When you’ve exhausted the basic summer activities, try one of these new ideas.
Have a picnic in the park
Local parks are a great place to picnic in the summer. Pack and prepare you favorite sandwiches and snacks to enjoy al fresco. Don’t forget the Frisbee.
Grill and chill
Let everyone select their favorite meats, veggies, and marinades, then construct colorful kebabs to grill together.
Build your own sundaes
Set up stations for each ice cream flavor and topping — everything down to the cherry on top. Kids will have fun adding their own whipped cream, and everyone will love eating the results.
Pizza and game night
Instead of ordering pizza, make your own. Divide the pie so each person can top their own section. Pull out some board games and enjoy your slices while you roll the dice and race your players toward a win.
Take a family yoga class
Many community centers offer family-friendly exercise classes, so you can get healthy (and centered) together.
Find a drive-in movie theater
Believe it or not, they are still around. Your family will love piling in the car for a unique movie-going experience.
Check out a museum
Add a little culture to your summer by visiting local (air-conditioned) museums. There are often children’s exhibits for hands-on excitement, or join a tour group to keep kids interested.
Volunteer
This summer, encourage your kids to use their free time in a community volunteer program. Many varieties of projects are available — find one that interests your family.
Get down to earth
Reconnect your family with nature. From exotic plant life to flowing water fountains, a botanical garden is a gorgeous place to spend a summer afternoon.
Play a few rounds of mini golf
If you’re not great at baseball or football just isn’t your thing, try this game the entire family can enjoy. It’s not overly competitive and the course is filled with fun decoys.
Knock down some pins
Master the technique of scoring a spare, a strike, and maybe some nachos. Break up into teams for a little friendly competition at your local bowling alley.
Roller-skate
Grab the group for family skate night at your local rink. Or take your skates to a park or boardwalk and enjoy the outdoors while getting in a little exercise.
Find a family workshop
Maybe you’ve always been curious about knitting. Or perhaps you want to take a crack at writing poetry. Check your local library to see if they feature special-interest classes for the whole family.
An outdoor concert
When it’s nice out, musical acts make their way outdoors. See who is playing near you.
Tend the garden
Whether you planted together or not, turn gardening upkeep into a group activity. Weed, water, round up the ripe tomatoes, and start planning for the fall.
