I hope your summer has been going well, despite the challenges presented with everything going on in our world right now. I can’t believe it is August. Someday soon, we will see summer turn to fall. We may as well grasp every minute of summer between now and then.

Are you running low on ideas of summer activities to do with your kids? Look no further, I’ve got five easy and fun summer activities for you and your kiddos!

1. Make homemade ice cream – Long gone are the days of needing an ice cream maker and lots of time. All you need now is a resealable plastic bag, some ingredients, and 15 minutes. This is a great recipe I found from Delish. Have an ice cream social with your family, and each kiddo can be in charge of their own baggie to make their very own ice cream. It takes some endurance to shake it until frozen, so consider it a movement activity too. Here’s the recipe:

Ingredients

1 c. half-and-half

2 tbsp. granulated sugar

1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

3 c. ice

1/3 c. kosher salt

Toppings of your choice

Directions
1. In a small resealable plastic bag, combine half-and-half, sugar, and vanilla. Push out excess air and seal.

2. In a large resealable plastic bag, combine ice and salt. Place small bag inside the bigger bag and shake vigorously, 7 to 10 minutes, until ice cream has hardened.

3. Remove from bag and enjoy with your favorite ice cream toppings.

2. Build a backyard obstacle course – You can use anything available to make this happen. Think hula hoops, jump ropes, sticks, balls, or hoses. The kids will love to run around and challenge each other (and themselves) to beat their time.

3. Camp and stargaze from home – Plan a family night outside to lay back and take in the calm of a starry night. It’s so calming and peaceful, which we all certainly need right now. Really make it a night and plan a backyard campout. Let the kids help with planning and set up. Sounds like a memory maker to me!

4. Create a scavenger hunt – This can be done indoors on a rainy day or outdoors when the weather feels good. You can put a lot of thought and preparation into this, or simply go on the fly. Make a list and send them on their way! Here’s an example: Count how many pairs of socks are in your sock drawer (and put them back). Find your favorite book and write down the first sentence. Count how many stairs are in your home. The options are truly endless!

5. Host a Yes Day – This will require some flexibility on your part, but it’s guaranteed to be a day you will always remember. The premise is this: you can’t say “no” to anything! Of course, it’s important to set boundaries prior to Yes Day, including the time parameters and any specific rules (no harm to self or others, etc.). The catch is the children can’t say “no” to anything either. Added difficult chores should not be added, but rather use it as an opportunity to ask them to do their typical chores but also goofy things, like “Do you want to run around the backyard with me 4 times?” Research has shown that having a Yes Day with your children increases closeness and you are teaching your children how to make decisions (even when they are silly). It brings awareness to how many times you offer an automatic “no” which can be really humbling.

Enjoy these last few weeks of summer! It’s certainly been a summer to remember, and we want there to be some positive memories in there too!