Summer is officially here! The kids are out of school, the ice cream man is making his rounds, and you're already wondering how you're going to entertain your kiddos all summer long! Never fear!! I have a list for you!
I started making this list for my own family, and realized that every parent is feeling the same way that I am right now! So I decided to share it with all of you! I've broken it down into activities that you can do weekly with your kids, and special things to do once in awhile.
Weekly Activities:
Library
We love our local library! I plan on taking the kids multiple times per week. Not only can they refresh their book collection, but they can also take part in story times and fun events like meeting birds from the Tamarack center! Check out the whole list of events here! Erie County Public Library is also starting their summer reading program, so be sure to take the kids in and sign up!
Check out an outdoor movie
I can't wait to take my kids see some of these outdoor movies! Check out the lineup and locations here!
Hiking
Find a trail and go exploring! Get started on a trail from the Greater Erie Regional Trails. If you want to make it educational, download an app like Plantsnap and identify some plants along the way!
School library hours
If you have elementary aged kids, ask your school if they have summer library hours. Our school district offers library hours, complete with activities, starting in July. It's a great way to get out of the house, do some learning, and meet up with friends!
Pool
Join your local neighborhood pool! They're usually relatively inexpensive and will provide an entire summer's worth of entertainment and exercise! If you don't have a neighborhood pool, look into local splash pads, Camp Sherwin, or your local YMCA!
Go get ice cream
I know this would be a daily activity for my kids if I let them!! There are tons of locally owned ice cream stands in Erie. Maybe make it a summertime goal to visit each one!
Geocaching
I know I'm late to this trend; but have you tried geocaching?? I'm super excited about it! It sounds like a great way to get your kids outside and excited about exploring! To get started, just go to: https://www.geocaching.com/play and create an account. Download the app and navigate to your first "treasure!"
Visiting with friends
Remember those friends that you don't get to see enough? Invite them over! Or arrange a park playdate! This is something that I want to work on for myself because I get so busy, and forget to make time for my friends. But this is the perfect time to text that friend and say, "Hey, let's meet up, and bring the kids!"
Arrange a neighborhood game
My neighborhood friends and I always played Release as kids in the summertime. We would meet up after dinner and come home when the streetlights came on. Now, my kiddos are still a little young for that; but my oldest really wanted to have a big game the weekend after school let out. So she typed up invites, she and her brother delivered them to all of their buddies in the neighborhood, and I made a post about it in our neighborhood FB group, inviting the kiddos that we may not know. I provided water and freezer pops to the kids for two hours, and they had a BLAST!! All of the parents were really thankful, the kids got some exercise and helped build friendships and memories!
Have a picnic
Find a cute spot around town, pack a lunch and a blanket, and have a picnic! My husband works outside of the home, so my goal is to meet up with him during his lunch hour a couple times per month, and have a nice picnic lunch with him!
Beach
Alright, so this one is pretty obvious, living in Erie; but go to the beach! Bring along snacks, buckets and shovels, swimsuits and towels, and go for the whole day!
Paint and hide rocks around town
So back during Covid, we started noticing these fun, painted rocks popping up in hidden locations all around town! It made my kiddos so happy to find one; and we still occasionally encounter one! Have your children paint their own, and hide them for someone else to discover! It's a fun project for your kids, and they'll make someone else very excited!
Cook with your kids
It's easy to get bogged down in the monotony of prepping breakfasts/lunches/dinners every day. So let your kids help! Make ice cream together, let them help skewer shishkabobs for the grill, or give them the peeler for the veggies! Yes, it will take more time. Yes, you'll probably have to help them with the task. But you'll be teaching them life skills and giving them a sense of independence and pride!
Go to a festival
Erie is home to a ton of cultural festivals, fairs, and outdoor events! Check out my list of summertime festivals and events!
Check out Macaroni Kid
When in doubt, check out Erie's Macaroni Kid! There are so many fun events, activities, and classes listed on this website!
Zoo
We can't get enough of the zoo over the summer! We got a membership and plan on going weekly!
Special Events:
Gannon Classes
If you have older kids, you may want to look into summer classes through a local university. Sign your kiddos up for one of these camps this summer! You can always invite friends to make it really fun!
Summer Camps
Erie is home to some really great summer camp opportunities! Asbury Woods, Camp Notre Dame, and the Zoo all offer fun camps for kiddos to learn, make memories, and get outdoors!
Waldameer
We'll definitely be heading to Waldameer a few times this summer!
Camping
One of my goals is to go camping at least once this summer! Whether you want to sleep in a tent, or go "glamping," Erie has got you covered!
Erie Art Museum
We're going to beat the heat this summer and check out the Erie Art Museum! It's a great way to introduce your kids to art, feed their creativity by enrolling in a class, and learn a little about regional artists!
Sleepovers
Invite a couple close friends for sleepovers! Some of my fondest memories from childhood are from sleepovers! So have your kiddos put together a list of friends, pop some popcorn, and have fun!
Pittsburgh trip
We have family that live in Pittsburgh, so we travel down there pretty often. But one of my goals this summer is to take a Pittsburgh trip and focus on all the fun activities down there! The Natural History Museum, Children's Museum, the National Aviary, University of Pittsburgh's Nationality Rooms are all incredible places to take the kids this summer!
There are so many activities for families over the summer! I'd love to hear your favorites! Let me know if the comments what you and your family like doing! Do you have any goals that you've set for your family this summer?
I hope this list inspires you to get your kids out and about! And if you're looking to capture your family this summer, I'm happy to help! Contact me here! Until next time, take care and smile pretty!!