How to survive summer and keep your kids active

Getting the kids up and out of the house can be a challenge for me. My boys are perfectly content staying indoors. While this is a nice treat sometimes, they need to get out and enjoy some fresh air and physical activity. Staying inside and playing games or watching TV all day makes for two crazy kids and one crazy mama!

So how do you get two gamers to enjoy the summer sun?

1. Get up and out early

This is a big one. The mid day heat can be unbearable and totally demotivating. It’s hard to convince the boys to ”enjoy” being outside when it’s so damn hot out they can’t stand it. So beat the heat and take advantage of the the morning weather by planning outside activities early in the day.

2. Brown Bag-It

Food is a pain in the butt! Fast food is expensive, unhealthy, and time consuming. Pack a small cooler and throw it in the car. I like to grab snacks and drinks or maybe even a light lunch. That way we stay hydrated and we don’t have to waste time worrying about who wants what to eat. Not to mention, it helps to save a few bucks! Summer expenses add up fast. Everybody can grab the snack they want from the house, and because we got out early, we may even be back home in time for lunch.

3. Rotate indoor and outdoor activities

It’s important to find balance in the heat. Too much sun is never a good thing. Try rotating your indoor and outdoor activities every other day. The local library, free summer movies, or free bowling, are the perfect indoor activities!

4. Find Water!

I do not know what I would do without the beach or a pool. They are staples in almost any outdoor fun we have. My kids are water babies. If they are outside, you can bet it’s near the water. If you’re not close the beach or have a pool, check your local YMCA or community pools. This gives the kids a great way to stay cool. We have the beach, but no pool. Luckily, we have a few close friends and family members that don’t mind us coming for a visit!

5. Indoor Fun

When all else fails. Stay home and get crafty. Do I even have to tell you to check out Pinterest for fresh ideas? I’m sure I do not. Plan a board game day or movie marathon. My boys may not consider this fun, but daily reading is a requirement. Try to motivate your readers with summer reading programs. In many cases, they can earn cash or free books just for reading a little each day. As much as my boys love the computer and video games, it just takes a little effort for me to get them engaged in something else.

How do you keep your kids active during the summer?

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Adrienne

Somewhere along the way I picked up homeschooling two boys and blogging. When I'm not scrubbing toilets or answering endless questions, I'm usually here, over sharing it all! My writing is always honest, sometimes sarcastic, and never perfect. I hope to keep my kids from seeking adult therapy. I know. Pipe dreams...You can find me as @TheMommyMess on Twitter and on Facebook.