We have omly 5 days of school left, add to my list of summer fun activities!

[CookiePie]

If your children are in school all year, what are your plans for making the summer fun & memorable? I'd love to spend lots of days at the beach both the ocean & lake, as well as the town pool. I want to keep the kids busy, but fun & relaxed. Some nature walks, bike rides, time to swim, time to do gymnastics in the back yard, jump rope, lots of art projects, time at the library, time to sit under a tree & read a book or draw, time to walk to the farmers market & pick out some local produce, time to tend our small garden, time to get the kids in the kitchen helping with dinner more, maybe a couple of day trips when DH has time off work, maybe even some camping. I know if they get bored that is when they get under each others skin. DD1 wants to go to day camp for 2 weeks, & DD2 wants to do a once a week program through our town. So that leaves lots of time to make memories & have fun! I don't want the tv on much at all I want to get up in the morning eat breakfast, pack a cooler & go on an adventure more often than not. I don't want the grocery shopping to become so mundane that the kids beg me to wait to shop until Dad is home from work. My girls are 13 & 7, & the age gap is really showing these days, their interests are just different. So come one insightful Mamas please add to my list!

[Addy's Mom]

I don't know about the 13 year old, but the 7 year old might really enjoy it -- how about a farm stay vacation? It's like a bed and breakfast, but on a farm, and your kids (and you) can help with milking cows, feeding goats, gathering eggs, etc. You could do it for just one or two nights if you want.

Oh, and when I was 13, I volunteered at the local library helping to mend books and do other library stuff. I only did it once or twice a week, but it was a great learning experience for me. Maybe there's something like that the 13 year old might enjoy.

[velcromom]

would it make shopping more interesting if you split up the list and gave the kids each a cart and part of the list?

Is there space in the garden where they can plan and plant in an area just their own? would they like to grow a bean or morning glory teepee or tunnel?

How about a self-pick berry farm for a morning's adventure? We planned to go this weekend to a cherry farm but the weather has been so cool, they aren't ready yet.

For a change from the pool, maybe you can find a local swimming hole. Our rivers are too fast and cold for the little ones but the creeks that feed it are fun places to take the kids.

Catch a baby praying mantis and raise it... or polliwogs.

[annethcz]

My kids are participating in organized activities all summer long (music lessons, dance, gymnastics), which will help to break the days up. We also have a standing Wednesday playdate with some close friends and a Thursday park day we'll participate in. We'll also go to the library at least once a week.

I have a lot of the same plans as you do- hiking, parks, beaches, pools, camping, the occasional museum, and lots of parties/bonfires on the weekends.

[LaughingHyena]

Are they into crafts at all. If so maybe a trip to the library or some internet searching and they can each find something they want to learn. Personally I'm hoping to sit in the garden and knit while the kids play.

Cooking is another thing we like to focus on in the holidays. When I am in a rush after school to get a meal on the table is not my best time to be trying new recipes so we like to do that when things are a bit more relaxed. I like the idea of combining that with trips to a U pick place.

[One_Girl]

Your teenager might enjoy having her own pool pass so she can bike to the pool on her own if that is something that is possible where you live. Having sleepovers can also be a fun thing, especially for the teenager. We have a bunch of museums in our area with cheap days and really cheap year long passes so that is something we enjoy in the summer. We also took a lot of road trips to go hiking, which was sometimes fun and sometimes not. My mom used to get us a workbook that we had to do in the summer also. They have summer bridge books that have a page or two of different activities to do each day. Having one day a week to just relax at home is really nice too. I loved having a movie day when I was a kid because our lives were so busy with friends, school, and errands. Don't forget to build in time for relaxation. When my brother and I were tired of going places we were more prone to bickering and whining even when we were older. I think a family meeting to touch base and plan activities together is a good idea also.

If your teenager is old enough and interested then babysitting may be something to encourage her to take up. Some places have classes for teenage babysitters. That would give her time out the house and extra money to spend.

[beanma]

Look for some live music! There's tons of outdoor shows in the evenings and on the weekends around here and that's something that really appeals to a wide age range.

We're hoping to hit some museums, spend a lot of time at the pool, go to the beach for a week, maybe go camping and renovate our kitchen!