GRISWOLDDAD
Parenting, Entertainment, and Travel Tips
Fun Things to Do in Summer
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 activities. Get into nature, get into water, but either way, 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 equaled no school, freedom, no responsibilities, and vacation. 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. So, what better way to bond with your family than by getting out and making 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!
And, yes, that's a picture of one of my boys eating sand on his first trip to the beach. He didn't like being covered with it and, for some reason, thought licking it off was the solution. Picture taken, picture kept, teasing to come in later years!
Swimming
When summer hits, it's time to swim. Lakes, oceans, pools, wherever you can!
Take in a Game
Head out to a game and enjoy some baseball action while cheering on your home team and enjoy a hot dog and some crackerjacks!
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...even if you have to shave some putts off your totals to beat your kid's score...
Parks and Splash Pads
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.
Backyard Grilling
Some call it Barbecuing. Others call it Cooking out. Still others call it Grilling.
All call it tasty!
Kayaking and Canoeing
Whether you're heading out for exercise or just a peaceful getaway, kayaking can fit the bill. Take the kids with you and let them do the rowing for you!
Outdoor Movies and Concerts
These always come around in late spring and summer and could have just as easily fit under "Fun and Free", but since they're geared towards warmer weather, they'll fall here with "Seasonal Fun." Towns provide free family friendly movies and concerts for the people that live in or near them. Lots of times, they have local bands but ever so often you can find up and coming, once were, or even currently big name bands.
Fishing
Fishing is a fun summer activity to get out and do alone or with your kids. Alone, it's zen-like...sure. But, parents and kids fishing together is a time honored tradition. Just remember the opening credits of one of America's favorite TV shows, The Andy Griffith Show as Andy and Opie make their way to a pond, carrying their fishing rods.
Camping
Ok, so I know some like camping in the winter...but nope. Too cold. Summertime is great time for this type of outdoor activity. If anything, you may get too hot...so...back to the swimming suggestion!
Get out and do even one of these activities, and your summer will be well on its way to becoming epic. Do as many as you can, and it'll be a summer never forgotten by you or your children. Either way, your kids will appreciate the effort!