Warm weather and school dismissals can only mean one thing – it’s summer! With the kids home for summer break, it can often be a challenge to keep them busy and engaged in a way that doesn’t involve sitting in front of a screen.

As the Chief Entertainment Officers of your home, it’s important for activities to capture your kids’ attention while encouraging imaginative thinking – no easy feat, right? Don’t worry and never fear! We have a few activities you can do with your kids this summer that are bound to make memories that last a lifetime.

Make Some Sweet Treats Together

Summertime is the perfect time for popsicles! They make the summer heat bearable. Check out this recipe for a Root Beer popsicle. This popsicle’s delicious root beer flavor will make ordinary flavors a thing of the past! If neither of you are fans of root beer, this cherry slushy recipe is gluten and dairy-free.

Find a neighbor who has a projector, or head to a local park! Watching a movie under the stars is the perfect way for you and your kids to enjoy a summer night. It’s not often that you get to catch a movie outdoors and kids will love this twist on a familiar pastime. They might even make some new friends along the way!

See what free exhibits local museums and attractions offer. Many destinations have lower admission fees for children during the summer. Your kids will associate learning with fun and keep their brains engaged while they’re out of school.

Tap into your inner sculptor and create a masterpiece with your child using scented playdough. Playdough is easy to make at home, and fun for kids of all ages. Make your own non-toxic toy with custom colors and fragrances. This scented play dough recipe is inexpensive and smells infinitely better than the commercial variety!

You can choose the meal, or you can allow your kids to choose which of their favorite meals they’d like to help you prepare.  Cooking with you will help them learn the importance of measurements and proportions, strengthening their math skills outside of the classroom in a hands-on environment. Win! Here’s a bonus: did you know that children are more apt to eat the healthy meals they helped prepare?

Many of us can remember playing with sidewalk chalk and blowing bubbles in the driveway. This summer, refresh a classic recipe by adding essential oils to a DIY sidewalk chalk mix for a touch of aromatherapy during playtime. You could also try making your own scented backyard bubbles. Just like that, each activity now doubles as a craft. This allows you guys to bond and make something they will enjoy playing with the whole summer.

Give Back to Your Community

Volunteering teaches your kids the value of helping others. Make a list together of some ways you can give back to your community and commit to marking a few tasks off your list. There are plenty of ways to do something good for your neighbors, but here are a few suggestions:

• Donate blankets to the animal shelter
• Go through gently-used clothes and donate them a local homeless shelter
• Pick out some canned goods to donate to the local food bank
• Host a lemonade stand and donate the proceeds to a charity of your children’s choosing
• Bake some homemade treats and share them with your neighbors

Ditch the Screens this Summer!

School’s out and most kids want to run around, have fun, and be with their families. We hope you enjoy some of these activities with your children and make memories for years to come. While the days may be long, the years are short!