Savoring the simplicity of summer

The long, warm days of summer are here, and they bring with them an almost unlimited potential for childhood fun. With the kids home, some of the greatest classic summer activities often begin in your own yard and don’t cost much money.

“We love to hang out in the backyard, make a picnic lunch and play in our inflatable pool,” says Blue Springs mom Jessica Harper. “Or we’ll head over to the park to get all the energy out and then swing by the ice cream shop on the way home.”

Bubbles provide one of the purest ways of capturing the joy of childhood. Let the kids expend their energy by having them chase the bubbles all over the yard. There can be contests to see who can pop the most bubbles or who can keep a bubble on his finger, arm or nose the longest. You can find many recipes for homemade bubbles on the internet, and they all include ingredients you typically would find around your home.

When the bubbles all have popped, a water table is another fun backyard activity that provides an opportunity for simple fun—and even a chance to teach something as complicated as the very basics behind hydraulics. Once the sun goes down, even more fun is at hand. Grab some Mason jars and get ready to catch some lightning bugs.

Learning begins at home, and your driveway can present an opportunity to teach business lessons. The classic lemonade stand is a decades-old staple when it comes to fostering entrepreneurship skills. Consider expanding the lemonade stand concept and see what else the kids can make and sell, whether that be baked goods or handmade items.

Sidewalk chalk is a classic tool for building artistic skills in a child. Independence mom Amy Jo Gillam suggests developing your own neighborhood art walk. While you are drawing on the sidewalk or driveway, encourage other kids in the neighborhood to recreate art pieces—or design their own—on their driveways. Friends and neighbors then can stroll through the showcase of everyone’s work. This summer she also wants to surprise some friends by writing and decorating Bible verses on their driveways.

A scavenger hunt affords another way to get all the neighborhood kids playing together. Develop different lists and you can repeat the activity multiple times during the season.

When you are ready to leave your neighborhood, there’s no need to get in the car. A simple bike ride through the subdivision always provides a chance for exploration. Develop different ride routes that include stops at a nearby restaurant, park or wooded area.

Endless hours of simple fun also can happen in the park. Grab some friends and bring a picnic lunch and some Popsicles for dessert. Spread out a blanket, lie back and take a few minutes to look up at the clouds and imagine what animals and objects they resemble. While you are at the park, don’t forget to bring a kite and see how high you can fly it. Better yet, research how to build a kite and try your hand at making your own.

While you are out and about enjoying the parks, consider finding a good fishing spot. The metro is home to many good angling areas, from James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Area and Blue Springs Lake on the Missouri side, to Shawnee Mission and Kill Creek parks on the Kansas side. These same areas also have opportunities for hiking and camping, which are also some of the most classic summer activities.

A weekend filled with fishing, hiking and camping is an inexpensive way to enjoy the best summer has to offer. It’ll teach the kids how to have fun outdoor entertainment without spending large amounts of money.

"My family loves being outdoors in the summer,” says Lee’s Summit mom Kim Ketteman. “Water balloon fights, kite-flying and reading books in the shade of a big tree are some of our favorite activities. The season is perfect for scavenger hunts of all kinds, like bug types and flower colors." 

A well-rounded summer includes activities both at home and out and about. Lee’s Summit mom Jessica Talley says she enjoys going on hikes with the kids, as well as digging holes, riding bikes and enjoying sidewalk chalk. They also have themed days, where they pick something like STEM-related activities, a field trip, a community service project or reading activities to focus on for the day. She says their STEM days are usually on Mondays and can include activities such as an egg drop, solar ovens or catapults.

With such fun activities, be prepared for you home to become a popular place. “I always have extra supplies because sometimes a friend or neighbor joins,” Talley says.

Whatever you do this summer, remember the best memories can be made while sharing simple activities.

Allison Gibeson is a freelance writer from Lee’s Summit, and she enjoys going for hikes in the summer.