Summertime fun to keep your kids happy AND fit

It's that time of year when the kids are almost out of school and the days are getting warmer. You are wondering how you are going to keep them from strangling each other before summer ends. 

Here are a few ideas to keep those kids happy AND fit this summer. 

1. Join a seasonal swim team or join a pool where they can cool off, play, and have fun with other kids. Swimming is a great life skill, a total body exercise, and it's fun! Most seasonal swim teams start just after memorial day, so don't delay. 

2. Take a train ride to another city and explore. Yes, it takes longer to get to where you want to go, but it is such a great experience and one they won't forget.

3. Water games are always a fun way to cool off during the hot summer months. Get an attachment for your sprinkler, a slip'n slide, water balloons, or just turn on the hose.

4.  Create something! Pinterest has tons of craft ideas, science experiments, art projects, and games that will keep your kids busy for a few hours (ok, at least a few minutes). 

5. Go on an outing! Kids love an outing to pretty much anywhere that isn't their own house. Explore the children's museum, the library, science center, aquarium, a local farm or the zoo. Many cities offer free or discounted movies for kids, too. 

6. Take a hike! Living in North Carolina, we are lucky enough to be surrounded by mountains. A day trip to a state park for a hike and a picnic is one of our families favorite things to do.

7. Go for a bike ride, scooter ride or roller skate. Leave those motorized toys at home and get those legs moving and hearts pumping. 

8. Make a refreshing snack. Once again, Pinterest to the rescue. There you will find more than enough healthy summertime treats that kids will have a ball making. I love making fresh fruit popsicles. Simply puree your favorite fruits and pour them into a popsicle mold. Freeze for 2 hours.

I hope some of these ideas will help you have a happy, fit, and healthy summer! 

Be well

BHW