☀️ It’s here! Summer has arrived!
Ok, well maybe the calendar says summer solstice falls on Saturday, June 20, but the kids are out of school, and in our house THAT’S the official kick-off of summer. After the strangest school year in history, a zillion zoom calls and all the “fun” distance learning had to offer, we are ready for this break. While our cities are starting to reopen, this year definitely won’t look like summers past, but fear not, we can still have an amazing summer. Here are some ideas to help you kick off your summer fun.
1. Stay up late night 🌛
While it’s a good idea to keep a loose summer schedule, keeping the kids up, even just 30 minutes later than normal, is a great way to celebrate summer. Late nights where kids can sleep in just a little longer than normal can be a real treat for your children. Of course, if you have a teenager, this is probably happening anyway.
2. Ice Cream Party 🍨
Surprise the kids with a build-your-own sundae bar after dinner. Swing by Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream in Upland and pick up one of their sundae packages which includes everything you need for delicious sundaes: ice cream, 3 toppings, whip cream & cherries. Nothing says summer like ice cream.
3. Movie night 🎬
Pop some popcorn and grab your candy! The whole family will love a movie night under the stars in your backyard. You can use your own projector and a large tarp or sheet, or even just project the movie on the side of your house. If you are feeling extra festive, you can hire Starlight Movie Nights to come set up one of their giant inflatable screens. Invite the neighbors to watch (easy to do while still social distancing) and everyone can pitch in for the movie rentals.
4. Camp out at home 🏕️
Pitch a tent in your backyard and set up a home base for the day. Play outdoor games, go on a bike ride, build a backyard fire pit, make Campfire Crescent Dogs and don’t forget the S’ mores. If you don’t have a lot of outdoor space, use your living room and create your campground there. Pitch a tent or put up a fort, make your own flameless fire pit, read books, play games, plan a treasure hunt and make trail mix.
5. Have a water play day 💦
Surprise the kids with water balloons, super soakers or even a simple slip and slide. Filling up water balloons takes no time at all if you use those fancy, self-tying water balloons. Spend the afternoon cooling off and playing water games with the family. Finish the afternoon with a snow cone or popsicle treat.
With so much change and uncertainty this year, summer is a breath of fresh air. Summertime fun can be easy and sometimes the simplest things create the best memories. 🌞Get out there and enjoy your summer!
