*Originally posted on FathersofMultiples.com
Fun & Sun! Summertime means school's out, summer vacations, swimming, & beach trips! It's time to get out and enjoy yourself along with your family, doing fun family Summer activities. Whether you're getting into nature or getting into water (or both), get out of the house and get out from in front of the TV or video games.
As the old beach music song goes, "summertime is calling you." Since we were kids, summer was spelled F-R-E-E-D-O-M. As we've grown up...summer still seems to hold that magic within it. Even though we don't get out of work, pools open, grills get lit, and at least our kids get their freedom.
What better way to bond with your family than by getting out and making Summer activity memories together?
Beach Trips
Head to the ocean. Play on the beach. Bury someone in the sand (as long as they're willing). Build a sand castle. There's always so much to do at the beach. Besides the natural options, the best beaches also have fun boardwalks and pavilions filled with fun activities like miniature golf, arcades, water slides, and more!
Miniature Golf
What says fun better than extreme competition between family members? It doesn't matter if you're hitting balls between windmill blades, into a lion's mouth, or around wooden obstacles, whoever gets the lowest score wins bragging rights. Forever. This is one of our favorite Summer activities, no matter the score.
Swimming
When summer hits, it's time to swim. Lakes, oceans, pools, wherever you can! Learn different styles and strokes for swimming, perfect your dive or cannonball. How about playing Marco Polo for the millionth time. This week. Just remember your water safety and to protect your skin!
Splash Pads and Parks
Summer is a great time of the year to get out to parks in your town and have fun hitting the slides or playing in splash pads. This addition to our list of Summer activities is great because you can have all the fun of the season, and leave the mess and expense of having a pool somewhere else!
Kayaking, Canoeing, and Boating
Whether you're heading out for exercise or just a peaceful getaway, getting out on the water is a great way to bond with your family. The smaller the boat, the closer you'll get...literally. If you're not in a hurry to get anywhere quickly, you can even have the kids do the rowing for you!
Outdoor Movies and Concerts
These always come around in late spring and summer as towns provide free family friendly movies and concerts for the people that live in or near them. The selection is usually local bands, but every so often you can find up and coming, once were, or even currently big name bands.
Grilling Out
Some call it barbecuing. Others call it cooking out. You might just call it grilling. What you'll do for sure is call it tasty! Cooking the perfect food on the grill has become a badge of honor for dads everywhere. So, throw on the burgers on the grill, and breed some jealousy amongst the other nearby dads.
Take in a Game
Head out to a game and enjoy some baseball action while cheering on your home team. If you're brave enough, you can even cheer for the opposing side. No matter the side you choose, no game is complete without sharing some hotdogs and crackerjacks with the ones you love at a game.
Fishing
Fishing is a fun summer activity to get out and do alone or with your kids. Alone, it's zen-like. With kids, fishing is a time honored tradition. Just remember the opening credits of one of America's favorite TV shows, The Andy Griffith Show. Andy and Opie making their way to their favorite fishing hole.
Camping
I've heard some like camping in the winter...but nope. Too cosld. Summertime is the best time for this type of outdoor activity. Hot Dogs and S'mores around a campfire. Crickets singing their lullaby. Sleeping under the stars. If anything, you may get too hot...so...back to the swimming suggestion!
Get out and do even one of these Summer activities, and your summer will be well on its way to becoming epic. Do three or more, and it'll be a summer never forgotten by you or your children. This is how memories are made. Go create some this Summer.
Check out some of our other seasonal activities.