Categories
Family Activities Outside Fun Parenting Summer

A Helpful Guide to Introducing Your Children to the Beach for the First Time

The beach is a magical place, full of fun and adventure. Whether you’re going to the beach with your children for the first time or have been visiting regularly, it’s essential to help them become familiar with the environment before they arrive. Here is a guide on introducing your children to the beach and making their experience safe and enjoyable.

*This post contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you.*

Introducing Your Children to the Beach for the First Time

Preparing for the Beach Visit

Before heading to the beach, ensure that you have everything you need. While packing for a beach trip, consider what activities your children will enjoy, and bring the appropriate gear.

Start by packing a bag with essential items, such as sunscreen, hats, towels, swimsuits, and water shoes if needed. Then, to make it more enjoyable for your kids, shop here for beautiful kids’ swimwear. 

Depending on your location, there may also be additional items to consider. For example, if you head to the beach during the summer, having an umbrella or pop-up tent can help provide shade and keep your family cool.

It is also helpful to research different beaches before heading out so you and your children feel comfortable with your surroundings when you arrive. Looking them up can help determine the one that suits your children’s needs and interests.

Once you have chosen a beach destination, plan out what activities your family will participate in while visiting; this allows everyone to know what to expect and look forward to during their stay. Simple activities such as building sand castles or having a picnic lunch can make all the difference in providing fun experiences for parents and children!

Explaining the Beach Environment to Your Children

Explaining the beach environment to your children is essential to preparing them for a beach visit. Teaching children about the ocean’s ever-changing environment and how it interacts with its surroundings can make a difference.

When visiting the beach for the first time, explain to your children how ocean currents can bring in different types of creatures, such as sea stars, jellyfish, crabs, and more. Make sure they understand that although these creatures are interesting, they should never pick or touch them as they can be dangerous. 

You can also tell your children why sand is so soft and what causes it to become wet or dry. And tell them about the dangers of the sun, especially when you are on the beach. The sun can be dangerous at the beach, so ensure children know where to find shade when needed. They should also know when to stay out of direct sunlight during peak hours, typically between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Teaching Safety at the Beach

Teaching children about the dangers of strong currents and riptides at the beach is essential. Rip tides are powerful channels of water that flow away from the shoreline. They can quickly drag swimmers out to sea if they are not careful. While swimming, it is essential to be aware of any signs of a rip tide and stay as close to shore as possible. Parents should also take note of any warning flags posted by beach lifeguards; these flags indicate potentially dangerous conditions in the water, such as strong rip tides or currents. 

Swimmers should also be aware of other hazards when visiting the beach. These include large waves, hidden rocks or debris underwater, and even jellyfish or other stinging creatures that may inhibit certain areas. Staying safe while swimming in these areas is essential to observe any posted warnings before entering and pay close attention to lifeguards’ instructions while in the water.

Another risk is water temperature. Ocean temperatures can vary dramatically depending on location. It is especially true in shallow waters where cooler temperatures exist closer to shore than in deeper waters. Because of this, parents should ensure their children wear appropriate attire for swimming in warm and cold waters so they can enjoy their time safely without risk of hypothermia or other serious issues resulting from prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures. 

Maintaining Good Health at the Beach

When visiting the beach, prepare to keep your children healthy and safe. Staying hydrated is a key factor to consider when spending time in the sun. So having plenty of water or other hydrating drinks available will help keep your children refreshed and energized. 

Apply sunscreen liberally and often. Waterproof sunscreen with broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection offers maximum protection against harmful rays.

Clothing should also protect from the sun. Opt for lightweight materials such as cotton or linen, which allow air to circulate while blocking harsh UV rays. Wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses, and long sleeves can also help protect your children’s delicate skin from the sun’s damaging effects.

As you ensure good health, tell your children why you do it. Introducing your children to the beach for the first time is the perfect opportunity for them to learn.

Taking Care of Nature at the Beach

Taking care of nature at the beach is essential for any experience. It’s vital to teach children the importance of leaving no trace at the beach, cleaning up trash when they’re done, and respecting wildlife habitats. 

Picking up any litter left behind by others is a great way to teach children how their actions can help contribute to a cleaner and healthier environment.

It’s also important to explain why certain areas may be roped off or designated as protected areas. These areas are often home to animals and plants that could be harmed if disturbed. Kids need to understand that these areas must be respected for them and future generations to enjoy them in the same condition.

