Since I work full-time, I want to make sure that I find fun things to do for my 4yo on weeknights and weekends. I did some research and thinking and came up with a list for us…I think these ideas might be helpful in planning some summer activities for you as well.
1. Build a Blanket Fort. Remember back in the day when all there was to do was build forts? This BuzzFeed article not only has a sweet infographic, it has some sick fort pics too.
2. Make some Dirt Pudding and put it in some cute Mason Jars via lovely little details.
3. Photographer for a Day. Give your little one a throw-away camera (think cheap, generic brand) or if you trust him enough let him borrow your digital camera. Print pics and have him caption the photos…maybe even make into a scrapbook. (This project could take a few days!)
4. Film your own version of the Pharrell “Happy” Video…maybe even ask some friends/cousins/neighbors to make a cameo. Upload to youtube if you’re feeling crazy.
5. Make an old school friendship bracelet. Scotch tape and a hard surface necessary.
6. Turn off electronics for a day: iPads, Kindles, TVs, Computers. This might be hard, especially if your family is like mine- tech crazed. I plan on dropping a no-electronics-for-the-day bomb in my house this summer….stay tuned for results.
7. Two Words: Shrinky Dinks
8. Show him what a Random Act of Kindness is.
9. Give him some scissors and let him “cut the grass”. My son will do this for a long period of time before getting bored, which is very rare.
10. Build a campfire and make hot dogs and s’mores on said campfire.
11. Sleep outside in a tent. If you don’t feel comfortable sleeping outside, sleep inside…in a tent.
12. Learn a foreign language. Notice how EVERYTHING YOU SAY stays in that head of his? If you don’t know another language, try Rosetta Stone for the family. If you know a foreign language but want to teach your little one, try out littlepim.com.
13. Try a new food. Maybe he will actually like sushi!
14. Count coins.
15. See a Play. Do some research and see if there is a local high school, middle school or acting group putting on a show.
16. Watch your Wedding Video. He is old enough now to sort of understand and he will recognize you and all of your friends and family…let’s just hope he doesn’t ask why everyone has a bottle or glass in their hands!
17. Find a creek/river/pond/lake and skip some rocks. I did this the other day with my 4yo and he thought it was the coolest thing.
18. Go on a date. Moms, take your son out to a movie or out for ice cream. Dads, do the same with your daughter.
19. Help him set up an old school lemonade stand and donate the money to a charity.
20. Drive an hour and visit a new town.
21. Clean and purge. Donate old books and toys. Ask him to be your helper.
22. Plant some fruits, veggies or herbs.
23. Make this delicious Raspberry Cheesecake Smoothie via creme de la crumb.
24. Rent a bounce house on a random day…not just for a birthday party. Do you know how happy he will be?
25. Go to a movie. Not many kids movies coming out this summer, but How to Train Your Dragon 2 comes out Friday, June 13th. See the first one beforehand 🙂
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