Summer Activities At Home With The Kids

If you have kids at home, then you’re probably all too familiar with the b-word (not the curse word), BORED. Once school is out for the summer, kids immediately want to spend that time doing as many fun activities as possible. However, there are times when it’s not feasible financially or otherwise to take them to all of the incredible attractions near William Ryan Homes across the US. Luckily, there are plenty of fun summer activities to be enjoyed within our spacious home designs and family-friendly communities.

Let’s take a look at some ways to get rid of the b-word once and for all this summer.

Have a Picnic

A picnic is an amazing way to spend a beautiful summer day! Spread out a nice thick blanket in your backyard or deck and enjoy the warmth of the sun. Let the kids help out by creating a fun twist on picnic snack favorites. For instance, instead of bowls of fruit, make fruit skewers or instead of plain sandwiches, turn them into deli rolls. You can even cut the sandwiches into fun shapes with cookie cutters. With our roomy kitchen island tops, there’s more than enough space to set up all the picnic food and snacks your kids could want.

Backyard Obstacle Course

Our large lots have ample backyard space to create an incredible obstacle course for the kids to enjoy. There are many household items you may already have that can be used to set it up. Or you can always purchase more items from your local dollar store. Things like patio furniture, laundry baskets, pool noodles, and hula hoops can make for a challenging obstacle the kids can’t wait to try. Set up a timer to see who can get through the fastest for even more of a challenge.

An A to Z Scavenger Hunt

Scavenger hunts can be fun at any age. They can also be done anywhere, including inside your home. Get creative and turn it into an A to Z challenge where kids can find items that start with all of the letters of the alphabet. Make it challenging for older kids by including riddles or clues whose answers lead them to the items to be found. Need help coming up with some of the clues or items? No worries, there are many online resources with ideas you can use. If it’s a particularly nice day out, move the fun outdoors and make it a nature scavenger hunt instead.

Set Up a Movie Night

Staying indoors doesn't mean you can't enjoy a fun movie night with the kids. Break out the blankets and pillows and cozy up on the couch in the family room. If the weather permits, you can move the fun outdoors. Wrap a white sheet (or set of sheets) around a large piece of cardboard to keep it smooth and a cheap projector. This should do the trick. Turn it into a marathon and have each family member choose their favorite flick. Don't forget the snacks!

Have a Water Balloon Fight

An easy way to enjoy the summer with your kids only requires two things, water and balloons. Water balloon fights are a super fun way to enjoy the outdoors and use up the incredible backyard lot space. Fill up some colorful water balloons, grab the kids, and duke it out in the yard! To mix it up, use the balloons in other fun games like musical chairs. Have everyone stand in a circle and have them pass around one water balloon. When the music stops, whoever is holding the water balloon has to pop it on themselves. Just be sure to clean up all the balloon pieces when you're done.

Blow Bubbles in the Yard

Another great idea for your backyard space is blowing bubbles. Unlike the water balloon fight option, there’s less cleaning up to do, but it still provides just as much fun. Make it a game by seeing who can pop the most bubbles or see who can blow the biggest bubbles. Have fun making bubbles of different sizes with products you can find right at home. You can use a fly swatter to make several tiny connected bubbles or tie cotton string to two sturdy sticks to create giant bubbles.

Make Homemade Ice Cream

Who doesn't love ice cream in the summertime? Luckily, it's easy to make your own! Just blend together some heavy cream, sugar, your favorite fruits or berries, and vanilla extract. Then pour it into a freezer-safe container and freeze for several hours. Once it's fully frozen, scoop it out and enjoy!

If you just can’t wait for this delicious treat, you can make the ice cream faster by placing the mixture in a resealable plastic bag. In a separate, larger bag, combine ice and salt. Then, put the smaller bag into the bigger bag and vigorously shake until the ice cream has hardened. Make it an especially enjoyable treat for the kids by setting out some delicious ice cream toppings like hot fudge and sprinkles!

Whatever activity you decide to do, know that at William Ryans Homes, there’s a community and floor plan perfectly sized to fit all the fun you and your family can enjoy. We look forward to building your home with room enough for a lifetime of memories. Contact us today to learn more about our homes in Florida, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Arizona and see why our buyers never use the b-word when describing them.