Summer is the perfect season to spend time with the family now that the kids are out of school! Unfortunately, there are days where the weather does not cooperate. There are rainy days scattered throughout the summer that confine us indoors, while other days are too hot to enjoy the sun and the outdoors. Regardless of the weather, children still want to play and enjoy every minute of their summer vacation. We’ve thought up some exciting and fun activities and games that can be done both indoors and outdoors!
The Floor Is Lava
A classic game to play inside is “The Floor is Lava”. For those who are not familiar with this game, players must avoid stepping on the floor, which is the “lava”. This requires them to stay on furniture or stand on pillows placed on top of the ground. The last standing is the winner! As with any game, just be sure all players are staying safe since they will be on elevated surfaces. This game is a good way to keep kids moving while using their imagination!
Building a Fort
Another enjoyable indoor activity for children is constructing a pillow and blanket fort! Use couch cushions, comforters, stuffed animals, and other pillows you can find to create a unique pillow fort. If you have battery-operated nightlights, add them in the fort to make the design even more cool. When incorporating any battery-operated devices to the fort, be cautious of their placement. If they begin to heat up, remove them from the fort immediately. Making a fort is a great way to get kids involved in a hands-on project, as well as letting their imagination flow as they create a one-of-a-kind fort!
Indoor Movie Theater
Take a fort to the next level by turning it into a movie theater! Set the fort up in the living room in front of the TV, make sure all fort-dwellers can see the big screen, and pretend the living room is a moving theater. As with any great movie night, don’t forget a concession stand by adding snacks, like popcorn and candy. This is a great way to spend time with the family in a relaxing and entertaining way!
Balloon Volleyball
Another fun game to play with the kids is Balloon Volleyball! All you need to play is an inflated balloon but make sure it is not inflated with helium. To play, hit the inflated balloon back and forth between the players. This keeps kids active and out of their seats without the fear of breaking anything. Balloon Volleyball is an amusing way to pass the time and to get everyone in the family involved!
Yoga
Want to relax? Try doing some yoga with your kids! There are plenty of videos online that guide either beginner’s yoga or children’s yoga. Yoga enhances physical and mental health. It is also a great method to calm one’s mind and body after a long day. A bonus of this activity is that parents get a chance to relax as well.
Ice Excavation
Ice Excavation is an exciting and unique activity to try! To play Ice Excavation, place a water safe toy in a tall and narrow freezer-safe container that is filled with water. Once the water has turned to ice, pop the ice out of the container and give the kids salt, spray bottles, and droppers to try and excavate the toy out of the ice block. This activity will keep children thinking of new ways to rescue the toy out of the ice. Ice Excavation is an interesting way to keep them entertained!
Hide and Seek
A classic game to play is hide and seek! This is an easy to play game that can involve everyone. Hide and seek makes kids think of unique hiding places and helps them practice quiet time. This game is a great option to play with the whole family!
Puzzles
Puzzles are a relaxing way to spend time with the family by participating in a time-consuming task! Puzzles are great for all ages and will keep children stimulated in a challenging task. Puzzles are also an excellent way to help children’s critical thinking skills and patience. Doing a puzzle with the whole family is great for bonding!
Regardless of which games or activities you decide to do with the kids this summer, be sure to have fun and stay safe! Always stay hydrated and be careful when participating in any of these activities!
About Helping Hands Family
Helping Hands Family (HHF) is a growing autism treatment provider in the Northeast. We offer personalized autism therapy to kids either in-clinic, in-home, or in-school. Our team is comprised of autism professionals with decades of clinical experience. HHF is devoted to delivering customized treatment plans through top-rated programs based on each child’s unique needs. Our programs help kids with autism progress socially and support new ways of learning and interacting with the world!
