We still haven't officially wrapped up our school year yet, but I'm gearing up for the summer now. I like the idea of a long, lazy summer where we all sleep in and just spend the days relaxing, but a) my kids still don't know how to sleep in and b) it's not really a realistic plan for us. I do want us to have lots of free days to do whatever we want to do, but there are also some things we need to accomplish, so I've found that going into the summer with a plan is the best way to make sure we keep some sort of balance. Here are a few ideas you may want to consider!
The Fun Stuff: We'll be doing VBS, the cheap summer movies, summer library programs, and lots of swimming this summer. There are so many different fun–and cheap–activities around that you can keep plenty busy! Make sure to follow MetroFamily Magazine on Facebook so you don't miss out on the fun!
Camps: In the past we've done a week of day camp in Oklahoma City and made a little vacation out of it. I can't say enough good things about the programs at the Sam Noble Museum and the OKC Zoo! With a house on the market, three pets to care for, and regular visits to my grandma in her new home, though, a week away isn't going to work for us right now. This year we're staying local (the Tulsa area) and I've signed my son up for a Lego camp at the Discovery Lab and my daughter is going to a sewing camp. No matter where you live, there are some really unique opportunities for some fun summer camps!
Learning: Because of the crazy year we've had, we'll probably keep going with math and reading through most of the summer, and when it's the end of July and there's really nothing that sounds fun to do outside, I think we'll all be okay with that. One extra thing we'll start this summer is learning about South America as my friend bikes the length of the continent. I am really excited about this and will be sharing more about it with you later this summer!
Summer Adventure Boxes: In the past, we've done Summer Adventure Boxes, which I still love, but I just don't think I can pull off this year. They are so much fun, though, and I hope to get back to those next summer. Whether you have a box for each child or one that your whole family shares, this is a great way to explore different topics that might get left behind during the regular school year.
The "I'm Bored" Box: I just came across this great idea in this post on Five Steps to a Fabulous Summer Plan. I may not be able to get a whole adventure box together, but I do have lots of little fun activities and things I've picked up here and there and then haven't had time to use them during the school year. I think this will be a big hit with my kids!
I think with these things and a few road trips here and there we'll have lots of fun this summer. I can't wait!