Additionally, parents should take this opportunity to explain ocean pollution, what causes it, and how it affects marine life. Understanding the dangers of ocean pollution can lead children to make more eco-friendly choices at the beach. For example, avoiding sunscreen with chemicals like oxybenzone that harm fragile coral ecosystems. Teaching children about ocean conservation will go a long way in helping create a more sustainable future for our planet.

Making Lasting Memories with Your Family at the Beach

Creating lasting memories with your family at the beach is essential to any beach vacation. There are several ways to make your time together truly special and unforgettable. 

First, consider establishing family traditions such as:

  • having a picnic lunch or dinner on the beach
  • playing favorite beach games like bocce ball or building sand castles
  • having regular beach bonfires
  • taking long walks along the shoreline at sunset or sunrise
  • so much more

Another great way to capture these memories for years to come is through photography—taking photos can help you remember those special moments in time and look back on them fondly. Consider setting up a tripod for group shots that include the entire family and getting creative with different poses. You could also capture beautiful nature shots or have your children pose in front of their creations. They could make a sand castle or a unique work of art crafted out of shells and driftwood. Just be sure to take some time to get in some of the photos yourself too! 

And remember to take home something from your day at the beach as a souvenir! It could be anything from shells gathered from the shoreline to various pieces of driftwood collected during low tide. Each one will be special and provide an anchor for many wonderful memories made during your trip. Taking home these items also reminds you to talk about what you did together and why it was so enjoyable. 

Recap: Introducing Your Children to the Beach

The beach is a fun and exciting environment for families to explore together. However, introducing your children to the beach for the first time can help create lasting memories and foster a deep appreciation of nature. By following this guide, parents can ensure their children have a safe but memorable experience at the beach. 

Categories
Adulting For the Home Gifts Holiday

12 Amazon Prime Day Must-Haves

Amazon Prime Day (AKA: Christmas in July) happens only one time per year, and Amazon offers TONS of amazing deals you can’t find any other time. I love Amazon all year long, but I’m even more fond of it in July. Prime day is on the 15th and 16th of this month, and I couldn’t be more excited.

Since I am an Amazon Affiliate partner, I get early access to Prime Day deals and a sneak peak of the deals to come. It would just be rude if I kept all of this awesome info to myself, so I’m going to share it with you, too!

***This post contains affiliate links. It costs you nothing extra, but I may receive a small commission.***

Amazon prime day must-haves, must have electronics, must have kitchen gadgets, must have home items

Amazon Prime Membership Perks

There are literally SO MANY benefits for Amazon Prime members, it’s probably impossible to list them all. Just so you can get an idea of some of the best benefits, though, I’ll give it my best to list as many as possible.

  • Free shipping (sometimes same day!!)
  • Awesome deals that aren’t available for non-members
  • Watching movies and TV shows
  • Free games
  • Ad free music

How to Join Amazon Prime

It’s so easy to join Amazon Prime. All you have to do is click the image below, and you’ll be taken straight to the sign-up page. You can do a free trial at first to make sure you love all the awesome features and exclusives that come with it.

You can cancel at any time, so there is no commitment if you sign up. It’s super easy to cancel, too. You won’t have to deal with calling anyone or waiting a certain amount of time, you can simply cancel right on the Amazon website (although I’m certain you won’t want to cancel).

Must-Have Prime Day Deals

  1. Fire TV Stick
    amazon fire tv stick, amazon prime day
  2. Instant Pot
    instant pot, amazon prime day
  3. Bosch Drill
    Bosch Power Tools Combo, Drill Set, Bosch Drill, Gifts for Him
  4. Robot Vacuum
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  5. Laptops
    laptop sale, amazon prime day, must have electronics
  6. Amazon Echo Dot
    Amazon Echo Dot, Amazon Prime Day, Must Have Electronics
  7. Kindle Paperwhite
    Kindle Paperwhite, Amazon Prime Day, Must Have Electronics, Book Lovers
  8. Phone accessories such as this wireless charger
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  9. Xbox 1
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  10. PlayStation 4
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  11. TVs
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  12. Air Fryer
    air fryer, Amazon Prime Day, gift ideas, must have kitchen essentials

Final Thoughts On Amazon Prime Day Must-Haves

There are going to be SO MANY awesome deals on Prime Day, and there are even some offers leading up to the actual even, so the sooner you sign up the better! What items are you hoping to find for a good deal on Prime Day? Tell me about them in the comments!

