With school out for summer, this is an ideal time to find some fun activities to do as a family. Figuring out something that everyone in the household can enjoy is often challenging. Try these four family-oriented activities that everyone can do for quality time together this summer.
Make a Campfire for Roasting Marshmallows
A great way to enjoy evenings in the summertime is to build a campfire. You could do this at a designated campground and make a night of the experience. If you have a safe place to build a campfire in your backyard, this could be the spot of many hours of quality family time. Get some clean sticks or some long meat forks to hold the marshmallows. You could make smores with graham crackers and chocolate bars or simply enjoy the toasted puffs of sweetness. Be sure to have a bucket of water nearby in order to fully extinguish the campfire when you are done for the evening.
Swim in the Backyard Pool
Installing a pool in your backyard is an ideal way to cool off at home during the hottest days of the year. There are many backyard pool options, and a swimming pool builder will work with you in order to determine a size and layout that works for your property and meets your preferences. With a pool in your backyard, every day could seem like a vacation, and you will only have to step out the back door instead of driving for hours. Having a pool on your property will make your house a gathering place, allowing you to enjoy a lot of quality time with your family and friends.
Take a Walk on a Hiking Trail
One of the most enjoyable parts of the summer months of the year is getting outside and enjoying nature. If your local parks system has a paved trail, take to it and enjoy the scenery. Be sure to bring your sunglasses, sunscreen, and a wide-brimmed hat. Bring along your camera to take snapshots of butterflies and pretty flowers. Avoid bringing any food on the trail, but do bring a reusable water bottle so you can stay hydrated. If the trails are not paved, you will need to wear pants, socks, and shoes rather than shorts and sandals. This is because ticks and mosquitoes might hide out in the long grass. For young kids, a 0.5-mile walk is an ideal length. Older kids and teenagers should be able to handle a one to two-mile walk.
Go to a Beach
Consider taking a day trip and going to the beach. The whole family could enjoy building a sand castle, skipping stones, looking for seashells or scouting for pieces of sea glass. If there is a beach that allows fishing, find out if you need a license or permit and bring along the equipment. You might also enjoy renting a canoe and paddling close to shore. The fresh breezes along a beach will help to keep you cool on a hot summer day. Be sure to bring plenty of water in a cooler so you can stay hydrated. A bottle of sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat will protect you from sunburn. Some beach towels, sand toys, and an umbrella will add to the experience.
Each of these family activities allows you to enjoy the warm weather and get outdoors. No special skills are required to do any of these activities, but it is important to stay safe while swimming, hiking or building a campfire. You could try one of these activities per weekend, making a fun event out of it and taking pictures to document the experience
