Summer Activities to Keep The Kids Occupied
Summer is fast approaching and with it comes your kids complaining of being bored and having nothing to do. Meanwhile, your to do list is just as long or longer than ever. So, here are a few free/low cost activities and ideas to (hopefully) keep the kids occupied for a little bit.
Go on a bug hunt and learn about different insects
Go on a nature scavenger hunt
Splash around in a local splash pad or water park.
https://www.kenosha.org/departments/city_parks/pools_and_splash_pads.php
Have a day at the beach and build sandcastles
Download the Kenosha County Parks app for locations and amenities of local parks: https://www.kenoshacountywi.gov/2171/Parks-App
Set up a backyard camping adventure with a tent and s’mores
Plant flowers or vegetables in a small garden
Here are some easy plants for kids to grow and maintain: https://www.hgtv.com/design/make-and-celebrate/handmade/kids-gardening-projects-pictures
Create colorful sidewalk chalk art
https://www.mkewithkids.com/post/these-10-sidewalk-chalk-activities-will-make-your-child-s-day/
Ice cube painting
https://www.mothercould.com/posts/icepaint
Frozen animal rescue
https://momentsenriched.com/free-the-animals-ice-play/
Make homemade popsicles with different flavors
https://www.yummytoddlerfood.com/how-to-make-popsicles/
Set up a backyard water painting station
Make tie-dye t-shirts using vibrant colors
https://www.mkewithkids.com/post/tie-dye-patterns-for-kids/
Build a birdhouse and learn about local bird species
Make bird feeders
https://letgrow.org/diy-bird-feeder
Have a bubble party with different bubble wands
Paint rocks and hide them in the community for others to find
Hint: Rocks are Free! Go to the beach and pick out your favorite rocks
Create a nature-inspired collage using leaves, flowers, and sticks
https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/14525/nature-craft-collage/
Make paper plate masks and have a dress-up party
https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/50883/make-paper-plate-masks/
Set up a mini science lab at home and conduct simple experiments
https://www.childsci.org/home-experiments
https://funlearningforkids.com/science-activities-preschoolers/
Set up an obstacle course in the backyard or living room
Have a family relay race in the backyard
Water balloon toss or a water balloon war
Outdoor movie day
You can rent a projector and/or inflatable screen from the KLP library
https://mykpl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S196C3040425
https://mykpl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S196C3000824
Cooking and Baking Together
https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/easy-recipes-for-kids-to-make-by-themselves/
Sensory Bins
https://napacenter.org/sensory-items/
https://yourkidstable.com/ultimate-list-of-sensory-bin-ideas/