Top 10 Summer Activities to Keep Kids Busy at Home

KNGT | Louisiana — School’s out, summertime is here, and if your house is anything like mine… the words “I’m bored” probably started about 12 minutes after summer break officially began. One minute the kids are begging for summer, and the next minute they’re standing in the kitchen staring at you like you’re supposed to be a cruise director at a fancy resort. Lord help us all.

Now look, I love summertime around Southwest Louisiana. We try to be outside as much as we can and enjoy everything that Louisiana has to offer. Lets face it though, this heat is a killer and some of these activities are better done in early morning or late afternoon.. Especially when it’s hotter than a crawfish pot outside.

According to The PioneerWoman.com, this is a list of 10 great ideas to entertain the kiddos and keep them out of your hair for a few hours atleast.

Top 10 Summertime Activities for the Kids

10. Catch Fireflies
There ain’t much more “summer” than running around outside at dusk trying to catch lightning bugs in a jar. That’s the kinda memory kids remember forever.

9. Create a Summer Kindness Jar
Write little good deeds on pieces of paper and let the kids pick one every day. Stuff like making somebody laugh or helping a neighbor. Simple idea, but pretty cool.

8. Visit a Local Museum
Not every summer day has to be outside sweating to death. Museums are fun, educational, and most importantly… air conditioned.

7. Learn a Simple Magic Trick
Your kids learning magic tricks may or may not lead to them making your wallet disappear, but hey, it keeps ‘em busy.

6. Make a Summer Bucket List
Put some pen to paper and write down a "wishlist" atleast this way you can gauge how the summer is going.

5. Build a Fairy or Dinosaur Garden
This one’s actually pretty creative. Grab some tiny decorations, plants, rocks, and let the kids build their own little world outside.

4. Set Up a Slip ‘N Slide
Now we’re talking. Cheap fun, lots of laughs, and a good way to wear the kids out before bedtime.

3. Host a DIY Ice Cream Social
Get all the toppings together and let everybody build their dream ice cream bowl. Warning: your kitchen may not survive.

2. Try Backyard Birdwatching
Throw out a bird feeder and see what shows up. This one is quick and easy.

1. Make a Nature Journal
This was ranked the top activity. Let the kids collect leaves, draw bugs, write about what they find outside, and turn the backyard into a little adventure.

Lets be honest, kids don’t always need expensive trips or fancy vacations to have a good summer. Sometimes all it takes is a little imagination, some backyard fun, and a parent willing to say, “Alright y’all, let’s go do somethin’.” And who knows… you might even have fun too.