Other Blog Posts Featuring Amazon Products My Family Loves

Categories
Big Kid Big kid fun Parenting Sensory Play Summer Toddler and Preschool Age Fun Toddler and Preschool Age Learning

Easy Sensory Play With Sharks

Do you want to know my favorite thing about summer? It’s how easy it is to throw together a fun, last minute summer activity. Chances are if there’s water involved, then the kids are having a blast. This is why easy sensory play ideas are so awesome.

Every single day when we go outside, we are filling the water table up and grabbing the dinosaurs to play. When they get bored with the dinos (which takes a while but does happen), they start splashing each other and fighting. Since I love their easy outside sensory play so much and didn’t want it to be spoiled, I had to get creative and come up with some fun and easy sensory table ideas. One of our favorite easy sensory table ideas is the shark sensory play.

Lots of times, my 2-year-old uses sharks with dinosaurs, which is pretty exciting for him. I love watching him use the two together and make the dinosaurs and sharks interact. He really gets to use his imagination.

Easy and fun sensory activity, sharks in the sensory table, sensory ideas, easy sensory

***This post contains affiliate links. It costs you nothing extra, but I may receive a small commission.***

Our Water Table

Our water table (I also refer to it as a sensory table, so please forgive me if I switch back and forth) has two sides; one is intended for sand and the other for water. I have to replace the sand about once a week, and if they run out too soon they just get water. I’m a mean mom, I know, but they really don’t mind.

I love our sensory table because of the two separate sides and a lid to keep sand clean and dry. Another perk is that it fits my 3 littles without a problem and they have plenty of space to play. It also comes with some dinosaurs, a cup with a handle, and a cup with holes in the bottom. Oh, and it comes with a shovel and a rake, too.

Dino Dig Sand & Water Table, sensory table, water table, sand table, dinosaur sensory table, dinosaur water and sand table, sensory play
Click here for the link

Now I know this is a dinosaur table, but there are so many fun sensory ideas out there that we sometimes have to just ignore the dino effects. 😉 It works out great, and I’m so happy this is the one we chose.

It’s lightweight and easy to clean, which is always a plus for me because I hate when their toys start getting yucky and are a hassle to clean. My toddlers help me with the cleaning, if that says anything.

Other Material For Easy Sensory Play With Sharks

Using sharks in the water table is so easy, as you can simply hand over some sharks and let them get to it, or you can make it a little more exciting by using color changing tablets to make blue water for the sharks to swim around in. I like to use the Crayola bath fizzies, which makes the water fizzy at first but eventually just changes the color of the water.

crayola bath fizzies, bath color changing, water color changing

This time, however, I used blue bath paint. It’s actually soap but it’s all I had at the moment, so we went with it. My littles LOVED it. Plus, their toys got a little scrub down, too. 😉

We went to dollar tree to buy sharks for the kids, but Liam chose a whale instead. See what I mean when I say easy sensory idea? It’s no big deal if your kid wants to change it up a bit, just go with it. Whales, Sharks, whatever little man wants. 😉

Putting It All Together – Sharks in the Sensory Table

So, once I have all of my material ready, I put it all together. I filled the sensory table with water and then let the kids add the stuff to change the color of the water. They really enjoy that part, so I always let them do it.

That’s it! Give your kids the sharks (and whale in my case), and let them play with their sharks in the sensory table. Sometimes I sit with them and we talk about sharks (shark facts, stories, etc.). Other times I just read a book nearby and let them play together. I’m telling you, easy sensory play can be a blast.

Easy and fun sensory activity, sharks in the sensory table, sensory ideas, easy sensory

What easy sensory activities do your kids love? I’d love to get some more ideas!

Categories
Holiday How To Sensory Play Summer

How to Make an Easy 4th of July Sensory Bottle

Sensory bottles are one of my favorite ways to make a holiday more exciting, and this 4th of July sensory bottle was a hit with my kids. This sensory activity keeps the kids busy as they make the sensory bottle and watch the glitter and small objects swirl together and settle back into the bottom.

Making a sensory bottle is easier than it sounds, and you don’t need many materials. You can also substitute the materials I recommend for something else you have on hand already.

*this post contains affiliate links*

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Benefits of Sensory Bottles for Kids

Research shows that sensory activities benefit children in many ways. It promotes their mental health, encouraging emotional regulation, relaxation, and tension relief. Sensory activities stimulate interest, promoting curiosity and encouraging a child to learn and explore.

Sensory bottles help build sensory skills by stimulating the senses. The differing colors, objects, sounds, and materials help. Additionally, when the child touches the bottle to turn, twist, shake, or squeeze, it furthers the sensory experience.

