Summer Plans

For the past few years, as summer approaches, I start to make lists of all the fun and exciting things I want to do with the kids.  Some are family activities, many are things we'll squeeze in while Daddy's working, but the time flies by far too fast not to take advantage of all the fun things that don't normally fit into the schedule.  With the extra time and lazy days provided by summer, I want to take advantage of that extra fun time with the kids.

So here are the ideas on my list so far.  Many we'll do on the spur of the moment, and others we'll turn into day trips and combine with picnic lunches or other adventures for a full day of fun.

• swimming at Staunton River State Park
• visit Knoebel's Grove
• tour Chocolate World (kid requested!)
• visit both of my grandmothers
• make chalk paint
• take in a few movies via summer movie series - a great list can be found here
• Marbles Museum
• Day of Bubbles
• picnic in the playhouse
• camping out in the tent
• cookout with friends
• Durham Bulls' game
• hiking @ Mayo Park
• Day of Dinosaurs
• take pictures @ Duke Gardens
• go out for Chinese food
• water balloon pinatas
• make doll clothes with my Big Helper
• go for a family bike ride
• make plastic bag ice cream
• visiting the state farmer's market
• making applesauce
• VBS @ Warren's Grove UMC
• participate in a summer reading program - a great list can be found here
• make more blessing bags
• create a backyard obstacle course
• make a bike/scooter obstacle course
• read together lots and lots

Others will be things that will benefit the whole family, but that will teach the kids important skills while allowing us to work together:

• picking and freezing blueberries
• husking and freezing corn
• canning tomatoes (well, I want to do this - their involvement may be limited this year!)

What's on your summer fun list?