It’s summer in KC! With kids home all day, parents are looking for ways to get kids off of devices and move them outdoors. If they claim they are bored, try bringing the inside out. Here are some activities to help you get outside as much as possible this summer.
1. Eat outside. When lunchtime hits, make it a picnic! You can walk or bike to a park or just hang out in your own backyard. At dinnertime, grill out on your patio. Or if you do cook indoors, you still can eat outside and enjoy the fresh air. Our family eats at least two meals a day outside. For lunch, I usually throw some sandwiches together and put some fruit out in a big bowl. And after a dinner of hot dogs and hamburgers, we often do Popsicles or s’mores. (And bonus: It means less cleanup for Mom! Your kitchen stays clean, and the birds can enjoy any crumbs your kids leave!)
2. Shower or bathe outside. The heat and dirt of summer mean daily washing, but it doesn’t always have to be tiresome. Why not let your kids bathe outside? Put babies or toddlers in some soapy water in a plastic kiddie pool. Let them have their bath toys and they’ll play forever. Hose your older kids down with some soap and the hose! They’ll love it, get clean and you get another bonus: Your bathroom won’t be a mess!
3. Craft outdoors. Take your crafts outside. Spread out some paints and items from nature and let the kids’ imaginations go wild. Paint rocks for a garden, do leaf prints or make something out of sticks. See EasyPeasyAndFun.com/painted-ladybug-rocks for ideas on painting rocks into ladybugs or bumblebees. And see Log-Homes.TheFunTimesGuide.com/twig_birdhouses for ideas on making birdhouses out of twigs. Another great idea is tie-dyeing. Grab a huge bucket, some dye and a bunch of rubber bands. Gather up some t-shirts and go crazy! It’s still just as fun as it was in the ’80s when we did it!
4. Play games outdoors. Ever think of taking games outside? Maybe not something like Monopoly with a million tiny pieces, but a game like Twister is a great one for the yard or patio! Charades or even Pictionary both work great too on a calm summer day. If you have a large easel and some bright markers, you’re all set. Another great one kids love is a scavenger hunt. Print out a list of some easy-to-find objects like leaves, worms, bugs and birds and let kids check each off as they see it.
5. View movies outdoors. These are always a hit with the family. If you have a large white space, like a garage door, you can rent or invest in a projector and invite the neighbors over for a summer movie and some popcorn. Set up some comfy chairs or let the kids sprawl out on blankets, and the night will be a blast. Imagine Zootopia coming to life at your outdoor theater!
6. Ditch the car. Need to run an errand? Take your bike or walk! Leave the car in the garage.
7. Shop farmers markets. Hit your local farmers market rather than the grocery store for fresh meat and produce. You can get anything from herbs to fruit and veggies to fresh flowers at most farmers markets. And you are supporting local farmers! Extra points if you walk or bike there!
8. Jam at an outdoor dance party. Crank up the music and have an outdoor dance party! Put the Trolls soundtrack on full-blast and get grooving!
9. Sleep outside. Who doesn’t love taking a nap outdoors? When our kids were babies, we often set up a Pack ’n Play or tent for them to take their naps outside in the fresh air. It’s peaceful and good for their lungs to sleep in the gentle breeze of a summer day. At night, you can set up a tent in the backyard or even sleep out under the stars. There’s nothing quite like a peaceful sleep out in nature.
10. Exercise. Walks, jogs or bike rides are a great way to bond as a family and work the muscles. You can do yoga, Pilates or a circuit with push-ups, pull-ups, jumping jacks and the monkey bars in your backyard. Our kids also love obstacle courses that include our play set, such as “run up the hill, do 10 jumping jacks, run around the tree, go up the ladder, down the slide and run back down the hill.” We time them and encourage them to beat their record each try!
11. Go digital outdoors. Whether they geocache (which is like a modern-day scavenger hunt utilizing an app on your phone), play Pokemon Go! or use an app that teaches about the stars and constellations, even kids growing up in a world of screens and technology can still get outside!
There’s not a whole lot you can’t do outside this summer, so no excuses! Get out there and enjoy the fresh air and all the gifts Mother Nature provides.
Quiz:
1. Which of the following can be done outdoors?
A. playing games
B. watching movies
C. taking baths
D. all of the above
2. What is geocaching?
A. A modern day scavenger hunt
B. An activity that works with an app on your phone
C. A class in summer school
D. both A and B
3. Which of the following do you NOT need for an outdoor movie?
A. A large professional-grade screen
B. Snacks
C. A projector
D. Chairs and blankets
4. What do you typically NOT find at farmers markets?
A. locally grown produce
B. locally raised meat
C. foods imported from other states and nations
D. local farmers
5. Which of the following are good ideas for outdoor crafts?
A. tie-dyeing
B. birdhouses
C. leaf prints
D. All of the above
Olathe mom Karen Johnson has three kids, ages 6, 4 and 2. She writes at The21stCenturySAHM.com.