Ideas for Family Fun Activities for Summertime

This sponsored post on Ideas for Family Fun Activities for Summertime was written on behalf of Netflix.

Summer is halfway over and school will be starting back up before we know it.

While we are still homeschooling through the summer, I like to give the boys lots of ways they can enjoy the long summer days and build relationships in the family. 

Otherwise, I might be hearing the “I’m bored” cry coming from them at all hours of the day.

What are some of the ways we have fun as a family during the summer?

Family Fun Activities

By no means is the following an exhaustive list of activities to do during the summer.

They are, however, the ones our family easily adds into our days.

Back (or Front) Yard Play

Both bubble solution and sidewalk chalk can be picked up at a low cost considering the hours of creative fun the kids can have. 

With a long paved driveway, my boys could spend hours decorating it.  And, clean-up is as easy as spraying it down with water!

Blowing bubbles is another activity done outside that can be enjoyable for most ages.

Another alternative is to pick up a few ‘yard games’ or make your own. 

Using a ball to knock down bowling pins made from empty bottles is fun for just about any age. 

At the moment, my boys are loving the trampoline I picked up on sale this May and THEY helped to set it up.

Bike Riding

What youngster doesn’t enjoy getting on their own set of wheels and seeing how fast they can go? 

My boys are a bit more limited given the large wildlife population around our house.  Considering there was a bit old pile of bear poop in the street last week, I’m not so inclined to let my 9 and 12-year-old ride their bikes up and down the neighborhood at the moment. 

So, for now, they are sequestered to the backyard unless the eldest son or their dad is with them.  But even little J can enjoy that location and pick up some speed on the short incline we have.

Hiking

Everywhere we have lived, we have found neat trails or locations where we could hike and enjoy nature. 

The key to a fun hiking adventure is being prepared. 

Depending on your locale, that could mean just comfy shoes and a water bottle.  Up here, it includes bug spray for the monster-sized mosquitoes we get and carrying some form of protection from bears.

Overnight Expeditions

Since buying an RV this spring for a big family trip, we are trying to utilize this resource and get out to enjoy Alaska this summer. 

Even without an RV, you can get out and visit local spots close to your home. 

Tent camping can be quite economical and is something that all of my older boys have enjoyed over the years.  When we lived in Ohio, they’d backyard camp as our property sloped down to a little ‘valley’ that felt secluded. 

You can also pick a location a relatively short drive from home and look for deals on a hotel room. For those of us without regular access to a pool, the ability to dive into one is delightful.

Family ‘Movie Night’

This is something that we do year-round, including summertime.

Everyone gets to vote on what to watch. The key is that we need a family-friendly selection to cover everyone.

Thanks to Netflix, we can easily select a family-friendly show and rest assured that the content will not be objectionable to us.  Sometimes we not only find something to entertain, but also a selection that fits with our homeschooling needs.

If you use a Kids profile, then all the suggestions should be family-friendly. Just keep in mind that some are geared for older kids while others appeal to just the preschool ages.

Compared to the cost of going TO a movie, Netflix is a bargain for unlimited instant streaming with NO commercials Plus, we can make all of our own favorite snacks to have at home without breaking the bank to do it.

If only ONE son wants to watch a show, they can do it on the iPad.  But, if it’s several people, we can stream it either through the computer or our BluRay player. 

We’ve recently watched ParaNorman on Netflix and have a few in our instant queue for upcoming rainy days (including Mirror, Mirror and Down and Derby.)  

What ideas do you have for fun-filled summer days?
What activities are your kids’ favorites to do?

• Netflix Just for Kids for Safe Family Viewing #NetflixKids
• Plan for Fun with a Summer Camp Kit
• Find Easy Summer Activities to Fit Your Child
• Homeschool Hints Meme ~ Netflix!

Netflix.com/Families is a new destination designed to meet your family’s summertime entertainment needs. On Netflix.com/Families, parents can find lists of movies and TV shows for all kinds of special summer moments.

Visit www.Netflix.com/Families for more information on the best ways to stream as well as videos from families using Netflix.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Netflix.