Sensory bottles stimulate fine and gross motor coordination. They also help a child focus as their eyes follow the movements. It encourages them to be present and set aside distractions.

How to Make a 4th of July Sensory Bottle

Materials:

  • A clear bottle (recyclable water bottle, tea bottle, or a glass jar – I used an empty vinegar bottle)
  • Water (from the tap is fine)
  • Glitter glue (I used the silver from this one, I probably should have used 2 of them)
  • 4th of July necklaces (or confetti)
  • Hot glue gun
glitter glue, sensory bottles, glitter for sensory bottle, craft glitter glue

Directions:

  1. Empty and clean a clear bottle.
  2. Fill the bottle 3/4 of the way up with water. You will fill it more after you add the rest of the materials.
  3. Add 1- 2 bottles of glitter glue, depending on the look you are going for. I used 1, but I wish I would have used 2. My bottle is larger than a regular water bottle, however, because I used a vinegar bottle.
  4. Cut 4th of July beaded necklaces into small pieces and put them into the bottle of water and glitter, or use 4th of July confetti instead of the necklace pieces.
  5. Fill the bottle the rest of the way with water.
  6. Replace the lid, and hot glue it shut.
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Final Thoughts on 4th of July Sensory Bottle

Sensory bottles are easy, fun, and so much fun. This 4th of July sensory bottle was a great way to kick start our July 4th celebrations. What fun activities do you have planned for Independence Day?

For more sensory fun, click here. Or, you can read other 4th of July ideas in a separate post by clicking here.

Categories
Adulting Big Kid Big kid fun Family Activities Holiday How To Parenting Summer Teenager Toddler and Preschool Age Fun

4 Simple Ways to Celebrate the 4th of July at Home

Independence Day is one of my favorite holidays, and in my eyes, it’s the highlight of summer. On the 4th of July, my family normally celebrates by going to a barbeque, playing in the water, spending time relaxing outside and watching fireworks. I also try to do something fun to teach my kids about the meaning of the day.

This year, we will be celebrating at home and I want to make sure we have a good time. I also want to have a simple and relaxing day, so I had to come up with a plan to make the 4th of July simple and exciting.

Fun fact: I love learning new facts, so it wouldn’t be me if I didn’t research things we don’t know about the 4th of July. Another fun fact, I also like to share my random information, so:

things you didn't know about the 4th of july, 4th of july fun facts, Independence Day, July 4

4 Things You Didn’t Know About the 4th of July (but now you do)

Although I teach my kids about the reason for celebrating Independence Day there is still quite a bit we didn’t know, and I wanted to change that this year. I mean, are we really even American if we don’t know a few fun facts about Independence Day?!

1. While the Declaration of Independence was formally adopted by Congress on July 4th, it was actually voted for on July 2nd. Because of this, John Adams celebrated the 2nd of July as Independence day and reportedly turned down celebration invitations on the 4th of July.

2. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on July 4, 1826. They are also the only two who signed the Declaration of Independence who then went on to become President of the United States.

3. The tradition of lighting off fireworks began on the one year anniversary of America’s independence.

4. Americans consume around 150 million hotdogs on the 4th of July.

This post contains affiliate links. It costs you nothing extra, but I may receive a small commission.

Simple Ways to Celebrate the 4th of July at Home

1. Have a barbecue.

It isn’t July 4th if there is no 4th of July barbeque. The traditional meal of hamburgers and hotdogs with delicious side dishes is a popular way to go, or you can spice it up and offer steak instead. We’ll probably be doing the hotdog/hamburger method since my kids don’t tend to appreciate a good steak.

For 4th of July barbeque ideas click on the image:

4th of July barbeque ideas, ideas for the 4th of July

2. Wear 4th of July themed clothing.

It’s more fun to dress up for special days, and it’s easy to dress up for the 4th of July! Your kids will always remember that part of the tradition, and you’ll get some great pictures out of it!

4th of july outfit, daddy and me 4th of july, july 4th outfit
Matching 4th of July t-shirts (click)

3. Plan fun 4th of July activities.

You can do crafts, sensory activities, games, or even go on a scavenger hunt. Whatever fun activities you plan, your kids will love it, especially if it’s Independence Day themed. For some ideas, check out my post 6 4th of July Crafts and Activities.

If you want to create an easy sensory bottle to celebrate, check out this post:

4. Watch fireworks.

No matter where you celebrate from or what you plan to do, you have to watch fireworks! If you or your kids don’t like loud noises, try sparklers instead. Fireworks (or something similar) are a must when it comes to simple ways to celebrate the 4th of July at Home. They are actually on our Summer Bucket List, and I can’t wait to cross that one off!

