7 Things Every Child Needs to Do This Summer

Summer is here and you will find yourself making plans to keep the kids busy and looking for ways to engage them and teach them as the summer rolls through. In the midst of play dates, trips to
the zoo, and summer sports, we often forget about the basics of childhood and the fun things we did as kids to waste away hour after hour while our parents did whatever it is parents did. However did we learn and grow? The answer is, that simple play has it’s value and this summer is time to bring it back. Here are 7 Things Every Child Needs to Do This Summer; a bucket list if you will.

7 Things Every Child Needs to Do This Summer

Everyone has memories of covering the sidewalk in chalk. These are good happy memories of classical childhood play. Buying chalk in bulk is cheap and can keep your kids happy outside for days. If you switch it up with a few fun ways to learn and play with chalk, you will get plenty of time to sit and read a good book while they play.

Bubbles make for fun memories. Bubbles have endless uses, cost very little and if you’re willing to splurge you can even get some pretty cool bubbles you can hold in your hand or even taste. Get creative and challenge your child to problem solve by giving them a big tub of bubbles but leave out the bubble blower.

Riding bikes is great for developing motor skills for your child. Encourage your child to ride bikes often. Spend time teaching your child about bicycle maintenance. Family bike rides, and blazing wild life trails makes for a great FREE activity for the family.

Water play is great for keeping cool on hot days. The possibilities are endless. Freeze ice trays, cups, and even balloons full of water to help keep the kids nice and cool while they play outside. Create an Ice-cavation Block where you freeze small toys into the ice to give kids a reason to try and melt the ice. Make Sidewalk Chalk Ice by adding crushed chalk to water and then freeze it in the cubes of an ice tray. Once frozen give them to your children to use to paint on the sidewalk.

One thing kids love and never seem to get enough of is MUD. Icky, sticky, dirty mud makes a lot of fun for everyone. Spending time playing in mud was the sensory play of our day. If our parents did not have to hose us down to go in the house we did not do our job. Give your child that chance this summer.

Summer is an amazing time for finger paints. Taking the finger paints outside makes for less less for you and more fun for the kids because they can get as messy as they want. Put them in old clothes and let them go at it. You can even make your own finger paints to save money.

While this is not a thing you can buy, good friends are vital for your child. They help them build that connection that will be a large part of their lives. When making summer plans make a little extra time for having a good old time with friends. Invite them over to play, have a snack, and have a bit of old-fashioned fun.