For many kids, summer break will be ending sooner then they’d like to think of. The lazy mornings, the camp-outs, the VBS–all of it will have to wait until next summer in a few weeks, and the groans are about to start. But before it all wraps-up, try some of these fun memory-making-moments and “little things” that they can take back with them to school (and maybe hold them off until next summer):

1. Cannonball

Upon one’s first cannonball, the summer officially begins. Right?

2. Popsicles

Top of the summertime menu? Popsicles! A box of pops from the grocery or homemade popsicles, no matter. Cold and icy treats are a hot weather must.

3. Adventure

There are a million ways to adventure in the summertime. Wade through the tidepools, go boating with friends, gaze at the stars (aka look for UFOs), or head out to the nature trails. We wait all winter for this weather. Enjoy! Seek! Discover!

4. Bare Feet

Nothing says summertime like peeling off your sandals and hitting the cool grass or the warm pavement in your bare feet. Yesssss. Free tootsies make everybody happy!

5. Water Fun

The best summer memories always include lots of wet and wild fun. Swimming, Slip ‘n’ Sliding, water gun fighting, sprinkler dancing, or just floating peacefully on a raft, it’s time to jump right in!

6. Peaches

Eating a perfectly ripe peach is like devouring summertime. It’s not summer until you’ve sunk your teeth into a sweet and fuzzy one and let its juices run down your arm.

7. Water Balloons

Water balloons, oh yeee-ah. The traditional water balloon toss is fun for littles, but a full-on water balloon fight might be more your family’s style (be careful!). For some really wet action, try water balloon baseball. Those homeruns get you drenched!

8. Friends

Summertime is all about palling around with your favorite friends. Call ’em up, text ’em, go knock on their door. Let the memory making begin.

9. Air Conditioning

Nothing feels better after a full summer day at the pool than dry underwear and an air-conditioned house (yes, a fan blowing across a block of ice works too!). Heaven.

 

10. Play

Playtime is what summer’s all about in a kid’s life. Staying late at the besties’, hiding and seeking out back after dark, and goofing off past “school year bedtime” every night — playing never felt so good.

11. Books

Summer means reading whatever you want … finally! The library and their insanely high checkout limits await.

12. Hammocks

Heck yeah, haaammmock, take me away!

13. Sunscreen Smell

The smell of sunscreen evokes beautiful summertime memories in all of us. And besides … Burnt = sad. Not burnt = happy.

14. Drive-In Movies

If you’re lucky enough to still have one of these old-school, drive-in movie theaters, then go … THIS summer … GO!!! It doesn’t even matter what’s playing as long as there’s popcorn, sweets, and a cozy blanket.

15. Fireflies

If you live in or are visiting firefly country this summer, nothing makes for a more magical evening than catching fireflies. Catch ’em in a jar, check out their glow up close, and then set them free again.

16. Backyard Camping

Real camping is fun, but it means time away and takes a lot of planning. When you can’t fit in a getaway, pitch your tent in the backyard, make s’mores on the BBQ, and stargaze until you slip into your sleeping bags for the night. Simple, satisfying summertime!

17. Watermelon

There is no such thing as too much watermelon in the summertime.

18. Blanket Forts

Every kid should build a gigantic fortress (or as they’re known to adults, a small blanket fort) now and again. Blazing hot summer days full of boredom and angst are PERFECT for fort-building, and an imaginative fort is the place where any kid can disappear for awhile (wink, wink, moms!).

 

What things always MADE summer for you? Leave your thoughts below in the comment section ~Nikki :)

 

Thanks Sheri Reed for the article info for this entry!