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Final Thoughts On Simple Ways to Celebrate the 4th of July at Home

The 4th of July doesn’t have to be crazy, expensive, or stressful in order to have a good time. A low key and relaxing event can make the day more special to you and your family.

What are some of the ways you plan to celebrate July 4th this year? Tell me about it in the comments!

Categories
Big Kid Big kid fun Family Activities Parenting Teenager Toddler and Preschool Age Fun

15 Ways to Give Your Child a Perfect Day

Whether it is for a kid/parent date, a special day for your birthday boy, or a day that’s just all about [name of child here], there are plenty of reasons to give your child a perfect day. With 5 kids in our house, it is SO hard to give the kids the undivided attention they desperately crave, which is why I decided to come up with the “perfect day” idea for my kids.

It all started when I began implementing scheduled dates where each child would get one on one time with one parent. Chris (my husband) and I take turns taking the kids on dates, one at a time.

I got tired of having to spend a ton of money each time, however, and had to start brainstorming more child/parent date ideas that were relatively inexpensive. That is when I decided to start having some of the dates be all day adventures, full of things that my kids love to do but I don’t always get the time to participate in.

Give your child a perfect day, perfect day for birthday, perfect one on one day

How to Give Your Child a Perfect Day

1. Make their favorite breakfast.

There is no better way to give your child a perfect day than to start it out with their favorite breakfast. If they want to help cook or prepare it, definitely let them do it, but, if not, you can put on their favorite cartoon and let them relax until it is time to eat. My kids always choose pancakes, waffles, bacon, or all of the above LOL.

2. Go to the park and actually play with them on the playground.

I’m guilty of taking my kids to the park and then finding a comfortable place to sit and read a book, especially with my 5 year old. Now that he’s more independent it’s easy to let him play on his own, even though I know he loves it when I actually play WITH him. When I’m giving him a perfect day, however, we do things like play tag, hide n seek, or the floor is lava on and around the play equipment.

3. Go on a nature hike, and spend time noticing the little things.

Some of the parks we go to have trails that go through the woods, but if we are playing at one that doesn’t, we have nature trails nearby. The Dahlem Center is our favorite place, and I like to let the kids choose which way we go. We’ve been hundreds of times and I still don’t think we’ve seen all there is to see there.

Walk with your child on a trail and look at every little thing they point out. If they want to walk slowly, you walk slowly, too. This day is just for them, after all, so let them set the pace no matter how much you want to hurry along.

4. Talk with them, but try to do more listening than talking.

Throughout the activities of their perfect day, spend time talking and listening to your child. There are so many things they want to tell you, but when you are surrounded by the rest of the family it may be hard to get it all in. Let your child express themselves and chat your ear off all day long.

5. Let them help you make a lunch of their choice.

Sometimes, instead of making lunch, we stop and have lunch at the place of their choice. If you do make the lunch at home, however, let your child help you. I find that one of the better bonding times spent with my kids is when we are cooking together.

6. Take a nap with them, or have quiet time with them.

Instead of putting them in their bedroom alone for nap or quiet time, go with them. Lay in their bed and just cuddle, talk quietly, or read books together. Just having you there with them will mean the world to your child.

7. Play their favorite outside game.

After quiet time, head outside for a while and play whatever your child wants to play. This is the perfect time for you to play those games that you normally don’t have time to participate in.

Give your child a perfect day, perfect day for birthday, perfect one on one day

8. Build a fort with them.

All of my kids like to make forts. They are constantly asking me to build one with them, but, on a normal day, I’ll enlist when one of the other kids to help instead. On their perfect day, however, this changes and I build the biggest and best fort with them

9. Watch their favorite movie in the fort while eating their favorite snacks.

Since you have to make the most of your fort, you should gather all the best snacks and bring them into the fort. We also like to grab pillows and blankets so we can get extra comfortable. Then, you should let your child choose a movie to watch from inside of the fort while you enjoy those snacks.

10. Take them to the dollar store and let them pick out a few items.

My kids choose their weirdest stuff, and that is perfectly okay. Oftentimes, we buy a package of balloons, blow them all up, and play games with those for a long time at home.

Other times, we buy paint and make artwork. You can even find dress up items and snacks that your kids will love! It’s not about the quality here, it’s just about giving your kid an amazing day.

