Think back to summers during your childhood…what do you remember fondly? Some of you may recall a big vacation to Disneyland or the Grand Canyon. Maybe you are thinking of the year that your parents put in a pool or the brand new bike with a banana seat and handlebar streamers. But I’m guessing that in addition to those big events, you also look back and think of all of the little things that were magical about summers as a kid: Catching fireflies in a mason jar, eating popsicles on your back steps with colored juice running down your arms or lying in the grass under a tree in your backyard reading your favorite book. Those seemingly little memories are a big part of what makes childhood so special. Here are some ways to make memories this summer with your children that don’t require a lot of effort or planning but will last in their minds for years to come.
Change the Rules
Part of the fun of summer is that the rules can be relaxed. No more rushing to school in the morning or doing homework all evening! Take that attitude a little farther sometimes and change the rules for a day so that your kids can do things they never get to do. Let them stay up late and go look at the stars. Break that “no treats before dinner” rule when the ice cream truck comes down the street at 5:00. Brighten up a rainy day by letting the kids stay in their PJs and have living room picnics while watching movies. Even better…let them play in the rain in their swimsuits, then hunt for worms afterwards!
Revisit Your Childhood
In these days of technology and schedules and over-programming, sometimes we forget that our kids enjoy simplicity, just like we did when we were growing up. Think back to the things that brought you joy as a child and try them with your own children. Catch fireflies, make your own popsicles in an ice cube tray and camp out in the backyard. Unplug for the day and just spend time enjoying a park or riding bikes. Play baseball in the back yard, put out the slip n’ slide, walk to an ice cream shop, set up a lemonade stand. Relish the little things.
Make Your Own Traditions
Ordinary things can become special when you make them into a tradition. When you think back to your childhood, you probably think of a few things that your parents “always” did with you each year. My mom always made our birthday cakes herself, and I remember all of the fun designs she would come up with. Brookside mom Rachel Twenter suggests planting a garden with your children. Do this every summer and build up lots of great memories of planting and harvesting in the backyard.
Let Them Take the Lead
Many times I come up with elaborate plans for the day, but I find out that what my kids really want to do is play hide & seek or dig in the mud. Let them decide sometimes. Jennifer Mundie and her two kids create a “Summer Fun List” every year filled with things her kids want to do from picking blueberries to taking day trips. They enjoy crossing things off the list as the summer goes on. Another idea is to pick a day for each kid and name it “[Insert Kid’s Name Here]’s Special Summer Day.” Let the designated child pick everything that day…what’s for breakfast/lunch/dinner, activities for the day, friends to invite, places to go. Some kids will come up with grand plans; some may choose to spend the day at the pool just like every other day. No matter what they pick, go with it and make them feel like the queen/king of the day!
Take Part in Community Activities
I have a lot of great memories of the “After Harvest Festival” in my small hometown: parades, carnivals, ice cream socials and more! Just because we live in the city doesn’t mean we can’t find these kinds of quaint community traditions. Our Brookside homeowners’ association has the cutest little “Freedom Parade” on July 4th, and there are many of those around the city. Decorate those bikes and scooters and let your flags fly! More opportunities for community fun include Old Shawnee Days, Santa-Cali-Gon Days, the Missouri State Fair and so much more. Visit www.KCParent.com for a full calendar of community events that you can make into family memories.
No matter how you choose to make memories with your kids this summer, enjoy the little things, take lots of pictures and be a kid again!
Sara Keenan lives in Brookside with her family and can’t wait to make lots of summer memories with her kids this year!