Summertime Fun Ideas

by Betty Benson Robertson - Used by permission

  

Bike Scavenger Hunt: Prepare a question sheet ahead of time, with scavenger hunt locations and questions, such as: How many links are in the swing chain at Fremont Elementary School? How many owls are on display in the front window of the gift shop? What two credit cards are displayed on the window of Smith Construction Company? Ride together to the places listed, record answers and then return to place of origin.

 

Crazy Challenges: Work together in setting up various events such as: discus throw using paper plates; javelin throw using straws; shot-put using marshmallows; diving with each person tossing jelly beans into a container of water; one-yard dash by pushing Trix cereal across the floor with their nose, and standing high jump using a donut suspended from the ceiling about four inches above their mouth - one bite wins.

 

Cupcake Decorating Contest: Make cupcakes and divide them among the children. Provide creative supplies such as icing, sprinkles, M & M's, raisins, and nuts. Each child decorates cupcakes. Pour glasses of milk and eat the cupcakes!

 

Frisbee Golf: Frisbee Golf is played like miniature golf except Frisbees are used instead of balls and clubs. Find an area with several trees. Attach a large number to each tree. Each child tosses a Frisbee to the first number, keeping track of how many tries it takes. Continue through the course until the last number is reached.

 

Gigantic Scavenger Hunt: Each child takes a large trash sack to a heavily littered area and hunts for trash. Encourage your children to continue being "Trash Detectives" to help care for God's beautiful world.
H. O. P. Day: "H. O. P." stands for "Help Other People." Make a list of things the children can do for neighbors or friends. This might include mowing lawns, washing cars, washing windows, or writing a letter for an elderly person.

 

It's A Secret: Select a place your children will enjoy visiting such as the zoo, a museum or a restaurant. For added fun, let each child guess the secret destination.
 

Paper Airplane Mania: Create airplanes from leftover school notebook paper or scrap paper of some kind. Hold a contest to see who wins the highest in flight and farthest in flight.

Note from Lois: For the "Gigantic Scavenger Hunt," because unknown trash items may be involved, it would be a good idea to wear gloves.  We never know what is out there.