25 Things to Do With Your Kids This Summer

1. Playground tour. Make a list of area playgrounds and plan to visit a new one every other week. Bring a digital camera and snap a photo of your kids in front of the playground sign. When you get home, write a "review" of the park with the kids. How was the playground structure? Was the park shady or sunny? Rate the slides and swings. At the end of the summer, put together a collage of all the parks you visited.
2. Drive-in movie. If you don't have one in your area, make one in your backyard! Rent an LCD projector and hook it up to your laptop or portable DVD player. Hang a sheet between two trees and show the movie under the stars! Invite the neighborhood kids to bring blankets and make a big batch of popcorn. But don't forget the bug spray!
3. Go farming. Visit a local farm for a hay ride. Be sure to feed the animals if permitted.
4. Visit a farmer's market. Buy fresh corn on-the-cob and tomatoes.
5. Attend a concert on the green.
6. Camp in the backyard. Tents and sleeping bags required.
7. Catch a 4th of July parade and stay up late for fireworks.
8. Build sandcastles at the beach.
9. Wash your car the old fashioned way with a hose and bucket.
10. Set up a lemonade stand.
11. Have a Teddy Bear picnic. Your child can pack up his or her favorite teddy bear (or other stuffed animal), make some PB &J, spread out a blanket and read your favorite teddy bear books.
12. Pick your own berries. Bake blueberry bread or a strawberry pie.
13. Go on a scavenger hunt. Create a list of items in your house or neighborhood and have the kids find them. Or take it to a higher level with geocaching.
14. Catch fireflies in a jar. Be sure to poke holes in the lid so your child can enjoy a natural nightlight in his or her room. Be sure to let the flies go the next morning.
15. Make your own snow cones. Crushed ice, kool-aid mix and water is really all you need.
16. Play sidewalk games. Hopscotch, stickball, marbles, kick the can.
17. Take in a minor league or AAA baseball game.
18. Visit a local carnival or amusement park. Even if you dread it.
19. Swim in a local lake or pond.
20. Make s'mores. If you can't build a campfire, try one of the wildly popular table fire pits. What else are they for?
21. Host a family reunion. Or if that's too much for you, plan to attend a family event you might normally decline due to time or distance.
22. Visit the local zoo.
23. Take a boat ride.
24. Visit a state park or nature conservancy.
25. Wish upon a star. Spread out a blanket and stare off into the night sky. Forget the flashlights.