Getting Your Home Ready for Kids this Summer
/School is out for the summer, which means several months of the joyful chaos of having kids at home. To make this a fun summer for your little ones while still keeping your sanity, we’ve got some tips to help you prep activities and kid-proof your home.
Print a Family Calendar
Getting organized on all the activities going on is the first step in having the best summer ever. Print out a large, easy-to-read calendar and hang it somewhere central like the kitchen for everyone to write on. Soccer matches, birthdays, and family reunions all should go on the shared calendar so that nothing is missed. You can even let your kids decorate the calendar with stickers or doodles to get them excited about upcoming events.
Prep For Outdoor Activities
Your backyard/patio will likely be a hub of activity this summer, so let’s discuss some ways to make it fun!
Check Your Sporting Gear
Check bike tires, scooters, and sports equipment to see if everything is still in good shape. If there are any issues, go ahead and get those fixed so that all the gear is ready to go. Adding a few more rackets, basketballs, and roller skates is never a bad idea if you’re trying to encourage your kids to play outside.
Pool & Beach Toys & Towels
If you’re planning to spend some time at the pool and beach this summer, be sure to stock up on toys and games to keep your kids entertained. Pool floats, goggles, water blasters, frisbees, sand castle forms, and boogie boards will keep your kids happy for hours. Store them in a waterproof bin so that they can easily be grabbed when needed.
Kid’s Gardening Tools
As an educational shared activity, consider planting a small garden with the kids. It can be a veggie, flower, or herb garden. Be sure you have some child-friendly gardening tools and gloves so that everyone can join in. Then, consider tasking them with watering the garden throughout the summer so that they feel a sense of responsibility over their project.
Hang a Hammock
Nothing says summer like a hammock gently swaying in the wind. Place one in your backyard in between two trees to create a spot for reading and relaxation. It’s the perfect place in the summer for kids to hang out, literally.
Revamp Your Indoor Kid Spaces
For rainy days, it’s always a good idea to have some indoor activities lined up.
Creative Craft Kits
Encourage your kids to be creative by stocking up on craft kits and art supplies. From paint sets to friendship bracelet kits, there are plenty of ways to keep them entertained inside without making too big of a mess. You might even want to set up a designated table or a small corner for crafting so that you can leave all the supplies in one place.
Summer Rec Room
On that note, designing a summer rec room for games is also a great idea. Fill a closet or entertainment center with board games, video games, and puzzles. You can also set up larger gaming stations like a foosball or ping pong table. An extra-large sectional will provide plenty of space for your kids and their friends to relax. You might even treat them to a small fridge or snack station filled with treats.
Extra Sleeping Space for Guests
There’s nothing better as a kid than a sleepover in the summer. A large sectional or pull-out sofa bed can serve double duty as sleeping quarters. You might also consider adding an air mattress, or a stack of sleeping bags and blankets for extra guests.
So there you have it! A summer-ready home is in sight. A little prep now by stocking up on the essentials means a whole lot of fun for the family later. And if you’re hoping to refresh your family living room or need any more design inspiration, be sure to check out our other blog posts!
Photo Credit: PAULA INTERIORS
photo credit: PINTEREST
photo credit: Business & Pleasure
photo credit: PINTEREST
photo credit: PINTEREST
photo credit: PINTEREST
photo credit: Paula interiors