Say Yes to More Fun This Summer
We’ve reached the point in the summer where some of us are craving the return of fall routines and others are hanging on to the slower summer days. We’re encouraging you to lean into the chaotic summer days when you can. We’re hoping you can relax your routines and have a little more fun this summer. Think about your favorite summer activities from your childhood and how you can recreate them as an adult. Is there something new you’ve wanted to try and haven’t been able to make time for? Is there something your kids would love to do that you typically say no to? Do it this summer! We’re sharing some ideas today to spark your own ideas or inspire your list. Pick a time to sit down with your family and your planner and create a Yes Summer List!
SAY YES TO SUMMER!
Breakfast for dinner! Waffles, crepes, pancakes, eggs, or French toast.
Do Nothing Day - On a hot or rainy day, plan nothing! Stay in pajamas all day. Be lazy.
Beach Breakfast - Plan a beach morning! Get up early and pack a beach bag and cooler with cold drinks. Stop for bagels or donuts on your way and head to the beach. No beach? Plan a pool morning or park picnic!
Drawing Date - Put together a drawing kit of paper, markers, colored pencils, or watercolors and brushes. Choose a spot to spend an afternoon or evening drawing and painting.
Blanket Pile Movie Day - Gather all the blankets and pillows and make a big comfy pile. Make some popcorn and set out a variety of toppings to customize your popcorn. Pick a movie to watch and get cozy in the pile.
Late Night Diner Run - When there are no obligations the next day, pick a night to do an evening diner run. Let everyone order what they like.
Hot and Humid No Cook Week - When it’s too hot, plan a no cook week. Make simple dinners that don’t heat up the kitchen like chicken salad, BLTs or breakfast sandwiches, hard boiled eggs, prosciutto, and fresh fruit.
Home Cafe Menu - Pretend your kitchen is a cafe and enlist the family to help craft a special menu for the week.
Lemonade Stand - Plan a lemonade stand. Our favorite lemonade recipe is one cup of simple syrup, one cup of lemon juice, a pinch of salt, and five cups of water. Taste and adjust to your taste! A batch of sugar cookie bars or chocolate chip cookie bars are perfect to package in individual bags and sell too.
Bored Basket - Put together a basket with decks of cards, board games, puzzles, and simple activities for low-key afternoons and free time.
Family Yes Day - Plan a family yes day and allow everyone to give their input for activities and meals.
Summer Scrapbook - Make a summer scrapbook. Utilize your Golden Coil Notebook and hang on to ticket stubs, menus, print photos, and record memories throughout the summer. Provide space for every family member to add their own summer memories. You can keep everything organized in a basket (pens, washi tape, markers, stickers, glue stick, stamps) so it’s available to everyone when inspiration strikes.
Pick up some disposable cameras for each family member to take on your next trip.
Make a summer collection - think sea glass, shells, stones, pressed flowers, leaves, matchbooks, etc.
Ice Cream Taste Test Night - Choose one flavor and a of couple brands to taste test. Once you’ve tasted them all, assemble ice cream sundaes with lots of toppings.
Cook Ahead for the Week - Help future you by assembling some meals early in the week. Make a batch of slow cooker chicken breasts, turkey chili, rice, PBJ sandwiches for the freezer, or roasted vegetables to help you later in the week and save turning the oven on every night. This will give you more free time during the week for last minute adventures!
Late Night Reading - Stay up late reading a good book. If you have older kids, give them the chance to stay up and read a favorite book too.
Learn a New Card Game - Choose a new card game to learn as a family! We recommend Dutch Blitz, Spite & Malice, Nertz, and Left, Right, Center.
Bracelet Making - Put together a container with embroidery floss, beads, and supplies for making bracelets. For more advanced crafters, find a new challenging pattern to try!
Summer Memory Jar - Keep a jar in the kitchen to add summer treasures to such as seashells, loose change for ice cream trips, and scraps of paper with silly moments or quotes recorded on them.
Assemble a Picnic Bag - Put together a picnic bag. Include a blanket, sunscreen, bug spray, small paper plates, and napkins. Next time you decide to see the concert in the park, grab your assembled bag, pick up some sandwiches and drinks at the local deli, and you’ll be ready to go!
Try Something New - Say yes to something you reflexively usually say no to. Say yes to immersing yourself in something your child loves. Play video games, jump on the trampoline, try an instrument, throw the football, learn about Pokemon, have a tea party underwater, watch funny animal videos together, do a cannonball at the pool, check out a new park or town, or try a new food. Get out of your comfort zone and take a leap!
We’d love to hear what’s on your list this summer! What are you planning? What are you going to try?