School’s Out for SUMMER
The bell rang one LAST time during the month of June! School is OUT! That only means one thing… Summer, here we come! The teachers are as EXCITED as the students. With that being said, it is easy to infer that I, myself, am a teacher. It has been one unusual/weird school year due to the pandemic, but, nevertheless, we have made it through. We could not wait to hear that bell ring once more!
The First Few Weeks
As a teacher, I spend my first weeks of summer at home, relaxing. It is a much-needed rest that has been long overdue. However, after the first two weeks of being home, lounging around the house, boredom creeps up on me. Until, finally, IT STRIKES! I am tired of being in bed, cooking and cleaning all day, and just watching television. As a result, I think, there is NO way, I will ever survive my summer vacation that way!
Fighting Summer Boredom
Oh, I love summer! But, honestly, after a while, I get bored. It is the same routine, day after day. There is no way that I will ever live through summer without things to do, for myself and the kids.
Outdoor Activities
Just imagine yourself lying in a hammock, feeling the summer heat, sipping on a nice, cold homemade lemonade, eyes shut, just soaking it all in.
Many outdoor activities, for mommas and their kiddos, are perfect for summertime!
- Sidewalk Games: Kids can play games on the sidewalk created with chalk. Hopscotch is very popular, but games, such as Tic-Tac-Toe can also be played. In fact, they can even create their very own board games! How cool would that be?
- Plant a Garden/Butterfly Garden: I enjoy plants and flowers. Nothing says summer like a garden filled with beautiful rainbows of colors.
- BBQ: Invite family/friends over and have a BBQ. Grill up some mouth-watering burgers, juicy hot dogs, and savory chicken kabobs. Mmm! So yummy!
- Water Games: This is a great time to take out those inflatable pools, run through the sprinklers, or have a water balloon fight with the kids!
- Backyard Picnic: Grab your favorite blanket, a basket, some fruits, some juices, and ham and cheese sandwiches and enjoy a nice picnic out in your backyard with the kids!
- Cloud Gaze: Name things you see.
- Star Gaze: Nighttime just brings a sense of peace and relaxation.
More Outdoor Activities
- Lemonade Stand/Popsicle Stand: How fun would this be? Make homemade lemonade or popsicles, create a stand, and sell/give some to your neighborhood, with the kids. Be creative when building the stand.
- Garage Sale: Sell goodies to your neighborhood.
- Beach Day: Take trips to the beach alone or with the kids. Soak in the sun, enjoy the sound of the waves and your toes in the sand, as you read a good book.
- Build a Birdhouse: Create a colorful, wooden birdhouse with the kids. Fill it with bird seeds. Enjoy bird watching!
- Visit the Library: Select great summer reads. Get lost in a book.
- Ride a Bike: Take a ride along a park or your neighborhood. Enjoy nature.
- Camp Out: Bring out that tent, blankets, pillows, and flashlights and create a camp out with your kids, right in your backyard! Tell stories or jokes, and enjoy family time!
Indoor Activities
Indoor activities can also bring fun to your summer! Yes, cleaning out your closets and decluttering and organizing your pantries and cupboards are a great way to fight summer boredom. But, let’s face it! Are these things really fun?
Fun Indoor Activities
- Summer Movies: Have movie nights with the family. You can even enjoy a movie on your own.
- DIY Projects: Get creative! Is there something around the house you want to repair? Or simply, is there something you want to build? A bench, a porch swing?
- Scrapbook: Gather photos! Look back at beautiful memories!
- Bubble Bath: Soak in a bubble bath. Relax, momma! You deserve it! Create a spa ambiance with candles, dim lighting, and relaxing music.
- Dance/Workout: Get it shaking, momma!
- Hobby/Knitting: Learn a new hobby like knitting!
- Bake/Cook: Try a new recipe or cook up that favorite family meal you have not done in a while.
- Puppet Show: Take some socks, googly eyes, and create sock puppets! Put on a puppet show with the kids!
Summer boredom can be easily fought!
Some of the best memories are made in flip-flops. –Kellie Elmore
