22 Small Ways to be Intentional With Your Kids This Summer
Summers for kids are pure magic. Summers for adults trying to keep the magic alive for their kids are…less magical. This is about the time of year where I get super motivated and organized with planning the perfect summer experience for my boys and our family. I’m talking color-coordinated charts, Pinterest activities, lofty goals to limit screen time (are you laughing at my optimism yet?). I have been doing this for the past several summers knowing full well that my charts along with my patience are going to be nothing more than crumpled up pieces of trash come mid June.
You may be just as motivated to pull out the craft bins and chore charts. Or, more likely, you are wracking your brain on how on earth you are going to keep your wild ones entertained while simultaneously balancing your job and a million other household chores. I came up with this list as sort of a “go to” when I feel like I’ve exhausted my ideas and my wits. They are budget friendly (most free), and simple ways to be intentional with your kiddos this summer. Most of them don’t take more than a few minutes, but I guarantee they will be gold to stuff into your child’s relational piggy bank. Because Netflix and Disney+ are great companions for a chunk of time, but there is no substitution for intentional time with mom or dad.
I hope these ideas help keep the magic alive for you for a bit longer on these long, hot days.
Build a fort
Eat popsicles together outside
Discover with the seek app
Take a trip to the local library
Have a designated family movie night and let them pick out their treat
Let them help you water the garden (give the older ones their own plant to take care of)
Indoor campout
30 second dance party
Talk about what you are grateful for before bed
Make a point of eating dinner together at the table
Have a lunch or dinner picnic (if it’s too hot, throw a quilt down in the living or play room)
Put out a hummingbird feeder or bird house and bird watch with them
Have a lego or block building contest (see who can build the coolest city)
Do worship as a family
Read the God and Science daily devos with your kids in the morning
Surprise them with a water gun or silly string fight
Run through the sprinklers with them
Read a chapter book together (start your own book club)
Eat breakfast for dinner in your pjs one night
Take bread to feed the ducks at the local pond/park
Make and share a smoothie together
Make and do an obstacle course together
