Summer is here! After a long and miserable winter, it’s finally getting warm and sunny, and our thoughts are turning to barbecues, holidays, and enjoying the lovely weather. The kids may be clamouring for trips to the beach and days out at theme parks, but the trouble is these activities can be very expensive for a family, and also require a lot of planning and preparation. While the odd day out now and then is a must, and of course a holiday at some point, for the most part your family will be entertaining themselves at home.
Outdoor fun for small children
There are all sorts of different play equipment options for your garden, and your selection will need to be guided by the ages and interests of your children. For little ones, simple slides, ride-on tractors, and ball pools will give them plenty of entertainment. Don’t go overboard with toddler toys, or you might find your lawn turning into a sea of brightly coloured plastic. They also have a limited lifespan, and a few good quality items will do you better than a lot of cheap play equipment. Sand pits and paddling pools are also ideal for toddlers, though of course they should be under adult supervision at all times.
Outdoor fun for older children
For older kids, one of the most popular options is a trampoline. They do take up a bit of space, and must be on firm ground away from anything overhanging, so need to be sited carefully. Apart from the hours of fun kids can have on them, trampolining is also an excellent form of exercise. You can check out the various types of trampoline at a review site like Trampolinefirst.com before deciding what to get. If you have the money, treehouses or forts with ropes, ladders, slides and swings will keep imaginative kids occupied for hours. If buying in a ready-made treehouse is a bit ambitious, the kids could always make a den, or alternatively set up an outside camp. Or you could all get involved in making your own treehouse using designs that are available online.
Join in sometimes
Your summer shouldn’t be all about work and chores, this is an opportunity to spend some quality time with your kids and you need to take advantage of it. Throw off your adult inhibitions and get stuck into whatever fantasy they’ve created. You can learn a lot about your children from observing them at play, and interacting with them as they make up stories and characters. It can also just be a lot of fun, if you learn to let yourself go and join in properly. If this is something you find difficult, get some hints on how to relax and participate in your kids’ games from one of the many helpful websites like Mumsnet and Netmums.
The months of summer seem like they will go on forever, but will be gone in the blink of an eye. Have fun with your kids every chance you’ll get, and make some happy family memories.
PIN IT FOR LATER
Disclaimer: This is a collaborative post.