4 Simple Ways to Enjoy the End of Summer with Kids

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4 Simple Ways to Enjoy the End of Summer with Kids

Kathryn Gardner • Jul 28, 2022

4 Simple Ways to Enjoy the End of Summer with Kids

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I grabbed a cart at the entrance of the store and said hello to the Walmart greeter. Instead of seeing the aisles of beach balls, pool floaties and swimsuits, the big yellow sign read "Back to School." Now, the shelves were filled with colored notebooks, perfectly sharp crayons and school bags (with zippers that still work). How could it be back to school time already?

Before you panic and feel like All Is Lost for creating the most memorable summer, let's go over 4 simple ways you can bring in some fun family time before the first school bell rings.

Bring the sand to you
A scavenger hunt
Plan that day trip on your bucket list
Picnic by a nearby pond

#1 Bring the Sand to You

The beach is so much fun in the summer. The kids enjoy building castles, burying my husband in the sand and carrying buckets of water to fill the hole around the mountain they created. The sand is so soothing - I love digging my toes deep into the sand where it finds the cool layer beneath. As you glance down the beach, the sand is endless, going on for miles beside you and in front of you. Truly, a wonder of God’s creation.

If the sand is something your kids enjoy, but you can’t get to a beach before the summer wraps up - buy some sand and let your imagination run! Kinetic sand is so much fun, it clings to itself and does not leave a giant mess. I usually have a large bowl or platter (from the dollar store) for the kids to play with the sand over it. Indoors or outdoors, kinetic sand is a fun way to reminisce about beach days. Here is a link to my daughter's favorite kinetic sand, for under ten dollars on Amazon - try out this Aqua Blue Kinetic Sand.

The kids can hide toys and dig them out of the sand. They can collect rocks and hide them for each other to search. Or they can make shapes and designs full of imagination!

#2 Scavenger Hunt

One of the fun activities at summer camp is a scavenger hunt. This helps us to explore and look for things that we would otherwise step right over. A great way to get the kids connected to nature and being curious about what they see.

You can create your own scavenger list by writing down a checklist with a variety of odd items you know you have around. For example, 2 red socks, a white flower, a rock the shape of a boat or a leaf that has recently fallen off the tree. Maybe you want to focus your list on a certain color - let’s find 10 white items. Or you can add some fun by adding numbers - search for 1 chair, 2 bikes, 3 dogs, 4 cars and 5 birds.

As the kids find things, they will gain the confidence of seeking and finding. This is great for their self esteem and helps the family work as a team. If competition starts to get in the way of the relaxing fun, remind the kids that if we all find the list of items then we can have the ice cream party in the backyard. We are working together!

If you’re lost for ideas, here is a Scavenger hunt card game on Amazon for under twenty dollars. Go searching!

#3 Visit One of the Day Trips on Your Bucket List

Time is not lost! If 6 months ago, you had spent the wintry days daydreaming about the upcoming summer and pinned a variety of museums, attractions or day trips on Pinterest - now is the time to book a day trip. Your destination may be in your town or a 1-2 hour drive away or book a hotel to get out of town for a long weekend.

If you are looking for the perfect lined journal notebook to write down your adventure ideas, my Tranquility palm tree Journal Notebook is on Amazon Prime.

Whether you are visiting dear friends or checking out a city’s best attractions, each trip gives the family the chance to step out of the house and out of the routine. This encourages the kids to walk away from their devices and open up to each other. The car ride even has good potential for conversations and laughter.

When you are at the museum or attraction, be sure to ask questions and wonder about what the kids are seeing and enjoying. Help them to appreciate that it is a Tranquility Moment. (Have you heard of my term - Tranquility Moment - read my blog post about how moms and families can Find your Tranquility!)

Check out my Tranquility Moms YouTube video with more ideas to go on an End of Summer Adventure with your family.

Have you looked on HulaFrog.com lately? This is a website for parents that lists local events, activities and upcoming shows in your area. Great resource! (Since we just moved to Tampa, FL, from Chicago, IL, this has been a great way to learn about fun things to do in the new area!)

#4 Picnic by a nearby Pond

My mom would pack up simple sandwiches and a blanket when we were kids. She would drive us to this little pond and we would watch the ducks while we ate and rolled on the blanket. What a great alternative to another kitchen table meal.

A great part of summer is the ability to be outdoors and enjoy the scenery. Before we get closed up in the house, plan a family picnic. With some simple planning, you can pack up a bag with sandwiches, fruit, juice boxes and cookies for a memorable picnic. Nothing fancy, just food on a blanket. If you want to get in the picnic mood - check out these picnic baskets and the picnic waterproof foldable blanket that our family uses (the bottom does not absorb water or carry dirt back home and it’s super easy to carry!). Bring a bug container for all of the little critters that join your picnic and ask the kids questions about what they think the bug eats, where it sleeps, or where its family lives.

For yummy small lunch ideas, visit Laura Fuentes at Momables, she always has the cutest ideas for kids’ meals.

I don’t want you to stress and feel the anxiety of the summer clock ticking. You can use these 4 simple ways to spend quality time together as a family before the school bags are packed.

Carpe diem ~ Seize the day! Share quality time together and enjoy each other's company to recharge each of your batteries - to get ready for the stress and increase in responsibility in the school year. You've got this!

Upcoming book in 2022 by Kathryn Gardner ~ Find Tranquility on Your Family Trip: Rest, Recharge and Connect on Your Family Trip. Plus 100 Christian Family Travel Activities

So glad you are on this journey with me to go from stressed to refreshed! Find your tranquility today!

Be well and God bless,

Coach Kathy

Kathryn Gardner, mom of 2, police wife, and Therapist specializing in the wellness of moms & Certified Health Coach moved with her family to Tampa, FL to be near the ocean and explore the health benefits of nature. Her passion is helping stressed moms find tranquility! Check out TranquilityMoms.com for the latest blog post and YouTube video. She posts encouraging messages on Instagram and Facebook.