Following In My Shoes | Texas Mom Blog

So, there I was … minding my own business.  Drinking coffee.  Looking outside at the Crepe Myrtle leaves swaying in the wind.

Then, a bolt of panicked lightening hit me: the Kidlets have one more week of school and then it’s SUMMER-TIME!!!!!

I don’t think this next bit of news will surprise anyone around here, but I am a planner.  I geek out over meal planning.  I like having a calendar.  I like making lists.

(p.s. I don’t like surprises)

Having a plan — even a loose plan for the day — keeps me sane and happy.  And, having a plan for the Kidlets keeps them happier and out of trouble.

Trust me … even though they are little, these three can get into trouble and into stuff faster than you can blink.  You know — the whole “idle hands” mantra.

As is our tradition, the Kidlets and I started working on a Summer Fun List.  We each took turns thinking of places to go, things to do, things to make, and stuff to eat.  Are we going to cross off each thing off our 100 ways to have summer fun?  Maybe.  Maybe not.

But, we at least have ideas for the long hot days of summer.  Ways to keep our minds engaged, learning, exploring, dreaming and creating.

And ways to keep our little preschool hands out of trouble.

P.S. (again) If you want even MORE help planning for the Summer, I came across two resources that look like they would fit the bill: 

• Do It Yourself Summer Camp, by Power of Moms
• Camp Mom, from 20Moms

• Go to the local Park
• Go to the local Zoo
• Go to the local Nursing Home and visit residents
• Go Bowling (for FREE!)
• Go to an Outdoor Concert (check your local calendar of events to find one in your area – they are very popular in the summer!)

• Go to the local Children’s Museum
• Go to the Children’s Movie each week (many communities host free or $1 movies during the summer; check with your local theater)
• Go to the local Museum of Fine Arts (many museums do free events during the summer!)
• Go to the Beach
• Go to the Farmer’s Market

• Go to the local Aquarium
• Go to the local Pet Store to visit the Animals
• Go to your local Animal Shelter and play with the Animals
• Go Fishing
• Go to a local Berry Farm and pick your own berries

• Take Cookies to your local Fire Department (call ahead and see if your children can have a tour!)
• Visit the local Swimming Pool or Splash Pad
• Go to a friend’s house for a Play-Date (and exchange the invitation to your home)
• Go on a “Staycation” — visit tourist destinations in your town/county.
• Go Camping in a State Park (many state and national parks have “Free Days”; check to see if your favorite park is one of them)
• Go to Grandma’s House (and give Mommy and Daddy a mini-vacation!)

• Have a Hot Wheels Race in the driveway
• Have an Indoor Beach Party
• Read everyday with a Summer Reading Bucket List
• Take Swimming Lessons
• Attend VBS (always free — check with your local churches for details)

• Work on Fine Motor Skills
• Have a Slumber Party
• Have a Water Balloon Fight
• Mail a Hug to Grandparents
• Have a Pajama & Movie Day (rainy day activity)

• Make and Play Rock Dominoes
• Have a Talent Show
• Make a Hurricane Emergency Kit  or similar Preparedness Kit tailored to your area’s weather
• Build a Sandcastle
• Swim in a Pool

• Go on a Scavenger Hunt (printable picture list for pre-readers)
• Play in the Sprinkler
• Eat Lunch with Daddy
• Paint with Frozen Water-colors
• Have a Camp-out and make S’mores

• Grow Flowers from Seeds
• Build a Zoo
• Experiment with Solar Energy by making Solar Power S’mores (these are edible!)
• Play Outside with Bubbles (TONS of fantastic DIY bubble ideas here)
• Color the Driveway with Chalk Art

• Paint on the Table (mess-free!)
• Donate Toys
• Play with Bubble-wrap
• Nature Walk/Bug Exploration
• Play Outdoor Twister

• Watch Fireworks
• Play Hopscotch (indoors when hot)
• Participate in a Summer Library Program
• Four Words: Water-Balloon Target Practice
• Be Super-Heroes with DIY Super-Hero Capes and DIY Super-Hero Masks (both “no sew”)

• Fish in the Bath-tub (rainy day activity)
• Make a Random Acts of Kindness List and do one a week around our community
• Work on our ABC’s
• Begin working on age-appropriate Cooking and Kitchen Skills
• Have a Tea-Party

• Make Sidewalk Chalk Paint (and color/paint driveway)
• Make a Bird Feeder
• Make Mud Playdough
• Make Crayons
• Create Sensory Paintings

• Make Glow in the Dark Slime
• Make Wind Chimes
• Make and Fly Kites
• Make Garden Stones
• Make Sun Catchers

• Make a Summer Memory Book (use Dollar Store notebook or a smashbook to record drawings, souvenirs, movie stubs, photographs, leaves, everything from the summer!)
• Make Bathtub Puff Paint
• Make I Spy Bottles
• Create a Marshmallow Shooter
• Decorate T-Shirts (puff paint or tie-dye)

• Make a JellyFish craft
• Make Watercolor Butterflies
• Make Dinosaur Feet
• Make Edible Finger-Paint
• Create Garden Art

• Make Sandwich Faces (open faced sandwiches)
• Make Rock Candy (also a science experiment)
• Eat Edible Flowers (honeysuckle, pansies and more)
• Make Ice Cream in a Bag
• Make Frozen Yogurt Covered Fruit Kebobs

• Make Individual Pizzas
• Make Fruit Popsicles
• Make Snow Cones
• Make Chocolate-Banana Pops
• Have Dessert for Dinner

• Make Banana Split Bites
• Make Banana & PB Dogs
• Make Homemade Gummy Fruit Snacks
• Make Dirt Pudding
• Make Eggs in a Basket

• Make Hummus
• Make an Banana-Split Oatmeal Bar
• Make Apple Sandwiches
• Make Trail-Mix Popcorn

For more Summer Fun Ideas, follow My “Kid Boards” on Pinterest:

• Kids Crafts and Activities
• Kid Food
• Kid Party Ideas
• Free Coloring Pages
• Backyard Party Ideas

What do you have planned for the Summer?

Rachel– Owner/Author Following In My Shoes