We're in the thick of summer, and although the first day of school is definitely in our sights, most people around the country still have a few weeks to go. And if you're a parent, we definitely won't blame you for being ready for the kids to go back to school. It can be exhausting trying to figure out how to entertain them every day, especially when it's so hot outside.
Fortunately, there are a few tips and tricks you can use to make summer go by smoothly and still have fun (with just a bit less stress). Whether you're chasing out of toddlers or listening to your big kids complain about how bored they are, it can be a lot, but there are ways to make it a bit easier.
Read on for summer parenting hacks that will help you have more fun and less stress during the hottest time of the year. Hang in there — fall will be here before you know it!
More from CafeMom: 15 Ways To Make the Most of Summer Vacation
Break Up the Day Into a Routine
A full day of entertaining kids of any age can feel like it drags on forever, so creating a daily routine can help break the day up and make the time pass — and in the morning, you aren't agonizing over what to do that day. Plan times for meals, a nap (or quiet time for bigger kids), daily outings, outside play, and whatever works for your family.
Rent an Inflatable
This can be a bit pricy, but well worth the cost — and even better if you can split it with a friend or neighbor. To switch things up (and buy yourself a lot of time to just sit in a lawn chair with a cold drink and a book), rent an inflatable moon bounce or slide. Rentals are often available for a day, a weekend, or even longer.
Kid Charcuterie Boards
One of the roughest parts of the parenting slog is constantly trying to come up with meal ideas — and trying to get your kids to eat that meal, which is another battle entirely. Give yourself a pass for lunch and put out a party tray or charcuterie board with fruits, cut up veggies, cheese, crackers, pretzels, whatever you think your kids will pick at. Done!
Do Snack Prep Ahead of Time
If your kids are like mine and are constantly asking for snacks, it can save a lot of grief and a lot of time through the week to prep those snacks all at once or twice a week. Wash and chop up fruits and veggies, and separate dry goods into serving sizes, putting them in individual bags or containers your child can open without assistance.
Create a Car Kit
How many times have you arrived at the splash pad only to discover that you forgot a towel? Making a car kit that lives in your trunk can help make getting out of the house faster and eliminates the struggle of not having what you need. You might want to include towels for each member of your family, sand toys for the park, a change of clothes for each child, and sunscreen.
Involve Kids in Vacation Planning
If you're planning a family vacation this summer, it can be a lot of fun to get your kids involved in the process. Not only will it get them excited and make them feel included, but it will also keep them busy. You can assign older kids to research activities and restaurants at your destination, and younger kids can help make a countdown calendar and packing lists.
Don't Fear Screentime
Everyone approaches the concept of screen time differently. Some parents try to avoid it, and others truly do embrace it. But it's summer, and if it will help relieve you of some stress during the day, it might be worth it to loosen whatever your rules around TV and tablet time are temporarily.
Popsicles: the Ultimate Mom Hack
My daughter would eat 17 popsicles per day if I let her, and truly, they're the perfect tool to keep in your back pocket. Almost anything can be negotiated with a popsicle. In fact, when she doesn't want to take a bath, I offer a bath popsicle, and she's already halfway to the bathroom. The novelty of it works every time!
More from CafeMom: 20 Ways To Keep Kids Entertained on a Rainy Summer Afternoon
Discover New Parks & Playgrounds
To mix things up, look up all the parks in your area — usually, you can find a list on your city or county's official website — and start a mission to visit all of them. It can be a fun way to discover your new favorite park and keeps kids interested if they're getting bored with their local playground.
Assign Daily Tasks
Give each of your kids a short, age-appropriate list of tasks to complete each day. They don't have to be chores, either — just tasks they need to do before they can tell Mom they're bored. It could include ways to help around the house, such as making their bed and feeding the pets, along with fun stuff, like coloring a page in their coloring book or jumping on the trampoline 20 times.
Make Sunscreen Applying Easier
If you have a little one who hates using sunscreen, it can easily make every outdoor outing miserable. One way to make this more pleasant is to apply the sunscreen with a makeup brush. It's less "scary" than the sunscreen that comes out of the spray bottles, and it makes it easy for them to help apply it.
One Word: Water
Aside from popsicles, water is going to be your best friend this summer. Most kids need to be dragged away from anything involving water, guaranteeing you hours of entertainment. Visit a splash pad, buy a membership to your local aquatic center, set up an inflatable pool and sprinklers in the backyard, or do all these options.
Go Backyard Camping
Real camping can be fun, but backyard camping is a lot easier (and you can run inside to use your own toilet, which is a game changer). Set up a tent in the backyard, make s'mores, and enjoy the great outdoors … and if anyone gets homesick, their beds are just a few feet away.
Grow Fruits & Veggies
Starting a garden can be a wonderful way to teach your children about growing their own fruits and vegetables and it can be a relaxing way to spend free time — not to mention the actual food you can get out of the deal. A lot of kids enjoy helping to care for the plants and watching them grow.
Plan Ahead for Next Year
The best time to prepare for next summer to be easier is right now. As summer winds down, watch for outdoor toys, inflatable pools, and swimsuits to go on clearance while people shift their gears to preparing for back to school, and you'll be glad you did when next summer comes around.
More from CafeMom: How To Manage Working From Home With Kids Home for Summer Break
