Summer is here.....so what now?

Summer is here, now what?  How do you keep kids occupied, keep them learning, keep down the gimmies, take me's and chaos?

We are trying some new things this summer and some old standbys but they do seem to be helping.  

1) Take advantage of free activities

a) we are going to VBS

b) summer program at the library

c) going to the park

d) museums are free or low cost sometimes, we have a free one near us

e) go fishing

f) game time or game night

g) movies under the stars

h) camp out in your own backyard

i) free movies

These activities thrown in with good old free time outside like making mudpies, playing with the waterhose, blowing bubbles and riding bikes are always fun too.

We are also making this a summer of giving where the kids are learning to do for others. (see previous blogpost on here for ideas on this).

As for chaos, we are having somewhat of a schedule, they have free time, tv time, outside time and quiet time to draw or read.  Another thing that is helping with chaos is 10  minute clean up.  Periodically and any time activities change we have a clean up time.  Only takes a few minutes and you are not faced with a mountain at the end of the day.

These are some things we are doing and trying, what about you?  How is your summer going?

God bless,

Pat