The temperatures are rising and the schools are out of session. It can be a boon or a bane. It is a boon when you no longer have to stay up all night meeting deadlines or at work, jotting down boring papers. But, it can be a bane if you do not know what to do with all this free time. This time is perfect to spend some quality time with you loved and near ones.
This is the time when families get together to spend some quality family time with each other. The time when people search for distant family members and those they’ve lost touch with to reconnect, The days are longer, which means there is more playtime. You need to take advantage of your summer by spending as much quality time you’re your family as possible. From learning how to grow roses to hosting family tournaments, here are some ideas on how to spend the summer months for you and your family:
Hiking
Hiking is one of the cheapest and easy ways to get out of the house and have fun with your family. When it comes to fun, hiking is the best there is. It takes very little equipment and no special skills; it is a great time to bond, explore the nature and get some exercise, all at the same time! However, like almost everything else, it takes a little more preparation, especially when heading out with the kids.
When hiking for the first time with your family, start small. It is better to build up over time to see how much distance your family is able to hike in a single day and get a grasp of it slowly. You need to carry things like a magnifying glass, a notebook, a compass, or a small camcorder to record findings and the fun of hiking. Over a period of time, you will notice a great family bonding over a small hiking session.
Gardening
While it may look like gardening does not require much physical movement or looks fun, you will be surprised to know what it takes to build a garden in your backyard from the scratch. Gardening is a fun experience that can teach your children a lot. Although it is a very intimidating experience, you should not be scared Children having the opportunity to decide what vegetables and fruits to grow is very motivating. Also while gardening in sandy areas, you need to take precautions to prevent sand flea bite.
They will also learn about nature and health; creepy crawling creatures will no longer make them nervous. As a whole, the family will develop communication, organization and curiosity. It will also encourage emotional and social development for the family over the summer months. You will have fun, all while growing a lot of green vegetables and fruits for your diet, which will also save you money spent on groceries. You will swell up with pride with the ‘fruits’ of your efforts.
Sports
Being physically active with your family is a great way to stay healthy and make exercise fun. Playing sports with your family will ensure everyone has improved health and quality time is spent together on a daily basis. Family gatherings are a perfect time for team sports and outdoor activities like kickball, basketball, softball, cycling, shooting games with Gel Blaster guns, etc.
If you are a large family, you can hold mock family tournaments so that everyone can participate in different types of sports. This will engage the entire family, right from children to grandparents. Such tournaments can be done easily in your backyard and will give some good workout session and laughs together. After such a great sporting session of the family tournament, a nice barbeque party will end it perfectly.
Scavenger hunt
Some of the most memorable family activities for the summer include scavenger hunts. A scavenger hunt is a series of hunts in several locations as family members compete to capture the most items on the scavenger hunt list. A scavenger hunt requires a concept and a single or series of locations. The basic idea is to create a list of things that family members need to find within the time limit.
There are many different types of scavenger hunts that can involve your whole family during the summer months like the nature scavenger hunt, neighbourhood scavenger hunt, a photo scavenger hunt or a downtown scavenger hunt. This is a type of family activity that does not cost a huge amount of money, but it builds amazing family memories. You just need to make sure the scavenger hunt is not difficult for children and older members of the family and does not require much physical strain.
Swimming
The four main reasons why swimming is a great family activity are hugs, giggles, splashes and squeals. It is, of course, a great form of exercise and a way of getting away from the television. Swimming is slowly becoming one of the most popular leisure activities for families all around the world. It is a great place to have some fun, along with building many family memories that will last for a lifetime.
Swimming is also a year-round activity; it does not just have to be summer time to dive into a swimming pool. You can introduce your baby to swimming as it is good for development and learning. Children can further develop their awareness of water safety and will be confident while swimming. For parents, it is a great exercise and also a fun environment. It allows a lot of family bonding time. Even if you are not a great swimmer, it is the perfect opportunity to have some fun with your family.
These are some of the best summer activities that will keep you and your family entertained, happy and active the whole season. As you grow older, you will start spending lesser time with your family. Therefore, a family get-together during the free and long summer months is a must for everyone!
There are tons of different outdoor fun activities that you will enjoy doing with your family. While you may think most of these activities are made for kids alone, you will have more fun than them, all while going back to your childhood days.
