6 things your family should do before summer
As swiftly as summer arrives, it ends just as quickly. Before you know it, fall will be upon us and then, slowly but surely, summer will melt away as the leaves begin to change. Before the sun sets on summer, make sure that you and your family have checked everything off of your bucket list—including these six kid-friendly activities.
- Plan a picnic.
No summer is complete without a trip to your favorite local park, picnic basket in tow. It doesn’t have to be a gourmet meal—PB and J sandwiches are totally acceptable—but make sure to squeeze in a family picnic before the summer ends. Even if you just pack up some snacks and enjoy them at a table next to your favorite playground, it still counts as long as you’re eating outside! - Go to the drive-in.
You may have to do a bit of online sleuthing to find a drive-in theater near you, but if you succeed, this classic summertime outing is bound to be a huge hit with your kids. Even if it means roadtripping an hour or so from home, the payoff when your youngsters realize that they get to watch a first-run film outside (while enjoying their favorite snacks) will be well worth the effort. - Eat some barbecue.
If the Fourth of July comes and goes without a cookout, did it really happen at all? Whether it’s the Fourth of July or the 31st of August, it’s never too late to enjoy some summer barbecue. Even if you don’t have a space to grill at home, chances are you’ll be able to find a barbecue pit at a nearby park. If not, hit up your favorite barbecue restaurant and grab a family meal to-go, then enjoy it at a picnic table. - Hit the pool.
Both the young and the young-at-heart can appreciate a dip in the pool when the temperatures heat up. So bring the whole family to your community pool or the pool of a friend and enjoy some quality time splashing around. Before you know it, summer will be over, and days at the pool will be nothing more than a fond memory. - Road trip in an RV.
Tiny homes may be having a real moment right now, but when it comes to road-tripping, they really can’t compare to the original tiny home: the RV. If you’re looking for an affordable way to do a weekend vacation with your family, consider renting an RV and journeying to a nearby state park where you can camp. You’ll have practically all the conveniences of home with the benefits of nature right at your doorstep. - Get cones of soft-serve.
If you’re strapped for time or cash, there’s one quintessential summer activity that requires only small amounts of either: going to get an ice cream cone. If there’s a shop nearby, walk to grab a cone of soft-serve with your family. If not, pile into the car, grab your ice cream cones to-go, and enjoy the sweet treat as you walk around a local park.
22 Things to Do Before Summer Ends [The Spruce]
25 Things You Must Do Before Summer Ends [LifeHack.org]
40 Things You Must Do Before Summer Ends [Huffington Post]