Sun’s Blazing, Experiences Await: Craft Your Summer Activity Vision Board!

Sun’s Blazing, Experiences Await: Craft Your Summer Activity Vision Board!

Here are some awesome ideas to get started on your Summer vision board! This summer, ditch the ordinary and focus on creating unforgettable memories with your family at home and you can also support amazing small businesses in your community.

Let’s Get Crafty At Home (All Ages):

• DIY Tie-Dye Party: Unleash your creativity with a tie-dye party! Grab a kit from a local craft store (I love www.michaels.com) and plain white shirts, socks, or pillowcases. Many kits come with vibrant dyes and instructions for different patterns. This messy but fun activity is perfect for all ages.
• DIY Ice Cream Sundae Bar Party: Beat the summer heat with a delicious and creative DIY ice cream sundae bar party! Purchase ice cream and toppings from your local grocery store. Let everyone design their own dream sundae for a fun and tasty treat!

Backyard Bonanza (All Ages):

• Backyard Campout Pitch a tent in your backyard, roast marshmallows over a fire pit, and tell spooky stories under the stars. You can find cute camping gear and accessories specifically designed for kids at local outdoors stores.

Supporting Local Gems:

• Local Farmers Market (All Ages): Farmers markets are a great way to spend a summer morning. Pick up fresh, seasonal produce, locally-made crafts, and delicious prepared foods. Many markets have live music or entertainment, making it a fun and enriching outing for the whole family.
• Escape Room Challenge (Ages 10+) Put your teamwork skills to the test at a local escape room. These offer a variety of themed challenges that require you to work together to solve puzzles within a time limit. This is a great activity for older kids and teens looking for a unique adventure.
• Smash Room Fun (Teens and Up): Many local businesses offer rage room experiences, also known as smash rooms. These provide a safe and controlled environment to let loose and smash dishes, electronics, or other objects. Check with individual businesses for age restrictions, as some may have a minimum age of 13 or 18. This can be a great stress reliever for teens and adults (if you’re in or near Petersburg, VA be sure to drop into www.themadhouseva.com, it’s such a cool spot)
• Indulge Your Sweet Tooth at a Local Dessert Shop (All Ages): Beat the summer heat with a delicious treat from a local bakery, ice cream shop, or frozen yogurt place. Many small businesses offer unique flavors and homemade specialties!
• Treasure Hunt at a Local Toy Store (Ages 1+): Spark your child’s imagination with a visit to a locally-owned toy store. These stores often have a curated selection of toys, games, and books that you won’t find at big-box chains. Let your kids pick out a special summer surprise! It’s ALL about the experience.
• Get Messy with Fun at a Local Paint Studio (Ages 2+): Unleash your inner artist at a local paint and sip studio! These studios offer guided painting sessions where you can follow along with an instructor or create your own masterpiece. Making it a fun social outing for the whole family (visiting the RVA area? Check out www.artsyimagination.com).
• Museum, Zoo or Aquarium Visit (All Ages): Many museums, zoos and aquariums offer special summer programs and events for families. This is a great way to learn something new and have fun at the same time. Check your local listings to see what’s happening near you.
• Children’s Spa Day (Ages 5+): A child spa focuses on pampering kids in a fun and playful way. Services may include, facials, manicures, pedicures, make-up etc. 
• Yoga for Kids (Ages 4+) Many libraries or community centers offer children’s yoga classes. These playful sessions combine yoga postures, breathing exercises, and mindfulness activities to promote relaxation and focus. It’s a great way for kids to unwind and connect with their bodies in a fun and positive way.
• Indoor Play Spaces (Ages 1+) : Where imaginations soar! Kids dress up, act out their dreams,& explore in mini kitchens, fire trucks, & play stores. Perfect for sparking creativity & social play.

Subscription Fun:

• Sensory Play (Ages 2+): Keep little hands busy and engaged with a sensory play subscription box from a small business. These boxes often come with different themed activities that incorporate a variety of textures, colors, and smells to stimulate the senses (we totally recommend www.melylusensoryplay.com).
• Arts and Crafts (Ages 2+): Let your child’s creativity run wild with a monthly arts and crafts subscription box. Many small businesses offer boxes curated for different age groups and interests, with all the supplies you need to complete fun and creative projects. Sharing so many different methods of learning.
• Cooking (Ages 5+): Bond with your kids in the kitchen with a family-friendly cooking subscription box. These boxes often come with pre-measured ingredients and recipes for delicious and easy-to-make meals. Look for boxes from small businesses that use fresh, seasonal ingredients
• Science Experiment Kit (Ages 5+): Spark your child’s curiosity about science with a cool kit from a local toy store or educational website. There are kits available for all ages and interests, from volcano building to crystal growing.

Cool Family Adventures:

• Roller-skating Rink Roll Back the Years (Ages 5+): Lace up your skates and hit the rink for a retro roller skating adventure! Many local roller rinks offer family nights or themed skate sessions.
• Explore by Bike (Ages 5+): Take a Family Bike Tour. Rent bikes from a local shop and explore your city or town on two wheels. Plan your route to include scenic parks, historical landmarks, or refreshing ice cream stops.
• Set Sail on a Relaxing Boat Ride (All Ages): Enjoy a scenic boat ride on a local lake, river, or harbor.
• Mini Golf for the Win (Ages 5+): Challenge your family to a round of mini golf! This is a fun and affordable activity for all ages, and many courses offer unique themes or challenges.
• Strike Up Some Fun at a Bowling Alley (Ages 4+): Head to a local bowling alley for some classic fun. Many bowling alleys offer family nights or specials, and most have ramps and lighter balls available for younger children.

Embrace the Great Outdoors (All Ages):  

• Hike or Nature Walk: Lace up your shoes and explore a local trail. Many parks offer scenic hikes suitable for all ages, while some libraries may even organize guided nature walks led by experts.
• Gardens with Music and Food: Immerse yourselves in the beauty and tranquility of a botanical garden or arboretum. Some gardens host special evenings with live music, creating a magical atmosphere to relax and enjoy a picnic (check the garden’s website for event schedules).

Imagination Station (All Ages):

• Build a Cardboard City: Gather up those cardboard boxes and let your imaginations run wild! You can build houses, cars, spaceships, or anything else you can dream up. This is a great way to encourage creativity and problem-solving skills in kids of all ages.
• DIY Fort Building Challenge: Grab some blankets, pillows, and chairs and see who can build the most impressive fort! This classic childhood activity is sure to keep kids entertained for hours.

Bonus Adventures:

• Library Quest! Explore Your Local Library (Ages 3+): Your local library is a treasure trove of summer fun! Many libraries offer free summer reading programs with prizes and incentives to keep kids engaged. They also host a variety of exciting events throughout the summer
• Volunteer as a Family (All Ages): Give back to your community by volunteering as a family at a local soup kitchen, animal shelter, or park. This is a great way to teach kids about the importance of helping others and make a positive impact.