3 Tips to Keep Summer Fun for Moms and Kids

With weeks left until school begins, it can get really hard to keep the kids active, excited, and really enjoying the last bit of summer. As a busy mom, these last couple of weeks can be pretty stressful with trying to get the kids ready to go back to school. So to keep spirits high, I’ve created the ultimate hack list so that you and the kids can really enjoy the last couple weeks of summer. This will get your kids creating and active and help you stay organized and prepared. So when the first day of school rolls around you and the kids can smile and look back at the wonderful memories made this summer. Enjoy these 3 tips for you and the kids to try the rest of the summer! 

1. Keep the kids busy with different activities 

Do you want to know my favorite part of the day? It’s not the moments before bed when I can soak in a bubble bath when my kids are asleep, it’s the small gap in the afternoon before they get home when I can actually get things done! When the kids are home for the summer, this gap grows smaller and smaller. Whether you just need to clean up the kitchen, or you need a little extra help keeping your kids occupied, here are some of my favorite ways to keep the kids busy:

Choose an easy craft for them to do

Hands on as We Grow has an awesome list of 30 different colorful and fun craft ideas that you and your kids will love! From an adorable sun mobile to pasta necklaces to homemade ice cream in a bag your kids will stay busy and happy until summer ends!

Have them do an outdoor scavenger hunt in the backyard

Here is an awesome way to get your kids and their friends outside and off the electronics. Hands on as We Grow has some creative ideas to get your kids up and moving and searching for hours of fun.

Make a water blob

Needless to say, it has been a HOT summer. And you may not have access to a pool, so the next best way to keep your kids cool and having fun for hours on end is by making a water blob. This is a fool-proof way to insure your kids are happy and having fun in the hot summer sun.

Read a book

What better way to get the kids back in the swing of school but still enjoy whats left of summer than reading a book? Buggy and Buddy has the ultimate reading list that will enthrall your kids for hours.

Have them create an ice experiment

Do you know all the creative and exciting experiments you can conduct with ice? Play Ideas brings the ultimate list of 25 things you can do with ice. From ice castles to recuse missions to ice chalk, your kids (and I bet you will end up joining them for this one) will have some serious fun.

2. Plan ahead of time for meals

When it comes to chaos, it is usually in conjunction with meal time. When kids get hungry, tantrums get thrown, and the whole system crumbles. In order to make things easier, meal planning can save yourself and your sanity during the summer months. When you make meals during the spring, make a double batch to freeze for later. Create a weekly or even monthly meal plan ahead of time to keep things easy, and to make sure you know what you’re making each day. Here are my favorite easy meals for summer:

BBQ Chicken Kababs

BBQ chicken kebabs are a summer classic and also a deliciously easy dinner that you and the kids can whip up and love.

Instant Pot Pulled Pork

As you may know, I love my instant pot. I also love pulled pork. This is an awesome recipe that you can whip together in no time. And here’s a bonus- you and the kids will LOVE this dinner.

Shrimp Enchiladas

This shrimp enchiladas recipe is such a fun and exciting dinner that everyone will love, not to mention super easy to throw together.

Easy Orange Chicken

This Easy Orange Chicken recipe is called easy for a reason. You and the kids will love this because it is so yummy and so simple.

Pizza Stuffed Chicken Breasts

And finally here is another easy and exciting recipe that you and the kids will love.  Pizza Stuffed Chicken is delicious, tasteful, and a huge hit in any home.

3. Create a summer schedule

Having a summer schedule in place is not only going to help keep your kids from constantly complaining that they’re bored, but also ensure that you have a plan for that day. Your summer schedule might be different based on your kid’s ages, or you can include broad categories for more flexibility. The goal of your summer schedule should be to provide structure. So make sure to clearly define what type of activity you want them to do each day. This can provide you with some necessary downtime, or family time together depending on your schedule.

Here is a great summer schedule you can follow as well as some other examples:

My summer schedule:

• M: Get creative! Make a craft or do an activity that allows your kids to be creative
• T: Try something new. Today’s theme is all about trying something new whether it be a craft, activity, new place, or even a new recipe
• W: Go out on the town. It’s time to get out of the house and go somewhere fun.
• T: Learn something new. Read books, do a science experiment or something else to encourage learning
• F: Family night Friday. Do something as a family.
• S: Help the house. Today’s theme is all about helping out around the house. Everyone pitches in to clean up and get the house tidy.
• S: Get active! Find an activity or something to do that will get you and your kids moving for at least 30 minutes.

Other summer schedule ideas:

• Printable Summer Schedule from The Chirping Moms
• Toddler Approved Summer Schedule from Toddler Approved
• Summer Schedule Ideas from A Mother Far From Home
• Summer Schedule for 3-5-year-olds from Heart of Deborah
• Summer Schedule from I Can Teach My Child

Being a stay at home mom, or a work at home mom doesn’t have to be stressful during the summer months, especially the last couple weeks of summer. Show summer who’s boss this year and keep your sanity too. Let us know what tips you are excited to try and what have done to keep the last couple weeks of summer fun and exciting for you and the kids!