Parenting Column: My Summer

We made it! Summer is finally here, and my kids are ready to beat the heat with all things water-related. Going back to school this year was anything but normal with coming off the heels of a global pandemic. Now that things are (sort of) going back to the way they used to be, my kids and I have come up with 26 summer-approved ideas for a fun and relaxing time together. Check them out!

A to Z,

This is the Summer for Me!

Aquarium. Wonders of Wildlife in Springfield, Mo., the Tulsa Aquarium in Tulsa, Okla., and Aquarium at the Boardwalk in Branson, Mo., are all great places to check out under-the-water creatures. Be sure to check ahead and book your tickets online if possible, to avoid long lines.

Beach. If possible, take your kids to the beach! We’re headed to Florida this month, and we can’t wait! If the beach isn’t in the plans this year, or you don’t like the beach, grab one of those fun kiddy pools at your local store and fill it up with playground sand or water and let your kids play away.

Cookout. My kids and I love to cookout in our backyard. Step it up a bit and add s’mores to your menu. You won’t regret it! Bonus tip: My daughter Hannah learned this in Girl Scouts…out of Hershey Bars? No problem. Use Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Cookies and Cream Candy Bars, or Almond Joy Bars in place of your regular chocolate. It adds a fun twist to a camp classic.

Day Camps. Check out your local businesses for day camps that are being offered in your area. My girls are going to Imagine Studios to make some fun art for a few days this summer. It’s a win-win. It’ll give your kids something to look forward to, and it’ll give you a few hours of peace and quiet.

Eat something new. I’m always

encouraging my kids to try new foods. Elinor just tried asparagus for the first time. She didn’t like it, but she tried it! Make it a goal to try something new once a week for the entire summer. I bet you’ll have some fun stories to look back on some day. Bonus tip: Take your kids to the store and let them take turns each week picking out the item of their choosing that they want to try.

Food trucks. Our town has a lot of cute food trucks. Spend a few hours visiting one and showing your kids that their food can come on wheels. You could even make it a mission to try as many food trucks as possible before the end of the summer. You might just add a few new places to your favorite places to eat.

parenting column

Parenting journalist Meagan Ruffing is ready to get her summer started. Use this list to help you and your kids make the most of each day.

Gaga ball. My son is the one who introduced this popular school game to me. It’s played in an octagonal pit (usually found on playgrounds) and is similar to dodge ball. The idea is to throw the ball and hit someone below the knees to get them ‘out.’

Hotel. My kids love hotels and I bet yours do too. It seems like all kids do. Take a weekend away or just stay in a hotel in your town for a pretend ‘getaway.’ Make sure to get a hotel that has a pool (and make sure you ask if it’s open because some are still closed due to Covid). I’ll never forget the year my friend booked me and my kids a hotel in a neighboring town shortly after my divorce. It was a fun pick-me-up and something I hadn’t thought to do. It’s now become one of my favorite things to do with my kids and has turned into a meaningful tradition.

Ice cream truck. It’s that time of year when the kids are outside playing all day. They’re dirty and sweaty and all need baths but here comes the sound of the ice cream truck! Bonus tip: Include chores throughout the week so the kids can earn their ice cream money.

Jump on the trampoline. I said

I’d never get a trampoline for my backyard, but I caved when everything shut down last summer because of Covid. We have one and my kids have jumped on it (almost) every possible day they could get outside. I’m still weary of this injury-prone object in my backyard, and I totally respect those who still choose not to buy them but for my family, it has been a lifesaver!

Kindness challenge. Challenge

your kids (and yourself) to do something kind for someone else. Maybe it’s making cookies for a neighbor or bringing dinner to a friend who is going through a hard time. Let each person in your family think of someone that comes to mind and decide what you would like the act of kindness to be.

Learn a new skill. Summer is a

fun time to try your hand at something new. Hannah wants to learn how to speak Spanish so I’m going to look into some lessons for her. My schedule is a little lighter in the summer so bringing her back and forth won’t be as difficult.

Move things around. Let your

kids move their rooms around by rearranging things to create a new vibe. You might even revamp their rooms with a new theme.

Naps. We all need more of these. Did you know I have a mandatory quiet time in my home every day during the summer? It’s usually in the afternoon for at least two hours. My kids think I’m crazy but my friends think I’m genius. It’s good for kids to slow down and relax.

Open road. My son came up with this one. Dylan said, “How about…go for a drive on the open road?” What a great idea! When I was a little girl, my dad used to take me on random drives throughout the country. He’d blast the music and zip me around the hills, telling me stories of his childhood.

Pool! How could I not include the pool? We have a neighborhood pool that we like to frequent and we try to go (almost) every day. The kids have fun splashing around, and I get to enjoy some downtime in the sun.

Quality time together. I’m for-

tunate to have a job right now that allows me the summers off. This has given me the opportunity to spend quality time with my kids that is (if I’m being honest) lacking during the school year. It just seems like we’re always on the go during that time and my mom-guilt kicks in. Having a little bit of breathing room has been so good for my health and for my kids’ well-being. If you are working over the summer, I challenge you to find some wiggle room in your week to spend some quality time with someone important to you.

Ride bikes. All of my kids know how to ride their bikes as of this year! I haven’t ridden a bike in who knows how long, but I’m going to get myself on one this summer. I live in an area where bike riding is very popular so I’m excited to jump on the bandwagon.

Sleep in. Can someone tell my kids to do this more often? No really, I need someone to tell them. They still wake up super early during the summer, and I’m trying to convince them that nothing fun happens until after 10 a.m. so it’s okay to snore away.

Takeout. My kids love ordering takeout and bringing it to a park. We try to do this at least once a week to change things up a bit from packing our lunches.

Under the stars. Spend a night

star-gazing with your kiddos. Look up some of the constellations and see if you can find any together. If you have a trampoline, try laying on it at night and looking up at the stars.

Vacation. Take a vacation together. This can be a stay-cation if money is tight or it can be a vacation that you’ve always wanted to take.

Waterslides. This can be an actual park with a waterslide or it can be a slipand-slide you set up in your backyard. Anything with the words water and slide in it are probably going to be a hit with your kids.

eXplore. Take your kids on a hike and explore the great outdoors. Print out a scavenger hunt for your kids and get to it!

Yes day! There is a popular movie out right now with this name and the idea is to say yes to everything your kids ask you to do. I have actually tried this but my twist on it is this…I say yes to everything (within reason). The whole idea has gotten quite funny but we have a good time with it.

Zippity-doo-da! Go on a walk. My kids and I love to take our dogs Tommy and Conner for walks around our neighborhood. It’s fun and also a great way to meet your neighbors.