ABC’s of Summer Activities
ART HOUR- Paint, sketch, color, collage, sculpt, glitter, stickers, chalk, shaving cream, food coloring, oil pastels…. Try to set aside time everyday (if possible) for your child to create something beautiful.
BLOCK PARTY- Invite the neighbors out for an evening (organized or spontaneous) of friends, food, and fun! Have everyone bring something to share.
CARDBOARD BOX CREATIONS- Let your imagination run wild. You would be surprised how much fun you can have!
DRAMATIC PLAY- Join in on the fun! You can pretend anywhere you go and without a single prop. Try it!!
EVENTS- From city-wide garage sales to Austin City Limits, there is ALWAYS something going on in Austin.
FLY KITES- Get a head-start by practicing now for the Kite Festival held annually at Zilker Park (usually in April).
GLOW STICKS IN THE BATHTUB- You can buy 100 glow sticks for $5.89 at Michaels (with a coupon, even cheaper!)
HELP COOK- Let your child be the sous chef. Mixing, pouring, and measuring are all very important (and fun) jobs!
INTERNATIONAL DAY- Pick a different culture to study for a day. Wear clothes and eat the traditional foods from this culture. This is a great opportunity to expose your child to the world around them.
JUMPY PLACE- No better way to let your child run off some of that endless energy than on an inflatable playscape!
KAYAK or CANOE- Get up close and personal with the turtles on Lady Bird Lake. Don’t forget sunscreen and a hat!
LIBRARY- Not only will they let you take some of their books home for three weeks, but they also have a couple kid-friendly computers with educational games! Check out story time, music, and movies at one of the Austin Public Library locations. All you need is a picture ID and proof of address such as a bill, etc.
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS FROM ‘JUNK’- A cardboard guitar and a tin can drum is all you need to start a family band!
NATURE WALKS- Collect rocks, sticks, leaves and flowers to make nature collages. Don’t forget the bug spray!
ORGANIZE- Clean out your child’s room (or whole house!). Let your child help in the whole process. Make a pile of items you want to give away. Tell them where the donated items are going and why. Turn cleaning into a game!
PICNIC- Have a picnic in the park or in your backyard. Or set up a pretend picnic with teddy bears in the living room.
QUIET TIME- Everyone needs a little R&R every now and then! Set aside time each day for quiet activities like reading. Read to your child and ask open-ended questions such as, “What do you think is going to happen next?”
ROUND ROCK EXPRESS- Head down to the Dell Diamond for a hotdog and a homerun!
SWIM! SPLASH PADS! Springs! Swimming Holes! SPRINKLERS! SLIP-N-SLIDE! SPLASH AND SCORE! SPRAY BOTTLES! SIX FLAGS! SCHLITTERBAHN! SEAWORLD! SOUTH PADRE ISLAND!
TRIKE, BIKE, OR HIKE- Get out and get moving! APA recommends at least 45-60 minutes of activity daily.
UNDER THE STARS- Camp out in your own backyard (or for real if you’re brave)! Make s ‘mores, shadow puppets, tell stories, & gaze at the stars. Learn the constellations’ names or let your child make them up.
VOLUNTEER- The lesson of compassion and giving back is one we must never over-look. Find time to volunteer to help others. For ideas of organizations in the Austin area click here.Involve your child and set an example for them.
WATER BALLOON TOSS- Can’t be afraid to get a little wet! For an interesting twist, try it with an egg or a sponge.
XYLOPHONES (AND ALL OTHER FORMS OF MUSIC)- Have a Dance Party!!! Get moving and grooving! Be silly…
YARD SALE- A fun way to clean out the house and make some money for some of the more costly summer fun trips.
ZOO TRIP- Austin Zoo & Animal Sanctuary; Capital of Texas Zoo; San Antonio Zoo; Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch; Cameron Park Zoo
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