Catch Fireflies at Dusk
This is a perfect activity to wind down a busy day. Catch fireflies (or, as they are often called, lightning bugs) with your hands and then transfer them (temporarily) to a jar with holes punched in the lid. Kids will enjoy the thrill of the chase as well as trying to see how many they can catch. Don’t forget to let them go afterwards!
Climb a Tree
Find one suitable for climbing, go as high as you dare, and enjoy a different perspective on the world. Eat an apple up there, or take a favorite book along.
Watch a Butterfly Develop
Find a caterpillar, and put it in a jar with a few sticks and leaves. Don’t forget to punch some air holes in the top. Check each day to see your caterpillar spin his cocoon and eventually emerge as a beautiful butterfly.
Take a Long Walk
Explore where you’ve never been before. Try a local park with walking paths, or if you’re lucky enough to live in a wooded area, safe paths near your own backyard. Leave the ipod at home and concentrate on what you see and hear.
Wade in a Stream
Roll up your pant legs and jump in. Be on the lookout for crayfish, frogs, assorted bugs, and other living things that make creek beds their home. Skip some stones; cool your feet, or just splash around.
Feed the Animals
Find a local farm or petting zoo that has animals you can touch. Opportunities to pet, feed, brush, and otherwise interact with animals is a unique experience that can have a calming effect on many children.
Go Fishing
A stick, some string, and some bait are all you need to get started. Or you can pick up an inexpensive, used fishing pole at a yard sale. Find out where the locals fish, and try your hand at this fun, relaxing sport appropriate for kids of all ages.
Examine Bugs
You can buy all sorts of bug kits, but any see-through container will do. Provide dirt, leaves, and rocks for your bug’s habitat. Use a magnifying glass to get up close and personal.
Build a Fort
Leftover building materials can provide kids with hours of creative outdoor fun. Be sure kids are old enough and mature enough to use tools appropriately, and stress the importance of safety. Kids will enjoy working together to build a “place of their own”, no matter how primitive.
Pick Some Berries
Many farms offer opportunities to pick your own berries. Check around to see what fruits are in season. You bring your own container, and then pay a per pound price for what you pick. Kids of all ages can get into the spirit of this fun and often messy activity. Plus, the kids will get a real kick out of eating berries they pick themselves.
For more cool things to do with kids this summer, check out Nature Activities for Teens, Fun Family Activities that Teach or Activities for Parents and Teens. And remember, sometimes the best ideas are the simplest.
Susan Carney - I have been working as a middle school counselor with 6th and 7th grade students for the past thirteen years. I received a BA in ...
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