As a single mom, it’s easy to get stuck in the routine of day-to-day activities. Often you don’t have the brain energy to think of inventive ideas for summertime fun. After all, you’ve just washed ten loads of laundry, driven the kids to soccer practice for the fifth time, and saved the world. Right?
Then let me suggest a few activities that will stimulate excitement around your household. They’re easy and best of all—FREE. Try a few and let me know how they work out. They just might turn out to be some of your kids’ favorite memories. Share your comments about your experiences on our Facebook page. Summer’s here. It’s easy to make it a creative one.
- Check out your community calendar. Your chamber of commerce will have a calendar of summer city activities. I did that last summer, and I ended up at the city park listening to a fun comedian-duo passing through town.
- Make an indoor sandbox, using colored rice. Mix 4 cups of white rice with 3 tablespoons of rubbing alcohol and a few drops of food coloring. Let dry overnight and then create.
- Read a book about totem poles. Then decorate empty paper towel rolls for ones of your own.
- Visit your local library. I used to think that libraries only had books. But many have extensive DVD collections, story time for kids, and book clubs.
- Enroll in a sport. Joining a league gives your child the opportunity to exercise and be a part of a team. Sit in the grass. Watch the game. Make a new friend yourself.
- Listen to podcasts. I didn’t realize the variety and interest in downloading podcasts until I googled “top fun podcasts for children.” Explore.
- Shop garage sales. Give the kids a few dollars and let them find a treasure. I did that last summer with my grandkids, and we found board games, stamp sets, and more!
- Forget cooking healthy meals and focus on the “good stuff”—occasionally. Set up an ice cream sundae buffet in the backyard. Let the kids draw a picture of their creation.
- Hike with the red wagon. Make a collage from the nature objects you find along the way.
- Have a water balloon “fight.” On your mark…get set…throw! Duck! Have fun!
- Make sidewalk people. Lie on the sidewalk and have someone trace the body’s outline with sidewalk chalk. Then draw the face. Color in the clothes and draw crazy shoes.
- Create salad spinner art. Dab paint generously onto a piece of paper. Then quickly place it in the spinner and spin away for amazing artwork.
- Plant a garden—or at least a few plants. Find a corner in your backyard (or use a container) and plant herbs or veggies. Let your kids learn about the beauty of dirt.
- Play mini-golf in your own front yard. Set up a course in your driveway or yard by laying different size containers on their sides. Golf away!
- Create with Popsicle sticks. Make forts, airplanes, puppets, flowers, birdhouses, drink coasters, fans, Christmas ornaments, or the American flag.
Moms, your children are going to be grown and gone before you know it. BUILD MEMORIES! It’s the only thing they’ll take with them that they’ll remember for a lifetime. Summer’s here. What are you waiting for?
About Pam Kanaly
Aloha! I’m Pam Kanaly, President and co-founder of Arise Ministries. But actually, I think Arise found me wanting to bless single moms years ago. Ministry was never on my mind as a kid. All I wanted to be was a hula dancer. So Mother enrolled me in the tiny tots’ class. Guess God knew I’d have two grandbabies born in Hawaii. I love the great outdoors. You might even find me spending time with my husband grizzly bear watching or camping. In fact, it was on a turkey hunt that God gave me the name Arise Ministries in 2002. I suppose it’s a good thing that I majored in Grammar in college since I love to write words of encouragement to single moms.