Summer Time and Bug Hunting

Are you guys ready for summer?  If you're like me you've  look forward to it all year long because you dream of those endless summer nights.  Swimming, popsicles, fireworks, late nights, fire pit, bbq.  You know, the "highlight reel" of summer, as I refer to it.  Because the truth is sometimes (most of the time) summer rolls around and the kids begin to complain.  "What are we doing today?"  or "I'm bored".  Am I right?

Well, here is the good news.  I have ideas for you (and for my kids).  Summer boredom can be crushed, and the best part is, you - Mom, don't feel like you need to supervise every activity.

First and foremost, I have my kids keep a schedule in the summer.  It still leaves time for fun activities, but it also lets them know that "hey, it's not ok to sit around in your pj's all day long and watch tv."  I also have a huge list of boredom busters that my kids like to do and of course summer reading.

Also, we got the cutest bug hunting kit.  Sometimes what works for little kids doesn't always work for my big kids so I was excited when I got this and it said ages 8+.  At first I thought it was just an ordinary kit.  You know, the kind that has the terrarium and you just run out and catch a bug and watch it die within a couple of days.  But I was pleasantly surprised when I opened this and discovered it was much more.

 

The kit came with all sorts of things including a booklet that gives you ideas on how to find bugs and different activities to try.

One of the suggestions was to set a trap for the bugs using some kind of food.  My kids opted for a cookie and placed their trap outside. 

In the end I had a very happy little boy.  It was fun to watch him catching bugs and finding new ideas in the booklet.  It was also great to get my kids outside and interested in something other than electronics.

You can buy this kit (Nancy B's Science Club® Bug Discovery Lab and Incredible Insects Journal)  here.

Summer Schedule  and Boredom Busters

Kids Summer Passport and Printables 

SUMMER READING 2016

Scholastic Summer Reading - May 9 - September 4.  Free online reading program for kids with book lists, activities, and tips. 

Barnes and Noble Summer Reading - Read books, keep a journal, earn a free book.

Pizza Hut Book It

Book Adventure - Read books, take quizzes, earn prizes

DIY Summer Reading Camp  - free printables and ideas for hosting your own summer reading camp

Check around your own town for fun activities for your kids.  Most public libraries have summer reading programs. 

For all my Southern Utah Locals, here's a list of summer events in our area:

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten

Sunset on the Square - Free Summer Movies

St. George City  - summer activities, arts & craft classes, day camps, Lego classes, Lil Detectives, and so much more

Washington City Community Center - swimming, lap pool, and rock wall

Tuacahn Center for the Arts - summer performances

Hurricane City - summer camps and clinics

Hurricane City Free Movies

Washington County Fair - August 10-13th

I hope this list helps all of you Mommas out this summer.  Summer time can be completely amazing with just a little bit of imagination.

 *I was not financially compensated for this post. I received a sample bug kit for review purposes. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.*