Summer is just around the corner and keeping the kids busy can be tough some times. Here are some suggestions to get your kids active and involved!
- Go to a Rodeo. The clowns at this show have a very important and dangerous job. They keep the riders safe from the Bulls!
- Learn how to tie various knots. The folks at WannaLearn have a great resource for Knot Tying.
- Go to the Zoo and observe the animals. What are they doing? Why are they doing it? Ask for a tour!
- Blowing bubbles is now an art form! Find out how to make the best bubble solution and blow the best bubbles at The Bubbleshere.
- Get mom, dad or the babysitter to help you make some tye-dyed shirts and blouses! Here are some tye-dying instructions.
- Make a fleet of paper airplanes! The folks at WannaLearn have instructions on how to build some great ones.
- *Sniff* *sniff* *sniff* What’s that smell. Oh no! It’s time to wash the dog again.
- If you belong to Girl Guides or Boy Scouts, it is that time of year when you will be going on a fun-filled camping trip! Don’t belong to the group? Ask mom or dad if you can join. It’s great fun for the whole family.
- Pack a picnic and go to the park or beach. Don’t forget the sun screen and bug spray!
- Grab a good book and head to the beach. Set up your towel or beach blanket, a beach umbrella and sunglasses. Make sure you have a drink nearby. You’re all set to enjoy your book.
- Kick off your shoes and walk barefoot in the sand and grass. After a warm rain it is great to jump in puddles barefoot too!
- Go swimming at the local pool. Take along a few friends.
- Start a rock collection. Keep your collection in boxes, bags, shelves in your bedroom or plastic containers.
- Build a bird feeder and hang it up outside where you can see it through a window.
- Collect seashells from the beach. You can make some cool crafts from shells.
- Make a beach in a jar!
- Have mom or dad take you to a local farm to pick berries. Bring a large pail, latex gloves, sun hat, sunglasses, a drink, wipes, sun screen and bug spray.
- If you see a local fruit and vegetable stand at the side of the road, stop and buy some produce.
- Take a stroll with an adult along the boardwalk. Take in all the sites and sounds around you.
- Feed the Ducks and Geese at the lake or local park. They love day old bread. Watch them swim around and play.
- Grab a cool refreshing drink and watch the people go by on your city’s main street.
- Bored at the beach? Try beach combing! Look for shells, smooth colorful rocks and small pieces of wood that wash up on the shore. Make a collage of your treasures.
- Go on a scavenger hunt with groups of friends! The Youth Online Club has a variety of hunts to choose from.
- Pack your camera and take pictures of all the interesting sights you see. Make a photo album.
- Swim at the beach. Pack beach balls, nets, whiffle balls and golf clubs, shovels, rakes and pails.
- Lay out and sunbathe. Make sure you wear a good waterproof sun screen that is applied a half hour before sunning yourself. Do not sunbath between 2:00 and 5:00 in the afternoon. The sun rays are at their strongest at this time.
- Take up golfing. The folks at GolfOnline has a great site on Golf for Kids.
- Go to your local marina and watch the boats coming in and leaving.
- Watch a sunrise or sunset.
- Pick some wildflowers and make a pretty arrangement for mom.
- See an Art Exhibit.
- Ask mom or dad to let you try windsurfing. It’s a lot of fun once you get the hang of it.
- Outdoor concerts are great in the summer. Take one in.
- Get mom or dad to build a bonfire at the campsite or beach.
- Cook on the campfire! Make sure mom and dad are there to help you out.
- Join a baseball or soccer team. Don’t want to play? Watch baseball on TV.
- Grab the binoculars and take up bird watching. Can you identify the various bird songs you hear?
- Grab dad, grandpa or your favorite uncle and go fishing. Check out these fishing tips for kids.
- Gaze up at the stars and learn the constellations. Check out these cool resources on Star Watching.
- Build a Sandcastle.
- Make a Kite and fly it at the beach or park.
- Try as many different flavours of ice cream as you can. Make your own Sundaes or Milkshakes.
- Walk your dog. Or, start a dog walking service and walk your neighbour dogs.
- Take a bike ride along the countryside.
- Try organic gardening.
