While your summer plans might have changed unexpectedly this year, there are many ways to enjoy the warm weather close to home. With a little bit of creativity and a sense of adventure, you can find activities to keep everyone entertained, from small kids to teenagers and beyond. If you’re feeling a little uninspired, we’ve got you covered with a few fun, quirky summertime activities the whole family will enjoy.  

Cook A Meal As A Family

Take advantage of the slower pace of summer this year by cooking meals as a family. It’s a great way to get the whole family working together and introduce new ingredients to younger kids in a fun atmosphere. Try incorporating at least one unfamiliar ingredient, like canned seafood, by letting kids touch and taste it. Ask them to describe flavours and textures instead of falling back to like and dislike. Before you know it, you’ll have everyone in the family trying new things from canned seafood to Brussel sprouts and expanding their vocabulary while they’re at it. 

Get Outdoors

Even if you’ve had to cancel trips or summer camps, there’s no reason that you can’t enjoy the great outdoors this summer. Try heading outdoors for a summer picnic, for example. It’s an easy way to enjoy the warm summer weather and gives you an opportunity to make a tasty meal from pantry staples like crackers, canned seafood, and nuts. If you prefer something more active, you can incorporate a picnic into a day of hiking or cycling.

Dust Off the Board Games 

Often thought of as an indoor activity best enjoyed on cold winter nights, it turns out that board games are just as much fun to play on warm summer nights in the backyard. So dust them off, whip up some tasty summertime finger foods and enjoy an evening together. This is another great opportunity to use up some of those pantry staples and introduce simple, healthy and delicious snacks. Make this a weekly event and we guarantee your family will feel more connected than ever by the end of summer. 

Have a Backyard Water Fight 

Who among us doesn’t have fond childhood memories of cooling off on a hot summer day by having a water fight with friends or siblings? Bring that fun back this summer by planning a backyard family water fight. All you need are some inexpensive squirt guns and you’ll have the whole family laughing and having fun in no time. 

Get Creative Together 

Get creative and encourage everyone to find their inner Picasso by setting up a backyard painting session. This is a great activity for younger kids who are still honing their motor skills, it will also challenge older kids and adults to tap into their creativity. As an added bonus, the resulting paintings make great gifts that can be mailed to grandparents and other family members who might be missing out on annual summer visits this year. 

Whether you’re experimenting with canned seafood in the kitchen or making a mess with squirt guns in the backyard, the key to having fun this summer is approaching activities with a sense of adventure and curiosity. There are so many things for the whole family to learn and discover right in your own backyard!