11. Participate in whatever play activity they ask of you.

Don’t tell your child no today (unless it’s a safety hazard or expensive). If your child asks you to play, then go play! This is their perfect day, and they will love nothing more than you playing with them with all of their favorite toys.

12. Let the child choose and help cook dinner.

Okay, let’s get real here… you may not be able to keep your entire family out of the house for the entire day, so dinner time may include the rest of the family. Even so, this is still one child’s perfect day, so let them choose dinner and help cook it if they want to.

13. If they like baths, let them play in the bath extra long.

My kids LOVE bath time, but, with 3 littles who needs baths, I tend to rush them along. During their perfect day, though, they get to spend as much time as they’d like playing in the bathtub.

14. Read an extra book or two at bedtime.

I’m not one to say no to extra books anyway, but there is a point where I’m thinking I just want to go and read my OWN book LOL. The perfect day means they should get extra, however, so sometimes that means I’m reading to them for an hour straight or until they fall asleep.

We don’t just read the words, we also look at and discuss the pictures and events that are occurring in the book. With my 5 year old, I ask if he recognizes any of the words on the page, too.

15. Lay with your child as they fall asleep.

Allow them to ask questions or talk while you lay together instead of shushing them for bedtime. They’ll get sleepy and quiet eventually, and then they’ll fall asleep.

Give your child a perfect day, perfect day for birthday, perfect one on one day

Important Tips For Giving Your Child a Perfect Day

  • You must be present!

This is the first and most important tip. Your child craves your undivided attention, so make sure you’re giving it to them most of the day. This is their perfect day, after all, so put the phone, computer, laptop, tablet, etc. away and be present for your child.

  • Customize the day for your child.

Each child is different, so you may have to change things around a bit. With my daughter, we make time for DIY facials, mani’s, and pedis. This is our “thing”, so we make sure to do it each time. It’s her favorite part!

  • Listen to your child – even the things they aren’t saying.

If your child doesn’t seem to be enjoying an activity on their perfect day, move on! Definitely don’t take it personally, instead take note for next time that they would rather do something else.

Give your child a perfect day, perfect day for birthday, perfect one on one day

Final Thoughts On Ways to Give Your Child a Perfect Day

At the end of your child’s perfect day, your child will go to bed so happy and feeling so loved and noticed. There is nothing better than that, and it is something your child will remember for a very long time. If you make this kind of thing a regular tradition, your child will remember it for the rest of their lives and maybe even pass it along to their own kids someday.

You may also find that after you give your child a perfect day you’ll feel great, as well. While you may have skipped housework or other things you need to get done at home, seeing your child so happy and spending one on one time with them will make it all worth it.

What would you do to give your child a perfect day? Tell me about it in the comments! I may just add it to our own perfect day routine.

Categories
Big Kid Big kid fun Family Activities Holiday Our Family Parenting Printables Summer Teenager Toddler and Preschool Age Fun

19 Things to Do In Summer 2019 – A Summer Bucket List

We get 18 delicious summers with our children. This is one of your 18. If that’s not perspective, I don’t know what is.”

-Jessica Scott

Believe it or not, summer will be here before we know it. My big kids only have one week of school left, and my preschooler has been done for almost two weeks now. Our summer shenanigans are so close to starting that I can already feel it, hence the need for a summer bucket list.

This is the first summer in 3 years that I haven’t been a stay at home mom, but that isn’t going to stop us from having all the same fun as usual. I just have to plan a little more strategically to get in all of the same activities. One bonus, though, is that since I’m working this year, we’ll have a little extra money to do stuff we’ve had to miss out on in the past.

Since my littles are getting older and are able to express what they want, I’m excited to get their input for our Summer Bucket List. If you have been following my blog already, you know that I love printables, so, of course, I have a printable for my kids to fill in their own bucket list.

I created these printables last year, and my littles were still too small to understand the concept of filling in their own. My big kids loved it, though, so we are just using the same one again this year. I’m hoping my littles (ages 5, 3, and 2, BTW) will love it just as much this time around.

things to do this summer bucket list printable, summer 2019

Summer Bucket List Ideas

  1. Go to the beach
  2. Go to the zoo
  3. Make lemonade
  4. Have a water fight
  5. Have a bonfire, roast hot dogs, and make s’ mores
  6. See a dollar movie
  7. Go to a splash pad
  8. Have a cookout
  9. Visit a nature center
  10. Watch fireworks
  11. Watch a parade
  12. Catch fireflies
  13. Visit a library
  14. Go to a garage sale
  15. Play soccer
  16. Play mini-golf
  17. Go camping
  18. Make homemade pizza
  19. Go on a trip
things to do this summer bucket list printable, summer 2019

Summer Bucket List Printables

To start, I know these printables have more than 19 activities on them. I made them last year, and we loved them so much that I didn’t want to recreate a new one.