- Get your parents to take you on a train ride. If you live in Sault Ste. Marie, the Agawa Canyon Tour Train is a fun ride every season!
- If your parents or friend have a boat, try water skiing this summer.Water ski Safety.
- Throw Frisbees at the park. Bring your dog and play Frisbee with him/her.
- Make a ritual of taking a half hour or hour long walk every night with your best pal.
- Instead of heating up the kitchen, barbecue outside (let mom or dad do this) or order in some pizza.
- Camp out in the backyard for the weekend. Have a camping party with kids from the neighborhood.
- Head out to your local Dairy Queen and have a special treat on a hot day.
- If your family is going out for supper, ask to be seated on the patio.
- Take up Rollerblading or Skateboarding. It’s great exercise and lots of fun.
- Instead of taking a bus everywhere, ride your bike. Make sure mom and dad know where you are going and what route you are going to take.
- Follow a Nature Trail or take a Nature Hike with a Ranger.
- Take Tennis lessons.
- Go horseback riding or take lessons.
- Get out of the heat and visit your local library.
- Avoid dehydration and drink plenty of Spring Water.
- Take up jogging with a pal.
- Dig for clams at the beach. Try some of these Clam Recipes.
- Play basketball with the neighborhood kids at the local playground or school ground.
- Plan a pool party with your friends at the local public pool. Have pizza and ice cream after swimming.
- Try a variety of Hamburger and Hot Dog Recipes!
- Create a mobile out of objects from nature that you have collected over the summer.
- Collect pennies in a penny jar that you have found on the ground during the summer.
- Make an erupting Volcano.
- Plan a slumber party and have fun with your friends.
- Clean up your room, garage, attic or cellar and have a garage sale! You can visit garage sales too.
- Volunteer at the local Humane Society to walk and groom the animals. Volunteer at the local soup kitchen or thrift shop.
- Instead of playing online or video games, pull out game boards or cards and play with friends and family. Take advantage of the good weather and play outside on a picnic table.
- Play with sidewalk chalk. Craw pictures or games. Leave messages for friends in their driveways or walkways.
- Get a bunch of friends together and clean up the park or roadway. You’ll need large garbage bags, sticks with pokers on the end and heavy gloves.
- Build an Ant Farm. These little creatures are truly fascinating.
- Take a tour of a working lighthouse.
- Take up painting. Paint a sea- or landscape.
- Sing songs around the campfire.
- Tell some cool and scary campfire stories! MAke sure you have a friend to hold onto.
- Listen to music outside while you wash the car, clean up the yard or hangout.
- Take the time to learn sign language. You never know when you will need it.
- Start a journal. You can have a real life journal or an online one.
- Get a group of friends together and write a play. Create a set and put on the play for friends and family.
- Create a scrapbook of funny cartoons. Cut them from the newspaper, magazines or make up your own!
- Redecorate your room. Ask mom and dad if you can rearrange it, change the paint color or paint your furniture.
- Make a miniature English Garden.
- Go to a coffee shop for Ice Tea and Donuts.
- Play hopscotch or skip with your friends.
- Paint your finger- and toe nails with bright colors. Add some sparkle polish.
- Go to the fairs and carnivals that come to town.
- Go to an aquarium and learn about ocean life. Or, start your own aquarium.
- Play outdoor games with your friends.
- This is a great time to play Hide-And-Seek.
- Build a tree house with dad. Customize it to make it all your yours. Be sure to paint it with outdoor paint so it will hold up to the elements.
- Learn some magic tricks! AllMagic.com is very cool magic site offers downloads and articles for learning card magic and illusions.
- Become a mad scientist and try some of these cool experiments. You can also try this site for some really super cool things to do! Fun Science Spells and Experiments.
- Take that snowball you saved in the freezer out and get your brother or sister! Make sure the ball has not turned into an ice ball instead of a snowball.
- Make an obstacle course in your backyard and challenge your friends. See who can complete it successfully in the shortest time.
- Play horseshoes!
- Do as much as you can outside and enjoy the beautiful weather while you can. You can cook and eat outside, run through sprinklers, take long walks, play sports, read a good book and lots more!