As excerpted from the Orthodox Christian Parenting

We are right in the middle of summer. For many parents, this means that they have more time and/or a different schedule with their children. There are so many ways to spend that additional time! Below is a list of some great ideas that can be tucked away if and/or when you would like to offer your children an idea of something to do.

If you already have ideas and plans with your children, that is awesome! You will not need these ideas! If you would like to add to your list of “things we may want to do”, perhaps something here will be of help to you. Check them out as you have time and energy.

Either way, God bless you and your family as you enjoy the summertime together!

● Before you get bogged down by too many ideas and the feeling that you must have every day scheduled for your children’s summer vacation, treat yourself (and your family, by applying your learnings) to this podcast. You will find that is an hour well invested: Healthy Minds Healthy Souls

● The title may make this seem as though it is just for “littles”, but the myriad of kitchen-ingredient doughs could be fun for any aged child! 27 Taste Safe Sensory Play for Toddlers and Preschoolers

● Here are fun ideas for your own backyard that will challenge your children to play and exercise: 31 Fun DIY Backyard Play Areas The Kids Will Love

● If your children are the crafty sort, you may want to take a look at these beautiful things that they can make with items found in nature: Breathtaking Nature Crafts for Kids

● Here’s a compilation of cool and clever ideas for summer fun! 50+ Fun Things To Do In The Summer

● If you have a beach ball or two, you’re all set for these fun games: 20 Beach Ball Games

● From games to art, here’s a fabulous, screen-free collection of ideas of things kids can do: 50+ Screen-Free Summer Activities for Kids

● Here are some gender-specific idea collections. (We recommend that you look through both, though, because children like to try all sorts of activies, and the fun is not gender-specific!) 25 Summer Activities for Boys and 25 Summer Activities for Girls

● Check out these fun science experiments! 25+ Must-Try Summer Science Activities for Kids

● Turn your backyard into a play space – or a gameboard! Check out these fun ideas: 35 Ridiculously Fun DIY Backyard Games That Are Borderline Genius

● Giant painted “mural”, anyone? Waffle cone s’mores? Ice cube stacking? Here’s a large collection of fun summer ideas! 60 Days of CHEAP Summer Fun!

● For the artists among us (or those who are willing to inspire their children to explore art), there’s this: 58 Summer Art Camp Ideas

● These family fun ideas are all wet: The Best Outdoor Water Activities to Keep Your Kids Cool This Summer

Sources:

• https://orthodoxchristianparenting.wordpress.com/2019/06/26/on-family-fun-ideas-for-summer/

• https://www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/hmhs/summertime_parenting

• https://team-cartwright.com/taste-safe-sensory-play/

• https://www.funlovingfamilies.com/diy-backyard-play-areas/

• https://www.howweelearn.com/breathtaking-nature-crafts-for-kids/

• https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/72221/cool-activity-ideas-summer/

• https://www.birthdaypartyideas4kids.com/beach-ball-games

• https://selfsufficientkids.com/screen-free-kids-activities/

• https://www.moritzfinedesigns.com/25-summer-activities-for-boys/