Summer is upon us! The internet is overflowing with tips and tricks for summer fun with kids, but honestly, do we need another endless list of activities? I believe it’s time to step back and let our kids experience the kind of summer we had in the late 1970s—the kind filled with adventure and creativity born from boredom. After all, I survived it, and so will they! Here’s how to create a nostalgic summer experience for your little ones:
1. Encourage All-Day Outdoor Play
Let your kids go outside and stay out! Hot day? They can drink straight from the hose. Run through the sprinklers, swim until their hair feels like straw, and explore nature. Let them search for bugs, play hide-and-seek, or even read under a tree. I hear Judy Blume has some great reads!
2. Limit Their TV Time to Classics
Let them indulge in some classic TV! Set them up with a binge-watch of The Love Boat, Charlie’s Angels, and The Carol Burnett Show. I mean, who wouldn’t want to be an amateur detective like the fabulous ladies from Hart to Hart?
3. Let Them Eat What They Want
This summer, forget about organic everything. It’s time to embrace the nostalgia of junk food—think Fritos, Kool-Aid, and fried bologna sandwiches. You can bet I’ll be enjoying a Tab while they dive into a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken and a slice of pineapple upside-down cake made from canned pineapples!
4. Movie Marathons Are a Must
Send your kids to the movies for a whole day! Drop them off and let them sneak from one theater to another. The thrill of watching multiple flicks back-to-back is a rite of passage.
5. Sleepovers with Friends
Let them spend a few nights at their best friend’s house without constant check-ins. Who cares if the parents aren’t home? They’ll have plenty of time for adventures, late-night snacks, and more.
6. Crafting from Random Finds
Help them get creative with whatever they can find around the house or garage. Forget the pre-packaged craft kits—let them use their imaginations to create with what they have!
7. Host a Talent Show
Encourage them to put on a talent show, complete with singing and dancing. No rules, no themes—just pure creativity. And don’t worry, I won’t share it on social media!
8. Play Classic Games
Dust off some classic games that can entertain them for hours. Trust me, they will be begging for a break from the fun before you can say “boredom.”
9. Build a Fort
Let them gather blankets, pillows, and anything else they can find to create a fort in the backyard. I won’t help them; I’ll let their imagination take the lead!
10. Find Joy in the Ordinary
Teach them to find the extraordinary in everyday life. This skill will serve them well as they grow up, and it’s a lesson I wish I had learned sooner.
Happy summer to all the parents out there trying to keep it real! If you’re interested in more tips about home insemination, check out this post for insightful resources. And if you’re looking to boost fertility, make sure to visit Make a Mom for expert advice. For those considering pregnancy, Hopkins Medicine offers excellent information on IVF and fertility options.
Summary
This article offers ten engaging ways to give your kids a summer reminiscent of the 1970s, focusing on outdoor play, classic television, and imaginative activities that encourage creativity and independence.