August is Family Fun Month

As parents prepare to send the kids back to school, make time to enjoy some family time together during August, celebrated as Family Fun Month. Enjoy backyard kickball or pull out the sprinkler for some family water fun. These 10 suggestions will help you celebrate Family Fun Month with your little ones.

Go Fishing. Grab your fishing poles, head to the nearest lake or river and spend a lazy day fishing together. It doesn't matter if you catch anything or not -- it's all about making memories.

Take a family bike ride. Check the air in the tires and hit your favorite bike trail. Don't forget to wear helmets for protection.

Visit a children's museum. Hands-on fun and learning go together at children's museums. Your kids will love being able to touch everything. You'll love to see them learn as they play.

Bake cookies or cupcakes. A little treat now and then is fun for all ages. Find a kid-friendly recipe on my Pinterest Cupcakes board or pick up a box mix.

Play a board game. It may be old school, but the kids will love playing a family game of Monopoly, Life, Candy Land or Chutes & Ladders. Begin a game night tradition in your family.

Go camping. Head to your nearest state park for a camping adventure. All you need is a tent, sleeping bags and a cooler filled with food. Add a lantern and deck of cards for fun after dark.

Visit a park or playground. It's free to enjoy your local park or playground. See who can swing the highest, slide down the slides together and enjoy fresh air family fun.

Go skating. Many skating rinks offer beginner classes for all ages. Our local skating rink also rents Skate Mates that make it easy for the little ones to skate "all by myself."

Enjoy a last blast of summer water fun. Head to the beach and bring the buckets. Visit the ocean or a nearby lake. Spending a day at the beach is a great way to bid summer farewell.

Take a family road trip. Visit your favorite amusement park, your state's capital, a nearby zoo or relatives who live out of town. Bring along some kid music to listen to in the car and play travel games while you're on the road.

Whether you hit the road or stay close to home, enjoy family fun with your little ones during August and celebrate Family Fun Month.

Summer Fun for Kids of All Ages

 

As the days of summer slide by, take time to make summertime memories with your family before school time rolls around. Whether you enjoy a morning walk on the beach, a picnic lunch at your favorite local park or an afternoon hike in the mountains, spending time together can be as much fun for mom and dad as it is for the kids.

These fun summertime ideas will help you with your late summer family fun planning.

Hit the pool. Spend a hot summer day at your favorite municipal swimming pool. Relive your glory days by jumping off the diving board. Teach your kids to swim underwater or show the little ones how to dog paddle. After a day in the sun, be sure to enjoy a frozen treat before you head home.

Blow bubbles. Pick up a few bottles of bubbles and spend some quality time in your own backyard. See who can blow the biggest bubble, the smallest bubble and the bubble with the most parts. Let mom and dad take a turn too.

Play at the park. It may be hot outdoors, but your kids will still enjoy time at their favorite local park. If it's really hot out, visit the park early in the morning to beat the summer heat or wait until later in the day.

Cool down inside. Visit your nearest children's museum and enjoy the AC on a hot summer day. Kids love hands-on fun and they're learning as they play.

Take a hike. It's cooler under the trees out in the woods. Grab hiking sticks and hit the trail. Enjoy nature and see what interesting things you can find.

Go fishing. Head to the nearest lake or river and teach your kids how to catch the big ones. If there's a fish hatchery near you, take the time to learn how rangers supply local fishing spots with fish to catch. Many fishing sites have catch and release programs if you don't want to take your catch home.

Hit the road. Take a family road trip to somewhere you've never been. Whether you visit a historic site, explore your state or head to the beach, mountains or lake, spending time together is priceless.

Celebrate summer with ice cream. Visit your favorite ice cream or frozen yogurt shop or make your own ice cream cones at home. Ice cream treats will light up your child's eyes and make happy memories of summertime fun.

Summer will be over before you know it. Gather the kids, make a list and get out to enjoy some late summer family time together this week.