Raise your hand if you’re worried that summer’s going by way too quickly and you haven’t done enough with your kids.
Yes, there’s camp and the pool and family barbecues, but as fun as it may be, there’s still a certain grind to all of that. You get up, you’re on the go, you’re shuttling your kids to various activities, you’re juggling work, and you’re still trying to be the screen police (and trying not to yell about it). You don’t want to be a drill sergeant and you want to enjoy your kids, but time is running out!
OK, deep breath. There is still plenty of summer left to make some amazing memories—and I have plenty of amazing, easy, stress-free ideas so you can do just that.
One idea that covers all the bases is a family vacation. It’s the quickest path to success, not to mention relaxation. Plus, for a change, you won’t have to worry about dinner, dishes and everything else that gets hurled your way when you’re home. And what really sounds like a slice of heaven? A trip to somewhere gorgeous and tropical like the Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancún.
This all-inclusive resort is surrounded by lush jungles and sparkling waters, and it’s got nine pools and a winding water park that you can enjoy together—and that your kids will never want to leave. If you can manage to drag them away, though they can check out the Kidz Club for supervised entertainment, while you check out the Zen Spa with its super-relaxing hydrotherapy treatments. Ready to book a trip ASAP? Yeah, me too!
Whether you’re anxiously waiting for your departure date to Mexico or you can’t swing a trip this summer, there’s still plenty of cool stuff to do without leaving town. All you have to do is get outside and have some classic summer fun.
Huffy has everything you need for the perfect outdoor day, with bikes, scooters and more available in almost every size and style. Find the right one for you, and you’ll be getting some exercise, bonding and laughing the entire time. Try the Huffy C8tr (for kids ages 14 and up), which has a push-button start and accelerates to 19 miles per hour; the pedal-assisted Everett Plus for you (those hills can be hard!); or a classic Huffy that reminds you of your own childhood.
And if you really want to feel like a kid, follow that bike ride with a trip to Sky Zone. Yep, it’s a trampoline park (and so much more), and nope, it’s not just for kids. If you want to laugh like you haven’t since you were about 8 years old, you’ll want to take a trip here—and chances are, there’s one close to where you live. Sky Zone is the leading active play destination, with more than 200 locations in the U.S. and Canada, so just search for the location closest to you on skyzone.com and you’ll be all set.
My kids love it here, and seriously, how could they not? There’s Ultimate Dodgeball, Ninja Warrior courses and ziplines—and that’s just the start. So many moms I know (myself included!) rely on this spot for rainy days, hot days and birthday parties. Trust me: Join the kids in this bounce-off-the-wall fun, and you will laugh harder and smile more than you have in ages.
This is a great start for ideas, but there’s so much more you can do. I’ve found that the best way to approach summer fun is to ask your kids what they want to do—and really listen to them. I sat down with my kids, and we made a huge list that we dubbed “The Big List o’ Summer Fun.” I swear, we had as much making the list as we have going to the places on it.
But the places have been pretty darn fun too. So far we’ve fed bunnies and pet chinchillas at an indoor animal center, gone to a big outdoor sculpture park (where we got lost coming home and ended up with quite the story!), saw a concert and an off-Broadway show, and went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Also on our list? Going to a hot-air-balloon festival, the Statue of Liberty, the Renaissance Faire and my alma mater (which they’ve somehow never been to, despite it being super close by).
We’ve been having a blast, but honestly? My favorite part has been spending time with them, singing in the car and hearing their random thoughts about life. This is the best gift of all—and it’s what summer fun for moms is truly all about.
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