This is a guest post by Chris from Dad of Divas.

Summertime is a fun time for Dads to do interesting activities with the kids.  The weather is nice, and it’s a good time of year to have an adventure.  Most importantly, though, it is a great time of year to connect with kids and do things that will create memories for years to come.  With that in mind, here is my list…

Top 10 Summer Activities for Dad and Kids

1. Partake in Outdoor Activities

Not only is this good for your kids, but it is good for the extending belly (if you have one as well. Getting involved in activities such as: Soccer, Basketball, Baseball, Biking, Hiking or the like promotes healthy habits while also teaching valuable lessons in teamwork, patience and trust (depending on the activity). Diva-J loves playing baseball and soccer these days, so much of our summer time together has a lot to do with these 2 sports as well as riding bikes!

2. Experiencing new places together

Taking your kids new places locally, regionally or nationally allows your children to see and experience new and exciting things that allow them to broaden their perspective of the outside world. Here in Wisconsin, it might be taking your child to a dairy farm or to a Great Lake, or something similar.

3. Do Crafts Together

Now this may seem more like something that you child and Mom might do, but there is nothing more fun than getting out non-descript items and making crazy things out of them. All of our homes typically have things lying around that would be great for this… pull out the scissors, paper, glue, toothpicks, etc. and get busy… it does particularly matter what you make, it is simply that you made it together.

4. Scavenger Hunt

This will take some creative thinking, but put together a scavenger hunt that can be completed through walking, riding bikes, or even through a road rally per se. As I mentioned this will take a little time to come up with fun and silly things to do, but it will still be a fun time for all.

5. Go Somewhere For A Treat

Go somewhere special for a treat, such as a favorite ice cream place, an amusement place (chuck-e-cheese, etc). now I am not promoting over-indulgence, but I am promoting time with your kids, engaging your kids in a different way.

6. Take Your Kids to a Place that They Like To Go

This may be to a place that could be ordinary like a park, but it also could be to an amusement park, Zoo, lake, beach or other such place that is special to the child.

7. Do Something Educational

As an educator myself, I am always a big proponent for doing something educational that will allow your child to see and experience the world through different vantage points. Bring your child to a Nature Center, a Museum, A Zoo, A Historical Village. Make sure though that it you make it educational and not just a show and tell session. Read information together, ask questions and engage your child in thinking about what they are seeing.

8. Read Together

There have been books in the past that my wife and I have read together aloud, but also silently, and it allows us to have a common place to start in conversation about a similar topic. This will be the same with you and your child. If your child is below reading age, then read to them, there is nothing like sharing time engrossed in a good book. If your child is reading, then let them read, or take turns in reading together. Ask questions, engage in the story.

9. Get Drenched

There is nothing better on a hot day then to take a swim, run through a sprinkler, play with water guns, to let down your inhibitions and have some fun. Now be warned, you will probably get wet, but it is all in fun, and your kids will love you for you acting like a kid.

10. Experience your Local Area

All of our local communities have some wonderful hidden gems within them. Make sure your kids know what they are and can experience them. In my area, every Saturday there is a farmers market. This is a great place to bring your child that can educate them about many different things but also allows them to see you in an interpersonal setting where you will be interacting with others which is always positive and educational.

Bonus Activity

11. Have a Kids Day

Have a day where your kids can plan out the activities for the entire day. Once they pick out the activities, do them, don’t quash their ideas (even if you are less than enthused about what they chose). Now you may say that every day is kids day, but this promotes them to learn organizational skills as well as time management…so give it a try and see what happens.

So what other activities have you done to make the summer fun? How do you engage with your kids?

*Publisher’s Note: If you like Chris and his ideas, I would definitely recommend visiting his site and subscribing to his feed.

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