Guest Post: Grab the Kids and Go Make Some Summer Memories

Grab the Kids and Go Make Some Summer Memories

Summer is almost here. The kids have less than 1 week left and then the 5am morning alarm clocks get turned off. I just realized that this is the final summer I will have with my eldest. Next summer we will be getting ready to send him off to college. Years ago I ran a marketing campaign that we only have 18 summers with our kids so we should make the most of it. Now I am having to live that reality myself.

I have two very busy teenage boys who have already filled our summer calendar up with camps, activities and a vacation with extended family. I would like to say we can slow down during the summer months but my calendar says otherwise. But we still try to have dinner together every night. Every Tuesday night we head to a local restaurant for $5 burgers and fries. That is a better deal than some fast food chains. It is just so nice to slow down and spend time with each other. We all have to put our phones in a stack in the middle of the table. Whoever reaches for their phone first has to pay for dessert. Try this game the next time you are out to dinner with teenagers. Trust me they love their allowance money more than checking their latest text.  

There are so many great museums and activities in and around the metro DC area that cost little or no money. I encourage you to pick a few and enjoy with your family. As a family we like to try new activities together. From an early age we have included our kids in the planning of summer activities. We ask each family member to write down 3 summer activities they would like to enjoy together. Then we put them on our calendars and make them a priority. The activity must be local or a day trip and everyone must participate. So yes Mom has had to go fishing and my boys have gone to a cooking class. We have had lots of fun and made so many memories.

Here is a small list of some of our favorites over the years:

• Visit the Smithsonian
• Mini Golf
• Make Homemade Ice Cream
• Cooking Lesson
• Photography Scavenger Hunt
• Nationals Baseball Game
• Drive In Movie
• Hike in Shenandoah National Park
• Paddle Boarding
• Water Mine Water Park
• National Zoo
• Fishing
• Shakespeare in the Park
• Navy Band Concert
• Old Town Alexandria Walking Tour
• Make and Fly a Kite
• Nighttime ride to view DC Monuments
• Paint a picture
• Pizza at the Pool

Try to make the most out of the time spent with your kids this summer.  Relax and don’t over schedule. Let them sleep in till noon. Serve them ice cream sundaes for dinner. Throw water balloons when they jump off that final school bus ride. Build a fort in the family room. Pitch a tent in the back yard and sleep under the stars. Whatever you decide to do as a family make sure to take lots of pictures because childhood summers go by way too fast.

Patricia Mickus lives in Bristow, Virginia with her family. She is a Co-Owner of Simple Luxuries Travel. Follow her Facebook page for more great memories with your children.