Hey, friends! As fabulous as summertime is, it can be challenging for parents, grandparents, and babysitters, am I right? I mean, it’s great having the kiddos at home, but it can also be tricky coming up with fun activities for them to keep them busy on a daily basis {especially without spending a fortune}! I know if I had a quarter for every time LC whines, “What should I dooooo, Mommy?” I could buy Starbucks for life! So, I asked some of my favorite blogger friends to share some of their best ideas to beat summer boredom, and they sure delivered!
Here’s a roundup for you of 20 fantastic and fun things to do with kids this summer. There are things that will appeal to boys, girls, toddlers, teens, and everything in between! Enjoy!
These Easy Homemade Finger Paints from Repeat {Cr}after Me are not only washable, they’re also edible! I don’t know that you’d want to sit and eat a jar-full, but if your little artist happens to decide it would be fun to lick their paint-covered fingers, no worries! All the ingredients are perfectly safe. So, pull out some paper and let even your littlest crafters go to town!
How adorable is this No-Sew Sock Elephant from the awesome Kirsten at One Tough Mother?! I so want one for myself!!
Do your kids have green thumbs? Enjoy planting things and watching them grow in these handmade Tin Can Family Planters you can decorate! Make them look like family members, monsters, or anything you like! Thanks to Nancy at Do Small Things With Love for the idea!
Older girls, even tweens and teens {or moms too} will enjoy making these fun Color Blocket Bobby Pins from The Thinking Closet. All you need are some bobby pins, painter’s tape, and nail polish…take a look!
Is your child a game-lover like LC? Take a look at this fun and super-cheap way to make your own travel Tic-Tac-Toe from Sewing Barefoot!
Sensory Jars from Craft and Repeat are not only simple and inexpensive to make, they will also provide hours of fun for kiddos who won’t realize they’re also learning in the process!
Do you have a paint-lover or two in your house? Let them have a blast making a mess that turns into something fabulous; a Paint-Drip Planter! LC loved making this and keeps begging to do it again!
I don’t know about you guys, but I have fond memories of flannel boards. As a child, I remember “reenacting” various Bible Stories on them during Sunday School each week {remember how there was always Jesus in the blue sash, two or three disciples, and then a big clump of people?}. Nicole from 365ish Days of Pinterest shows how you can make a really cute travel sized flannel board from a wipes case!
I can’t think of a kiddo {mine included} who wouldn’t enjoy making these Felt Braceletsfrom Pitter & Glink; they’re fit for a diva or a superhero!
Kids of all ages will enjoy making and playing this Glow-in-the-dark version of BINGO from In a Blink!
Tara from Suburble has some great and inexpensive Art for Kids’ Spaces ideas, including some they can make themselves!
Here’s another great project for tweens and teens from Organized 31; break out the puffy paints a’la 1980 and create some Decorated T-shirts! Younger kiddos can have fun with puff paint and t-shirts too, although the designs will obviously be simpler {and probably messier}!
While you’re busy making personalized shirts, here’s a fun twist on it; make Bleach Washed T-Shirts like Emily from Nap Time Creations! A great way to get new life out of an old top!
Want to bring the beach home with you? Recreate it with this fun Paper Plate Aquarium from Tales of the Scotts!
Everyone has toilet paper rolls around the house; why not decorate a few and turn them into these adorable TP Roll Fish like The Craft Train did?!
Any TP rolls that don’t get made into fish can double as stamps to decorate this Reusable Canvas Bag! LC had a blast with this project.
The older crowd will love these Full Bloom Watches from Mellywood’s Mansion!
These Busy Bottles from Solace Amid the Chaos will keep them busy for hours!
Have toddlers? This Summer Bucket List from A Mouse in my Kitchen has a ton of activity ideas perfect for that age group…and most of them look pretty fun for mama too!
See? I told ya there was a little something for everyone on this list! Which projects do you think you might try this summer? {Even if you don’t have kiddos at home, some of these look pretty fab, like those bobby pins and that sock elephant…I’m just sayin’…}! Well, enjoy, my friends!
Hugs & Glitter,
Kirsten @ One Tough Mother says
July 8, 2013 at 9:03 AMFabulous round-up Amy! Thanks for showing off my sweet little elephant 😉 The blog looks AWESOME!!!
dancers4life says
July 8, 2013 at 2:08 PMBut of course! I love it! Thanks!
Bethany says
July 8, 2013 at 9:12 AMThanks so much for including my bracelets! This is a great collection of fun ideas. I LOVE the new blog look, by the way!
dancers4life says
July 8, 2013 at 2:08 PMThanks so much, girl! I’m glad you like the new look! 🙂 Me too! And your bracelets are so fun!
Mom says
July 8, 2013 at 11:45 AMGreat ideas…I think I ‘ll have to try some of them… 🙂
Kim S. says
July 8, 2013 at 3:26 PMThanks for the feature, Amy!! You’re the best!!
Brianna @ craftandrepeat says
July 8, 2013 at 3:33 PMThanks for sharing my sensory jars! I’m going to have to go check out a lot of these, because they look AMAzing!!
Nicole Burkholder says
July 8, 2013 at 4:43 PMThanks for featuring my felt board case 🙂 And yes, I laughed out loud when you mentioned the Jesus in the blue sash, a couple disciples and a random crowd of people. I think all flannelgraph came from the same place 🙂 My mom has been a Sunday School teacher for over 30 years, and I used to LOVE playing with her pieces on the couch. Fun memories 🙂
Lauren @ The Thinking Closet says
July 8, 2013 at 4:45 PMHonored to have my color-blocked bobby pins included in the mix. Thanks, Amy! And I don’t even have kids yet, but want to do ALL of these. Pinning and tweeting!
Susan says
July 9, 2013 at 9:33 PMThanks for including my 80’s Inspired T-shirts. It’s exciting to see all the fun ideas.
Eva scott says
July 10, 2013 at 9:20 PMThanks for sharing my aquarium!