All 19 activities are on the list, so you can think of the rest of them as bonus activities. 😉 If you’d prefer to only do the 19, however, you can print a blank template and just write in the 19 activities to do this summer.

How to Plan The Summer

Since I have to plan a little more effectively this year, I created and printed some blank calendars for the summer months. I then looked at my summer bucket list and picked a date for each activity. I spread the activities out throughout the entire summer so that the fun can last the entire three months.

things to do this summer bucket list printable, summer 2019

Final Thoughts On Things to Do This Summer – A Summer Bucket List

Summer may seem like it will go on forever, but it’ll be over before you know it. You only have three short months to make memories with your kids before they go back to school, start a new grade, and grow a year older. Make the most of it this year so that you can look back with no regrets.
What activities do you make sure to do every summer with your kids?

things to do this summer bucket list printable, summer 2019
Categories
Big kid fun Family Activities Our Family Printables Teenager Toddler and Preschool Age Fun

Family Camping Trip – What to Pack

Before this summer I had never taken my kid’s on a family camping trip. Call me a bad mom or whatever, but I was terrified of taking 3 littles camping!

Well, we finally did it and I definitely don’t regret it. I would do some things differently and pack differently, but we will definitely be doing it again SOON.

It was so much fun and the kids loved it, so I took note during the process of things I needed that I didn’t think to pack, things I packed but didn’t need, and things that would have been nice to have.

Now I’m giving you the opportunity to learn from my mistakes!! I’ve put together a list of what you should pack for a family camping trip. I even included a section dedicated to packing for a toddler, a teenager, and a big kid. You’re welcome. 😉

family camping trip, what to pack when camping with kids, camping with toddlers, camping with teenagers

What to Pack for a Camping Trip

Bedding/Misc.

Tent (if needed)
Sleeping Bag/Blanket
Pillow
Sheets if staying in a cabin
Flashlights (flashlight tag anyone?!)
Glowsticks
Backpack
First aid kit
Cell phone & Chargers
Garbage bags
Clorox Wipes
Citronella Candle
A book
Lawn chairs
Beer bottle opener/corkscrew
Cash
Any necessary medication
Bug spray
Sunscreen
Bikes
Games (board/card)
Chairs
Bluetooth Speaker
Kayak/Canoe
Fishing poles

Clothing

Raincoat/jacket
Swimsuit
Tennis shoes
Clothes (2 outfits/day for everyone, more for younger children)

  • Shorts/t-shirts
  • Pants/Long sleeve shirts

Hats
Extra socks
Sweatshirt/sweatpants (in case it gets chilly at night and you want to be comfy)
Underwear (duh)
PJ’s
Flipflops
Extra shoes for everyone

Personal

Shampoo/Conditioner
Soap
Deodorant
Toilet Paper (You never know!)
Toothbrush/paste
Shower Bag
Hand Sanitizer
Lotion
Lip balm
Towels and washcloths
Bag for dirty laundry
Hair ties
Brush/Comb

Cooking

Camping dinners
Pre-prepped breakfast meals
Wine
Beer
Water
Gatorade (if you’re feeling nice)
Coffee/Creamer
Favorite snacks
S’mores ingredients
Condiments
Coolers/Ice
Firewood (Sometimes you have to buy this right at the campground)
Lighter
Plastic utensils
Paper plates
Napkins
Plastic cups
Tablecloths
Paper Towels
Grilling/Fire utensils
Foil
Skewers
Resealable Plastic Bags

Toddler Specifics

Toddler-sized chairs
Blocks
Lots of extra clothes (3 per day if your child is extra messy or the weather isn’t cooperating)
Sand/Beach toys
Life Jackets
Teddy bear/baby doll, favorite blankets
Baby wipes

Big Kid/Teenager Specifics

Football, baseball, volleyball, other sports equipment
Water toys

***This post contains affiliate links. It costs you nothing extra, but I may receive a small commission.***

What would you add to this list? Have you ever forgotten something essential on a camping trip? Tell me about it in the comments! 🙂

Categories
Big kid fun Family Activities Teenager Toddler and Preschool Age Fun

How to Host the Perfect Sleepover & Movie Night

Nevaeh wanted to have a sleepover for her 14th birthday and we decided to do homemade pizzas, a bonfire, and a movie night.

