Summer Fun for Kids and Teens!

Summer Fun for Kids & Teens: 🌞(Come Rain or Shine!)🌦️

Summer is here (according to the calendar at least 🤣) and we know how important it is to keep everyone entertained, from little ones to teens - especially during those rainy days!

Personally, I love having a list of ideas to pick from - especially for those days when inspiration doesn't strike and everyone is asking you what they can do because they are 'sooooo boooooored'.

If you have days like that too, don't worry, I've got you. (Nothing wrong with them being bored by the way, but here are some ideas just in case.) 😉

Sunny Day Activities for Kids and Teens:

1. Outdoor Adventures:
   • Create a treasure hunt with clues and small prizes. My kids used to LOVE treasure hunts, so much so that I did them for every occasion - Christmas, birthdays, Easter, a random Sunday - any excuse. Whether inside or outside, they loved it! I got so into it I even created a 'grown up' treasure hunt for my colleagues at work. Fun for every age! If they're older, you could get them to create a treasure hunt with cryptic clues for you!
   • Get some ice lollies in and set up a mini water park outside with sprinklers, water balloons, and slip-and-slides. Invite friends and put on some music - always a winner on a hot day.
2. Nature Exploration:
   • Plan a hike and bring along a nature scavenger hunt list or outdoor bingo!
   • Geocaching is also really fun - download the app, find one hidden in your area, follow the clues and off you go!
   • Plan a beach day with friends, complete with beach games and a picnic or go on a bike ride exploring new trails or parks.
3. Creative Crafts:
   • Set up an outdoor painting station with washable paints for the little ones - or the big ones!
   • Got a patio? Let them 'glam up' your paving with some sidewalk chalk - lots of fun and easy to clean up with some water and a brush.
   • For the older ones, try DIY projects like tie-dye t-shirts, friendship bracelets or custom phone cases.
4. Sporty Fun:
   • Organize a friendly sports tournament with games like basketball, football, or rounders.
   • Learn a new skill such as skateboarding, roller-skating, or archery.
   • Try new activities like frisbee golf or paddle boarding at a nearby lake.

Rainy Day Activities:

1. Indoor Creativity:
   • Set up a craft station with coloring books, beads, and clay. You could set them a challenge to create something specific or leave them to it and see what they come up with!
   • Get the Lego out! My grandparents always used to have a box of random Lego to play with. It came out whenever we went over and more often than not, the adults would join in!
   • Pick up a new hobby like knitting, painting, or playing a musical instrument.
   • Try cooking or baking new recipes, maybe even have a cooking challenge with friends.
2. Entertainment:
   • Set up for a cozy movie marathon with blankets, popcorn and themed snacks.
   • Invite some friends over to play board games or video games - Mario Kart is a favourite in our house!
   • Put on a family talent or magic show.
3. Cooking Together:
   • Bake cookies or cupcakes and let the kids decorate them.
   • Have a make-your-own pizza night with various toppings.
   • Have a 'fancy dinner' night. Ask everyone to make one course, make a menu for the table, use a tablecloth and the fancy plates and then dress up in your best outfit to eat it!

Bonus Tips:

• Stay Organised: Keep a calendar of activities to give kids and teens something to look forward to each day.
• Mix It Up: Combine indoor and outdoor activities to keep things fresh and exciting. I used to have a jar of lolly sticks with a different (but easy to do and pre-approved by me) activity written on each one so they could choose their own activity.
• Get Involved: Encourage kids and teens to come up with their own ideas and let them take the lead in planning activities.
• Have a 'yes' day: If you're feeling particularly brave(!) you might let your kids have a 'yes' day - maybe you could watch the movie together first if you haven't already seen it - essentially a 'yes' day is where the parents/ carers must say yes to any activity suggested by the kids. You can make up your own ground rules of course (nothing dangerous or too messy or which costs over 'x' amount for example) but it does make a nice change as a parent/ carer to say yes to the kids instead of no and it can be really good fun! It's so cool to see what they come up with.

Have a wonderful rest of the summer!

Much love,

Amy 💜🤟