This summer we are short on funds (it seems we are always short on funds…but who isn’t?). However, I really wanted to make sure that we had a super fun summer. So the day after school ended Simon (my little guy) and I sat down and made a 3 page list of ideas that sounded fun and cost next to nothing.
Since then we’ve been busy crossing activities off of that list. Here are a few of the favorites thus far:
#1. Jedi Bubble Training: Cost: $1 for the bubble wand (we already had the light saber)
Step one… get your light saber (saber? saver? I don’t know, who do I look like, Yoda?) and somebody to blow some bubbles. (Dad’s are perfect for this.)
Step Two…give the bubble blower the ready sign…
Step Three…prepare yourself for battle…
Step Four…use the force to crush all the bubbles from the dark side…
***Note***In all fairness, this is kind of cheating. We made this game up last summer and played it like crazy. BUT it’s still a favorite and is on the list for this summer. We usually play it in the evenings after dinner. It’s a fun way to end the day.
#2. Minute to Win It Challenges: Cost: $0—most challenges use items found in your home
#3. Paper Airplane Contests: Cost: $0—all you need are pieces of paper
#4. Toothpick and Gumdrop Construction: Cost: $1 for the box of toothpicks and $1 for each boy a giant box of gumdrops
…or running underneath with your buddies…
We also cut and drilled other pieces that can be taken apart, rebuilt and configured into different shapes for water fun on the lawn…I think the boys actually have more fun building the pipes than they do running through them with the water…
And while I’d love to take credit for this idea of summer time perfection I’ve seen variations of it all over the Internet. (Two of these places are here and here )
#6. Origami: Cost: Several sheets of printer paper
#7. The Treasure Hunt: Cost: This can be as cheap or as expensive as you make it…it’s all up to you!
elizabeth says
Love the Jedi bubble training camp idea….how have we never known about or joined in on that one? I think that we should do that for the adults at the next Evans’ family event. I’ll bring the light sabers.
Amy Louise Stokke says
These ideas are so creative! I have no kids, but I’m tempted to do these with my husband. He’d love the Jedi training and paper airplanes. Competition is a language spoken by men of every age.
pangaloon says
I read an article recently about a researcher who went to Japan to study childhood street games. His research has to stop because he was unable to observe children playing games outside, they were all indoors plugged into computer games. It warms my heart to see the joy that children have from the simplest of activities. Water play can be enjoyed by all ages- even adults, and I adore the gum and stick building game- I really wan to try that.
Thank you for each and every one of those brilliant summer game ideas xxx
The Iowa Farmer's Wife says
These are such great ideas! Especially love the treasure hunt and gumdrop construction!!! FUN!
allenaim photography and design says
oh my goodness…I am totally bookmarking this post! What a fabulous collection of ideas…and I TOTALLY love the minute to win it idea…waht a treasure trove of ideas…
Kelly @ Run With Glitter says
I love the gumdrops!!!! Awesome!
Quilted Cupcake says
Great ideas all. I love the Minute to Win it idea – gotta try it! Found you through Sugar Bee – thanks for sharing!
Amanda says
Thanks for sharing some great ideas! My boys might be a bit young for some, but I’m sure I will enjoy them!
Deborah March says
GREAT ideas! I have three little grandsons with me for the whole summer, so I’ve bookmarked your post…thanks for the inspiration!
Deborah from http://upcyclingmylife.blogspot.com
Christie says
Such great ideas! I need to do some of these with my kids 🙂
Becky says
I love your ideas. I’m gonna add them to our bucket list ideas for next summer! I am especially excited to try gumdrop construction and the pvc pipe sprinkler!