The first step was to figure out what to have for dinner and what snacks to have.

We decided on homemade pizzas so the girls could choose their own toppings and have as much (or as little) cheese and sauce as they wanted. This option was definitely a hit. They loved making them and everyone thought the pizzas were delicious. Even my toddlers had fun making their own pizzas! It was fun for all of us and that’s always a plus.

We used Jiffy pizza crust mix. It was super inexpensive and soo delicious. It was actually really sticky when I was trying to flatten it out so I was worried it wouldn’t work well but it did! It turned out perfectly. It doesn’t make enough dough for one “large” pizza, but two girls were able to share one. We used Meijer pizza sauce, pepperoni, Tennessee Pride sausage, yellow pepper, and mozzarella cheese. You can buy whatever toppings your family wants. We decided bacon and banana pepper would have been a good addition so we’ll be getting those next time.

After dinner we went outside for a bon fire and s’mores. Again, everyone had fun and loves s’mores so it was another one that even the littles enjoyed.

 

The girls played in the yard for a while when the s’mores were gone and while they played and Chris put the fire out, I started preparing the movie snacks!

We did popcorn with mix-ins and that was so much fun. I prefer my popcorn plain but the kids loved adding yummy stuff to theirs.

We did cheerios, mini marshmallows, pretzels, mnm’s, and a couple popcorn seasonings (nacho cheddar and caramel corn). Everyone got their own bowl of popcorn and then added stuff in. You could do other things like chocolate chips, gummy bears, golden grahams, or any other treat.

We also put candy and drinks in small bins for each girl. The girls chose to put a napkin in one side of their bin and just put their popcorn in there (and hot Cheetos once the popcorn was gone).

After one movie the girls went out to the backyard and played hide and seek (it’s so dark out there!). Then they played some games and watched more movies. They all said they had so much fun, so I’d it was a success. 😉

 

Do you have any popcorn mix-ins you prefer that I didn’t include? Pizza toppings? Movie night snacks? Drop a comment and tell me about it! 🙂

 

Categories
Our Family Printables Weekend Wrap-Up

Weekend Wrap-Up

Happy Monday!!

I hope everyone had a good weekend. We tried to just relax as much as possible because last week was such a long, busy week for us.

Relaxing when you have five kids is a little different than relaxing with no kids, however, so we still stayed a little busy.

Friday we had doctors appointments for the kids, but after that, it was pretty chill.

Saturday morning we hung out at home and spent time together. Later we dropped Peyton off to spend time with his mama and then went to the train station in our town to take pictures before Nevaeh’s 8th grade formal. The train station is beautiful so it was a good spot for pictures.

When we got done there we took Nevaeh and her date (her boyfriend, but Chris doesn’t like me to say that) to the dance.

When Nevaeh got home Chris, Nevaeh, and I watched YouTube videos of Conan O’Brien and Kevin Hart driving around with different people in the car… it was pretty hilarious.

Sunday we went to the Rose Parade. Chris wasn’t thrilled but he’s a team player so came along anyhow. He actually ended up enjoying himself, so that was a bonus. LOL. Liam LOVED all the cars and trucks. He wouldn’t stop saying “ca” and when there were no cars that he could see he would say, “all gone!” and get squirmy again until the next wave of vehicles came. It was adorable. Sylas liked the firetrucks and police cars, and Josie liked the horses. I think she liked the horses, it was really the only thing she paid attention to other than the candy being thrown her way. She didn’t want to talk about anything but the candy after we left. I think candy being thrown at parades should be banned… lol. I’m totally kidding but my kids brought home SO MUCH candy.

Watching a parade is on our Summer Bucket List so the kids were excited to put a check mark next to it afterward. If you want a copy of our Summer Bucket List or if you want a template to write your own list, click on the link and download my free printables. There are 5 of them so you have a few to choose from, plus a few blank ones if you would rather create your own.

After that we came home and while the kids napped and I worked on my blog a big, Chris went to pick up some mulch for me. I didn’t get it put down yet… I’m sure that won’t happen until next weekend at least. I tend to get nothing done in the yard during the week LOL

We went to pizza night, I had good wine, and then we went home to relax before the week started again.

My kids didn’t nap all weekend it seemed like. Even Liam’s naps were shorter than normal. I seriously ended my weekend wishing for a babysitter so I could have a couple minutes to myself without anyone interrupting. LOL. I live for nap time.

Tell me about your weekend in the comments! I’d love to hear about it. 🙂