I love the extra downtime that comes with summer, but it can be …. challenging with kids, too. So today I want to hear your ideas/hacks for summer play. What keeps your kids happy and entertained on long summer days? A few years ago, my husband bought a big plastic tarp, cut it so it was about ten feet wide and 40 feet long, and set it up in our backyard with a sprinkler as a slip ‘n slide (Pro tip: wet the grass underneath before setting it out to prevent it from dying.) We continue to use it regularly, and it’s way more fun than a regular small slip ‘n slide.
I was looking for a way to get my 4yo kid excited about spending time with a new sitter, so I froze some of his Legos in ice (with consent) and told him that he could “rescue” them with her later, using his toy hammer. This was surprisingly delightful for him--he asked to do it, with her (!), the next day too. We upped the ante at his birthday by freezing animal toys in the big cubes I used to use for fancy drinks when I was still cool, then putting out a water table and calling that the “zoo.” The kids had to “rescue” and then deliver the animals to the zoo, solo or in sibling teams. It kept everyone cooled off and engaged, then they took “their” toy home in lieu of a big gift bag. Plus as a teacher I was secretly tickled to hear them all talking about their strategies -- hammer, slamming them against stuff, leaving them on a hot table in the sun, and realizing that the warm water at the water table would melt it all with the least effort. Keeping kids from destroying each other/my house, in the name of science: a very small win during a very long summer so far!
After reading your idea, I froze some tiny plastic game pieces in ice cubes and brought them along on our weekend camping trip. My four-year-old LOVED chipping away at the cubes with a spoon--both freeing the plastic pieces and getting little chips of ice on herself were highlights. Thank you for this idea!
Our daughter turns 2 next month and over the long holiday weekend we had 2 days planned where we were away from home all day without the promise of a nap. One of those days she was the only child (aside from our infant who mostly eats and sleeps at this point) and my boss was in attendance so my kid being occupied was not a given and also something I desperately wanted to happen.
Enter: a spray bottle. With water. That’s it. I labeled it “Virginia’s Outside Only Water Bottle” so adults would know she wasn’t allowed inside with it. She walked around spraying things- plants, the ground, a patio door, sometimes other people which was refreshing on a hot day and an opportunity for some playful banter, but she spent most of the time spraying it into her own mouth- hydration bonus!
My 2yo has been playing with a water spray bottle (that also must remain outside on the porch) for a year or so. I didn’t even think of it as a tip because it’s such a daily part of our lives. I let her chalk the side of the house on the porch (it’s made of stone) and spray it off. She loves it!
We love sidewalk chalk (I find all different sizes and the sidewalk paint too) and we also love to wet it to see how the drawings look different with wet and dry chalk. We also love going on hunts (like Going on a Bear Hunt) but instead looking for things like a yellow flower, a bug, and a stick as long as their leg. Sometimes the challenge of finding the things lets us extend the walk a little longer. Sometimes.....
Bike ride to a place typically driven to - like the library, an ice cream place, pizza dinner. Turns it into an adventure. Also hose down the slide or in the trampoline was a big hit when my kids were smaller.
Regarding "new paid subscriber bonuses," what I'd like most is a access to another substack by Melinda Venter Moyer that is just science, not specifically parenting science. I.e. Either two for one pricing for both substacks, or for slightly extra a bargain to subscribe to both.
I keep thinking about the previous piece in this substack on encouraging girls into science--something I think about a lot. It was interesting the mixed feelings mentioned within regarding encouraging science in girls by mixing in caretaking, especially when I know Melinda Wenner Moyer is such a fantastic popular science writer in general, but has recently concentrated on parenting. There could be many reasons for this, so I will not conjecture, but the point is I would really enjoy more science writing in general by Melinda Wenner Moyer via substack on top of the great parenting pieces precented here.
We are officially in the summer of perler beads here -- those little teensy beads you put on little peg boards in cool designs and iron to make... absolutely useless plastic junk, LOL. My sister-in-law brought a huge tub and the kids have been making them obsessively all week. It's strangely addictive and soothing! (I will be finding them in every crevice of my house forever though.) We're also obsessed with rock painting -- my kids use chalk markers which show up really well on rocks, but aren't messy and I love finding their little collections of rock buddies tucked into random corners of the garden.
My son and I just got back from parent and kid nature camp, and in one of the activities, the counselors handed out paint swatches and had us find that color in the forest. We got a robin’s egg blue, but alas, no robin’s nest could be found. We did succeed, though! There was some lichen that had a blueish tint. And later we found a bug with a blue back. So! This could be an easy scavenger hunt for kiddos who can go outside on their own. I bet sending them out with markers, crayons, or colored pencils to match up would work just as well if you don’t want to go to the hardware store for paint swatches. If they have a way to take photos and then come back to show you, it may be even more fun!
We set up a tent in the backyard, preferably the shade. The kids always have a good time feeling like they are camping.
