It’s nearly June. The kids aren’t thinking about school anymore. They’re ready for some fun – especially now! Family fun is even more important than ever.
I like to put a big calendar up on the fridge to keep track of everything we’ve got coming up. We then add a few family fun activities to it so that everyone has something to look forward to. (But don’t forget the power of some spontaneous fun too!)
These ideas for 15 Minutes of Family Fun in June will get you started.
And remember – Family fun doesn’t have to take much time. Other related lessons? Fun doesn’t have to be complicated. It doesn’t have to be expensive. It just has to be fun.
15 Minutes of Family Fun in June
Fun with Sand:
When June rolls around, we are ready to hit the beach. Alas, that’s more of an all day activity and not always one we can take part in as often as we’d like. Our beaches our still closed at the moment and when they do open up again, it’s likely going to be only for taking walks.
A sandbox in the backyard can be a temporary solution. No room for a sandbox? Just a plastic container with a lid (even one as small as a lasagna pan) provides enough sand to dig around in and create some sand castles when the urge strikes.
Hide some plastic dinosaurs in the sand and provide your kids with paintbrushes and plastic spoons. Challenge them to be amateur archaeologists on a dinosaur dig. Have a little extra time? Let them hide some for you to find too!
Water Play
While on the subject of the beach, how about some water too? Of course, you could put out a small kiddie pool for some cooling off but if your kids are like mine, it will be nearly impossible to get them out of the pool after only 15 minutes.
So, give them some bowls of water instead. Add some measuring cups and spoons, maybe a whisk or other small (safe) kitchen tools. Let the kids have some fun with pouring, mixing, and playing with the water.
Don’t forget to join in. The modeling is important to their learning. The time together is important to their emotional well-being.
Or how about just running through the sprinkler together!
Take a Walk
Go for a short walk together (socially distanced, of course) through your neighborhood, through an area of nature nearby, or even just through your backyard. Pay special attention to what you see and hear and point it out to each other.
You can extend this into a scavenger hunt or Bingo game of sorts by printing out a simple sheet with pictures on it of things you’re most likely to see.
While you’re out walking, find some smooth rocks that you can paint together. Large ones can become paperweights. Small ones can become fridge magnets.
You could even make a whole set of them painted as faces to represent the members of your family. This could be a fun gift for the grandparents! Or how about making some to leave out in honor of front line workers to show your support?
Take some selfies together.
June 21st is #NationalSelfieDay so why not get in on the action?
You could even use an app that allows the kids to pick some fun filters and accessories to add to the photos. I bet you all look fabulous with bunny ears and noses!
Choose one and make it your wallpaper on your phone. Kids love to see that you are thinking of them even when you’re not together.
Get outside and get active.
Jump rope together. Double Dutch anyone?
Kick around a ball in the backyard. Show off your amazing soccer skills or just bat the ball around from person to person.
Play catch. If you’re not very good with a ball and glove (like me), get those mitts and balls with Velcro on them. They’re so much easier to catch.
Other ideas
If you have any pick your own farms open, why not go berry picking together? Yes this will take longer than 15 minutes but the 15 minute fun can then be preparing (hulling, washing, etc) and eating the berries together. For a longer activity, make jam or pie filling together.
Feed some chipmunks. If you are patient, they will often come close and take food you directly from your hand. Obviously, you want to use precautions so that you aren’t in a position to be bitten or hurt otherwise and this is not something the kids should do. But watching chipmunks come that close can be a magical experience for kids.
Throw a blanket over a table to make a quick fort. Snuggle up inside for bedtime stories.
Or,read outside. The kids can even get into their pj’s, snuggle up on a blanket, and listen to their bedtime stories while enjoying being outside.
Look for fireflies in the backyard after dark.
If you’re looking for more ideas, many of these 15 Minutes of Family Fun in May ideas can still be used in June!
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