Summer is here and the angels are singing the Hallelujah chorus!
Well, until about one week in and mama is LOSING HER MIND. It is hot. They are bored. And destroying various rooms in the house.
As much as the teacher in me wants a break from schedules and routines this summer, I can’t deny that they really do provide the kind of structure that helps my kiddos have fun and me feel less panicked about what to do with 2 active boys every. single. day.
So I put together a few ideas I found on Pinterest and developed a simple schedule that works well for us! I am so excited to share it with you!
Make It Monday –
This is a day for using our hands and imaginations! We will set aside some time in the morning the create! Whether it be a good homemade playdough recipe, treat, or craft, we are going to make something together. Make It Monday is pretty low key – which is nice to have after a busy Sunday at church.
Check out THIS POST for lots more easy and fun Make It Monday ideas.
Take a Trip Tuesday –
There are so many fun and inexpensive outings I am hoping to do with the boys this summer! They have requested to visit the local bounce house place (which happens to be 50% off admission on Tuesdays), the library, and the mall to ride the carousel. I am also excited about trying some movie theater $1 shows this summer – which also happen to be on Tuesdays!
Water Wednesday –
Obviously this doesn’t need a ton of explanation! Anything water play is acceptable! We have a water park in our town that we are excited about trying this summer. There is also the beach, the sprinklers in the backyard, squirt guns, and Grammie’s pool!
Thoughtful Thursday –
I am a BIG fan of kindness and teaching my boys to love and serve people. You can purchase my beautiful paperback book about kindness HERE (shameless plug)! 🙂 Thursdays will be dedicated to small, thoughtful acts to bless others. Ding Dong Ditching is always a favorite activity in our family. I also want to surprise visit Grammie at work with some flowers, take donuts to our cousins, visit a nursing home, and bring cold water bottles to the garbage men on a hot day.
You can check out my other Summer Service ideas and FREE Printable HERE.
Friend Friday –
We don’t get to participate in a ton of playdates during the school year. But summer is time for fellowship and connecting with our buddies! I can’t wait to finally have some people over to our house and vice versa.
The best thing about this schedule is that it is SIMPLE. The activities/ideas don’t need to take the entire day, so there is still plenty of time for the good kind of boredom that all kids need. In the afternoons while I am making dinner there is no schedule other than GET IN THE BACKYARD.
🙂
What are you doing this summer with your kids?
Joyfully,
Julie
Yes, I love this! I have been looking for a more organized way to create this summer’s bucket list and this is it! Awesome ideas and I love the incorporation of doing something for others.
I like your simple ways of planning your days. We have created a game list for each child (games they like best to play) and all the other games they would like to play. Its helped our children pull out the games much more often!
Is there a place where I can print your list? This schedule would work great for us to and I would love to print it out!
Hi! This is great! Trying to find the link to the free printable for the simple summer schedule. What am I missing?
Hey Page! It’s actually not a printable! Maybe I will make one some day! 🙂 I am sorry to disappoint you. Thank you for stopping by!
Hi Julie,
I love the simplicity of your summer schedule. I’m an ADHD coach in Lincoln, NE. I’m doing a summer series right now on my blog which includes creating structure by using a schedule. I’ll be linking your post in my post. It will be out by next week. http://www.fantasticallyfocused.com
Have a great summer!
“Ding dong ditch” must mean something different to you. I know it as an annoying prank where kids ring the doorbell and then run away. What is your version?