I was looking for a way to get my 4yo kid excited about spending time with a new sitter, so I froze some of his Legos in ice (with consent) and told him that he could “rescue” them with her later, using his toy hammer. This was surprisingly delightful for him--he asked to do it, with her (!), the next day too. We upped the ante at his birthday by freezing animal toys in the big cubes I used to use for fancy drinks when I was still cool, then putting out a water table and calling that the “zoo.” The kids had to “rescue” and then deliver the animals to the zoo, solo or in sibling teams. It kept everyone cooled off and engaged, then they took “their” toy home in lieu of a big gift bag. Plus as a teacher I was secretly tickled to hear them all talking about their strategies -- hammer, slamming them against stuff, leaving them on a hot table in the sun, and realizing that the warm water at the water table would melt it all with the least effort. Keeping kids from destroying each other/my house, in the name of science: a very small win during a very long summer so far!
This is amazing. Thank you!!!!
I love this idea! My toddler loves ice and hammering things. What a perfect combo. Thank you for sharing!
After reading your idea, I froze some tiny plastic game pieces in ice cubes and brought them along on our weekend camping trip. My four-year-old LOVED chipping away at the cubes with a spoon--both freeing the plastic pieces and getting little chips of ice on herself were highlights. Thank you for this idea!
Our daughter turns 2 next month and over the long holiday weekend we had 2 days planned where we were away from home all day without the promise of a nap. One of those days she was the only child (aside from our infant who mostly eats and sleeps at this point) and my boss was in attendance so my kid being occupied was not a given and also something I desperately wanted to happen.
Enter: a spray bottle. With water. That’s it. I labeled it “Virginia’s Outside Only Water Bottle” so adults would know she wasn’t allowed inside with it. She walked around spraying things- plants, the ground, a patio door, sometimes other people which was refreshing on a hot day and an opportunity for some playful banter, but she spent most of the time spraying it into her own mouth- hydration bonus!
What a fantastic and simple idea! Thank you for sharing!
My 2yo has been playing with a water spray bottle (that also must remain outside on the porch) for a year or so. I didn’t even think of it as a tip because it’s such a daily part of our lives. I let her chalk the side of the house on the porch (it’s made of stone) and spray it off. She loves it!
We love sidewalk chalk (I find all different sizes and the sidewalk paint too) and we also love to wet it to see how the drawings look different with wet and dry chalk. We also love going on hunts (like Going on a Bear Hunt) but instead looking for things like a yellow flower, a bug, and a stick as long as their leg. Sometimes the challenge of finding the things lets us extend the walk a little longer. Sometimes.....
Bike ride to a place typically driven to - like the library, an ice cream place, pizza dinner. Turns it into an adventure. Also hose down the slide or in the trampoline was a big hit when my kids were smaller.
Regarding "new paid subscriber bonuses," what I'd like most is a access to another substack by Melinda Venter Moyer that is just science, not specifically parenting science. I.e. Either two for one pricing for both substacks, or for slightly extra a bargain to subscribe to both.
I keep thinking about the previous piece in this substack on encouraging girls into science--something I think about a lot. It was interesting the mixed feelings mentioned within regarding encouraging science in girls by mixing in caretaking, especially when I know Melinda Wenner Moyer is such a fantastic popular science writer in general, but has recently concentrated on parenting. There could be many reasons for this, so I will not conjecture, but the point is I would really enjoy more science writing in general by Melinda Wenner Moyer via substack on top of the great parenting pieces precented here.
Thank you for the feedback! Sadly I do not have the bandwidth to start another Substack right now, but I will keep this in mind!
We are officially in the summer of perler beads here -- those little teensy beads you put on little peg boards in cool designs and iron to make... absolutely useless plastic junk, LOL. My sister-in-law brought a huge tub and the kids have been making them obsessively all week. It's strangely addictive and soothing! (I will be finding them in every crevice of my house forever though.) We're also obsessed with rock painting -- my kids use chalk markers which show up really well on rocks, but aren't messy and I love finding their little collections of rock buddies tucked into random corners of the garden.
Wow I've never even heard of these. But they sound like something my 8yo would love.....
Melinda - I will GLADLY give you many of these. Save me! (They’re actually wonderful. We just have too many)
Reusable water balloons have been a huge hit with our group of neighborhood kids. This is especially true if there is a parent willing to get wet.
These reusable balls fills easily in a tub of water and don’t hurt when you get hit with them. Plus no balloon pieces all over the yard.
Didn’t know about these! I have issues with balloons, not least among them the one-time usage.
My son and I just got back from parent and kid nature camp, and in one of the activities, the counselors handed out paint swatches and had us find that color in the forest. We got a robin’s egg blue, but alas, no robin’s nest could be found. We did succeed, though! There was some lichen that had a blueish tint. And later we found a bug with a blue back. So! This could be an easy scavenger hunt for kiddos who can go outside on their own. I bet sending them out with markers, crayons, or colored pencils to match up would work just as well if you don’t want to go to the hardware store for paint swatches. If they have a way to take photos and then come back to show you, it may be even more fun!
Oh I love this!!! So simple and yet sounds so fun!