I was reading a blog I found which was linked to someone I "Like" on Facebook today.  It is called the Hands Free Mama.   Her article today was what does a Hands Free Summer look like and in her blog she linked to the Top 10 Things Kids Really Want from their Parents.  You would be surprised, because trips to Disney, Ipads or a 17ft high inflatable water slide isn't on their lists!  This is what Kids Want from YOU!
  1. Come into my bedroom at night, tuck me in and sing me a song. Also tell me stories about when you were little.
  2. Give me hugs and kisses and sit and talk with me privately.
  3. Spend quality time just with me, not with my brothers and sisters around.
  4. Give me nutritious food so I can grow up healthy.
  5. At dinner talk about what we could do together on the weekend.
  6. At night talk to me about about anything; love, school, family etc.
  7. Let me play outside a lot.
  8. Cuddle under a blanket and watch our favorite TV show together.
  9. Discipline me. It makes me feel like you care.
  10. Leave special messages in my desk or lunch bag.
So, after reading this list what will your summer look like?  Here are some 90 ideas (depending on how many days your kids are out of school, there might be enough to do 1 per day): 
  1. VBS
    1. Georgetown Christian  (June 4 - 8) 
    2. Speed Memorial (June 11 - 15)
    3. Trinity Methodist (June 17 - 20)
    4. First Church of God (June 18th - 22nd)
    5. First Southern Baptist Church (June 24 - 28)
    6. Calvary Christian Church (June 24 - 29)
    7. Grace Lutheran Church (July 8th - 12th)
    8. Graceland Baptist Church (July 9 - 13)
    9. Sojurn (Midtown & J-town) (July 16 - 20) $5 per child
  2.  picnic (park, zoo, or backyard)
    1. take a picnic to Mom/Dad/Grandma/Grandpa at work
  3. Movies
    1. outdoor movie theater (go in with several people to make the projector rental less expensive)
    2. Go to an outdoor movie
    3. Cheap movies @ the theater
  4. create your own water park
    1. Tunnel-of-Fun Water Sprinkler 
    2. Kids’ Car Wash Sprinkler 
    3. Sponge Water Bombs 
    4. Water Balloon Pinata
  5. camp with smores
    1. backyard s
    2. living room
  6. have a pj day
  7. Go to a Farmers Market
  8. Have strawberry shortcake with homemade chocolate sauce
  9. make a beach in your basement or backyard
  10. Bubble Fun
    1. Giant Bubble Wand 
    2. Water bottle bubbles 
    3. Refill Idea
  11. Make Lemonade and have a lemonade stand
  12. Read Together
    1. New Albany Library Reading Program
    2. Pottery Barn Reading Program
  13. Visit a fire department.
    1. you could always make them cookies to say thank you for protecting you
  14. Build a fort
  15. Take a nature hike.
  16. Take an  "Alphabet tour"... again camera(s) in hand, journals - letter guides for younger kids - drive to town/city - begin with the letter a (Apple street) b (building) c (colosseum) d(dairy queen) e(eatery) you get the drift - when you are done - each child has a personal and creative alphabet memory book.
  17. Make homeade ice cream 
  18. Go on a scavengar hunt
  19. Host a neighborhood carnival (we're talking bean bag toss, use the water gun to shoot the ducky, egg on the spoon, those kind of games)  - each neighbor hosts a game/activity and gives out a snack/drink - makes for a very fun day..
  20. Go to an outdoor concert
  21. Check out your Lowes, Home Depot, Michaels for kids club projects.
  22. Cook with your kids & their friends - SO what if it isn't pretty!  They will REMEMBER the fun times in the kitchen!
  23. Fly a kite
  24. Sew
  25. Make Popsicles
  26. Make sock puppets - put on a puppet shows.
  27. Hide plastic toys in the sand box & excavate
  28. Play dress up.
  29. Watch for shooting stars.
  30. Make ice cube boats
  31. Make an obstacle course out of your back yard and have races.
  32. Pretend you are spys in your home.  
  33. Make Sidewalk Chalk Paint.
  34. Play flashlight tag.
  35. Pick out cloud animals
  36. Make dinner for another family.
  37. Play in the rain
  38. Go fishing.
  39. Go Bathtub Fishing
  40. Go on a bike ride.
  41. Melt and create with crayons. 
  42. Visit a local state park.
  43. Do a good deed for someone.
  44. Go bowling at an alley or make your own!
  45. Watch Fireworks
  46. Feed the ducks
  47. Make & Play Bean Bag Toss
  48. Catch fireflies
  49. Plant a garden using seeds from your vegetables/fruits.
  50. Tour local historic sites.
  51. Make a star gazing map. 
  52. Check with a local farm - offer to help feed the animals.Go to Blackacre Conservancy.
  53. Set up hotwheels races in the driveway.
  54. Have a LEGO building contest (using x# pieces, only using blue pieces, creating something a certain height, create something that moves, etc.)
  55. Make a doll.
  56. Hunt for animal tracks.
  57. Play charades. 
  58. Go to a small town parade.
  59. Have a dress up party
  60. Blow up Diet coke with mentos.
  61. Walk your neighbor's dog
  62. Make sillouettes. These would be great to frame and give as Christmas gifts.
  63. Learn bird calls. Go to Blackacre Conservancy.
  64. Fairs & Festivals
  65. Have a glow balloon toss at night.  Buy the glow sticks & balloons at the dollar store.  
  66. Factory Tours
  67. Check out Bass Pro Summer Family Events
  68. Have a high tea, only use iced-teas. 
  69. Play mini-golf.
  70. Finger Paint
  71. Play with Salt Clay
  72. Make balloon animals
  73. Make potato stamps
  74. Take a nap under a shade tree.  
  75. Make paper airplanes.
  76. Give your child a camera.  You might be surprised to see what they see!
  77. Play post office
  78. Make musical instruments
  79. Have a movie marathon
  80. Make a root beer float.  
  81. Watch the sunrise.
  82. Watch the sunset.
  83. Tye die shirts
  84. Make a bird feeder
  85. Have a Christmas party and have guests bring food for a pantry or toys for an orphanage.
  86. Eat dinner for breakfast.  Lunch for lunch & breakfast for dinner.  
  87. Eat Ice cream for breakfast.
  88. Skip stones at a lake. 
  89. Learn how to hula-hoop.
  90. Travel around the world and try new foods.
  91. Watch air planes land. 
  92. Glow sticks in the bathtub.
  93. Sponge Finger painting 
  94. Mini rainbow volcanoes.
  95. Create a silly holiday.
  96. Blow up a balloon with vinegar and Baking Soda.
  97. Harry marker mirror faces.
  98. Ice cube paint. Freeze water and food color in ice trays. Freeze with a toothpick or popsicle stick. Go outside if it's warm and enjoy some cold painting.
  99. Make homemade lava lamps.
  100. Paint and Roll Marbles.
  101. Tear drop volcanoes.
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