Here we are at the end of yet another school year. Summer fun in the sun, swimming and vacations…the only problem is that none of it lasts forever. Read on for four fun ideas to keep the summer fun going and those little ones entertained.

Chalk the Sidewalk

Come up with a theme, perhaps the 4th of July? Get out the sidewalk chalk and see who can draw the best fireworks and rockets and don’t forget “Old Glory”! I am sure the neighbors would love to walk by and see all of the fun artwork from this challenge no matter what your theme is! Get the kids outside and let them be creative! This one can take all day (if you have enough pavement.)

Dirt Design Challenge

If you have kids, you must have at least one patch in the yard that nothing ever grows because the kids keep digging there for some reason. Or maybe you have a sandbox in your yard. Give the kids a stick and let them draw in the dirt or sand. There are several ways this challenge can go. You can do a guess-the-drawing game where one child draws and the others try to guess what they are drawing. Another idea is to yell out a random item and see who can draw it the best. The nice thing is that you can smooth out the sand and do it again and again. This is one challenge that will occupy the kids for hours and give you the break you need!

“Tour the World” Challenge

Would you rather have an educational activity that will keep the kids engaged for up to a week while keeping them out of the heat? Try out the “Tour the World” Challenge. In this challenge, each kid will choose a country in the world and research that country. They will learn what foods are eaten there, what the famous landmarks are there. Maybe your child loves to cook and wants to try cooking a traditional dish from their country or paint a picture that represents their country in some way. In the end, the kids will present their country to the entire family and show everyone what they learned and created. No matter how far you decide to take this challenge, the kids will sure to have a lot of fun learning about a different place.

Online Art or Science Classes

Do you prefer to stay indoors but let the kids use their imaginations and create a masterpiece? Find some fun little online art or science classes to pass the time. You will have to gather your own supplies for the class but with the availability of Zoom, you don’t have to live right next door to the teacher and you are sure to find a class that fits your busy schedule.

Innoverse STEAM Center (a segment of Okayest Crafter Blog) can do online art classes by appointment. Just click on the Innoverse STEAM Center page on this blog and fill out the contact form. Innoverse can create a lesson tailored to your kids’ interests or themes. Be sure to check it out!

Summer vacations come and go and yet we still find ourselves searching out exciting things to keep the kids busy without breaking the bank. Be sure to try out these ideas and head over to my Facebook page and post a picture of your final results. Don’t forget to like this page and subscribe to my newsletter for more crafty tips!