Summer Fun On Shoestring Budget

Vintage Homeschool Moms

Summer Fun On A Shoestring Budget ~ Episode 527

The summer is in full swing, and you have weeks left before school starts. How do you instill summer fun in the remaining months? What can you do to keep the children from fighting or saying those dreaded words, “I’m bored!” In this podcast, veteran homeschool mom, mom of five, and grandmother of nine will share tried-and-true activities to keep the kids learning, mostly without them knowing!

Visit the MediaAngels.com website for fun ideas and planners you can print and use.

So, it’s summer or some other time when the children are finding it difficult to use their time wisely. Maybe you are similar-minded and feel that children should not be on a tablet, computer, or television most of the day. What do you do when they’ve exhausted their normal activities and find they’d rather bother each other than find something else to do? This is the time I pull out the activities I save for the proverbial “rainy day,” even if the sun is shining brightly. These activities tend to keep the children occupied and having fun.

Summer is a time to learn a new skill, my children learned to ride bikes in the summer. Or, start a new hobby or sport. Maybe you’ve wanted to teach your children about the explorers or classical music. I wanted to do a classical music study around Christmas and never found time, but I switched it to the summer, and it was so much fun. Even if the children never loved classical music the way I do, they enjoyed learning about the composers and learned how to identify different musical instruments in an orchestra. In the winter months, we attended a concert, and they enjoyed it because they understood a little about compositions and the instruments.

I group my activities into different categories. Ones that don’t take many supplies, just brain power, and others that do take supplies that I try to have on hand. Either way, the results are the same. Mom is happy, and the kids are happier! I break down my list into Indoor and Outdoor Activities and then further break down into the following groups: few or no supplies, some supplies, and many supplies.

Here is a free summer printable for you with ideas: HERE

Indoor Activities for Summer Fun:

Few or No Supplies:

• Scavenger hunt
• Word Cross or Activity Pages (try our new planners just for kids – there are pages you can use for this activity)
• Puzzle pages
• Make your own puzzle

Some Supplies:

• Coloring pages
• Drawing with pencils, colored pencils, or markers
• Paper airplanes
• Make a fort with sheets
• Read
• Write a story (story starters)

Many supplies:

• Arts and Crafts
• Painting
• Kite Making
• Water balloons
• Balloon crafts
• Homemade rockets

Outdoor Activities For Summer Fun:

Few or No Supplies:

• Nature walk, see and identify
• Bird watching
• Wind activities
• Collect (rocks, shells, etc.)
• Races / Tag / Hopscotch, etc.

Some Supplies:

• Run through sprinklers, slip, and side, or swim
• Fly kites
• Bug catchers
• Make a fort with sheets
• Make giant bubbles

Many supplies:

• Cook with the sun
• Contests: beach ball (how long can you keep it up?) timer
• Create a map that starts with your yard, neighborhood, etc.
• Map the grocery store (park, etc.) without going, then visit to see how accurate.
• Nature hike with backpack and supplies
• Picnic in the backyard or park

Does this list help you to think of ideas of your own? I hope so, and I’ve included some other links for you to explore with even more ideas.

More Summer Fun Resources:

Summer Fun Water Pressure

Summer Fun: Write A Book

Summer Fun Project: Write A Book

Summer Fun: Family Business

Summer Projects For Families

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