If your kids are home for the summer, chances are that you are running out of unique activities to keep them occupied. Kids need to stay active to keep from getting bored and to keep their minds growing when they are away from school. Most parents also want to keep kids from spending too much time in front of the television screen or another device, and they want to find activities that will keep their kids learning and enjoying their time as children. So, how can you keep kids active during the summer, but make sure that they are having fun and staying safe at the same time? Check out these 5 tips to help your child have their best summer yet.

1. Plan a backyard campout and stargazing activity. Yes, really. Look at the weather forecast for the next week and look for a night that will most likely have clear skies so that you can see the stars. Set up a tent in the backyard and toss in some pillows and sleeping bags. Take it up a notch and maybe start the evening by grilling dinner out on the patio, and then making s’mores in a campfire. Then, once it gets dark, roll out a blanket on the grass, lather up with some bug repellent, and lay back and look for the various constellations. Teach your child how to locate the Big Dipper, Little Dipper, and the North Star. And if you can, point out Orion the Hunter too. You never know what might come out of this experience - you may find that you are raising a future astronomer or astronaut!
2. If it’s an exceptionally hot day, have the kids change into their swimsuits for a game of water balloon baseball. Help your children fill up a bucket of water balloons, and then grab a plastic bat and set out some bases in the backyard. This game is sure to get your kids some exercise while they giggle and stay cool from the water. After, reward the kids with a freezie pop once they help clean up the broken balloon bits.
3. Fill your kiddie pool with water, and then make milk carton boats out of old cardboard milk cartons. If you have art supplies, let the kids paint their boats, and help them to design a flag with a Popsicle stick and a piece of fabric. Then, have milk carton boat races in the pool to see who can blow their boat to the other side the fastest.
4. Plant a vegetable garden . If your kids balk at the idea of eating their veggies, you might be able to turn that behavior around when they learn to grow their own corn, carrots, tomatoes, and cucumbers in your home vegetable garden. Start by marking a space in the yard that can be reserved for the garden, and then help your child to build and install a wooden frame. Then, head to the farmer’s market or your local hardware store to get some seeds and potting soil. Show your child how to properly water the garden during the week. Once you have your first round of vegetables, prepare fresh veggies and burgers on the grill for dinner that night so that your child can enjoy the veggies that they grew.
5. Design your own bean bag toss game. Select fabric together at the fabric store or from fabric scraps that you have at home. Buy dried beans or rice at the grocery store. Then, using a sewing machine, sew the fabric into squares, making sure that the bags get stuffed with the beans or rice before you close up the final side. Grab some buckets and create your own bean bag toss challenge, working to throw the bags farther and farther as you strategically move the buckets back after each win.