and blanket in the house you can find. Challenge your kids to see how big they can make it.
25. Have a “board” day where you play board games of their choice throughout the day.
26. Have relay races in your backyard. Get the neighborhood kids involved if you want. (egg and spoon, bouncy ball, three-legged race, changing clothes race, etc.)
27. Tap a balloon back and forth using fly swatters or pool noodles.
28. Put on a parade. Use real instruments or make your own craft instruments.
29. Build a robot out of cardboard boxes. Let their imaginations run wild.
30. Have a water balloon or water gun fight. 

Feel free to share some activities you do to keep your kids busy during the summer!