As a busy mom, I need all the help I can get keeping my kids entertained during the summer.

I’ve compiled a list of fun ideas to beat the summer boredom.

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Go OUTSIDE!

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Go bird watching. Plant fresh herbs. Look for shapes in the clouds. Make fairy houses with

items found in the yard. Pick your own fruits and veggies. Collect leaves and make a leaf

booklet of all the different trees in your neighborhood. Take a walk in the rain.

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But it’s RAINING!

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Have a movie marathon. And do it in a pillow fort. Have a lego building contest. Put up a tent

inside. Make a time capsule and bury in the yard on the next sunny day. Play cards (this is a lost

art). Get the whole family involved in a home project (paint a room, clean the kitchen cabinets,

go through old toys).

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Let’s GO SOMEWHERE!

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Eat at a “diner”. Find and enjoy a free outdoor concert. Go to a movie in a park or a drive-in.

Have a picnic. Take a hike at a state park. Find the closest waterfall to your home and make it

an adventure. Watch a minor-league baseball game. Visit a historic site. Visit the farmer’s

market or take a trip to a local working farm. Go to a library!

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Use your BRAIN!

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Read a book of riddles. Teach the kids to bake (this uses serious math skills). Interview an elder

or veteran. Read a book. Read a book out loud. Write a book and illustrate it. Learn to journal.

And challenge those problem solving skills by putting together a puzzle. Summer homework-

eek- I said it- but it needs to be completed.

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Create ART!

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Go to a creek, collect rocks, paint them! Make sidewalk chalk art. Dress up and have a

photoshoot. Write a song and perform it, with instruments. Write and act out a play with

costumes. Press flowers. Draw a self portrait.

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EXERCISE!

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Create a backyard obstacle course. Learn to ride a bike or scooter. Climb a tree (with

supervision). Fly a kite. Go fishing (take grandpa). Have a bubble gum bubble blowing contest.

Play water balloon baseball. Make your own slip and slide. Have a hula hoop contest, parents

vs. kids. Canoe or kayak a local river. Play croquet. Play tennis as a family. Run around the

block!

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Summer is all about fun and games. Make the most of it. Find joy in everything and enjoy those

closest to you while you can.

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HAPPY SUMMER!

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Stylishly yours,

The Chelsee Sowder Design Team

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