It’s SUMMER! Time to get Messy and Chaotic

Welcome, summer! 

We’ve made it! Whether you’re a teacher or not (and especially if you are), it’s time to take one big giant EXHALE. Go ahead and do that now…

Bedtimes are later, schedules are thrown out the window, and everything just exudes good old fashion FUN. If you are a working mom or stay at home, with tiny babies or school-age children, summer is where it’s AT. So throw your hair in a messy bun, find your favorite sunnies, shave your legs, and let’s embrace the sweltering craziness that is summer.  

Crazy, messy, and chaotic does not have to equal stressful for parents, though. You also don’t need to spend a lot of money or put in too much effort with detailed plans. Just go with it! 

10 Ideas for Chaotic and Messy FUN! 

1. Water Play

Water, water, and more water! You don’t need anything fancy to enjoy some fun in the sun. You don’t even really need to make a trip to the pool. Be lazy and just walk out your back door. A cheap sprinkler, water balloons, a baby pool, water guns, or just the hose and some buckets. You could spend a small fortune on all the enticing water toys available now, so just keep it simple! Let the kids use their imagination and I guarantee they’ll be occupied for quite some time.  And when the day is wrapping up, consider bringing their soap and shampoo outside.  Just sayin’!

2. Slime

Let them make slime. I know…it’s messy. That’s the point. Let them do it outside on the patio, give them the recipe and see how it turns out. It can actually be pretty educational without seeming like it.  There are about a bazillion recipes on Pinterest. Find one with ingredients you most likely already have.  At the end of the day, be sure all slime is accounted for. Otherwise, you might find it in the laundry tomorrow or step on some on your way to bed.  Super slime fun. 

3. Snow Cones  

Make them and eat them! We try to limit added sugar when we can, so I found this recipe for Watermelon Ice that is fantastic. You could also try popsicles with frozen fruit and yogurt, or even just fruit juice!  You can usually find popsicle molds for about a buck. Or you could take a tip from my childhood and make popsicles in random plastic cups. 

Yes, they will drip down their arms and get all over their face. Refer back to number 1. Problem solved!

4. Day Trip

Take an unplanned, spontaneous day trip! Seriously, just pick a date and go. Don’t check the traffic, don’t overanalyze nap times, just get in the car and go. Even if you only make it so far as a Buccees – what’s more fun than that?!  

There are so many day trips near Austin that are just waiting for you and the kids.  Check out this ridiculously awesome list if you need ideas. State parks galore, the Hill Country, fun restaurants, farms, breweries, watering holes, and hikes. Just get outta town!  

You don’t need to spend a lot of money either. A change of scenery is so good for the soul. Chase butterflies. Find sticks. See some nature. These are the things that childhood memories are made of.  

5. Play in the Dirt

Yes, the dirt! If this makes you cringe, just stay with me for a second. Dirt is actually good for kids. Hey, it’s organic!  In our modern sanitized world of anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, anti-everything, dirt and all of its microbes will actually stimulate kids’ immune systems and make it stronger.  Sterile is great for the operating room, but our everyday life doesn’t need that. 

Besides being good for us, dirt is full of treasure, wonderment, and imagination waiting to happen.  Worms, grasshoppers, shells, you name it.  Just let them do it!  They will be fine, they will stay busy for a long time, and they will LOVE it. 

6. Bedtimes, Shmedtimes

Let them stay up late. Maybe not every day, but on occasion for sure.  They’ll get back on schedule when they need to. But for now, just let it go, at least a little. Our bedtime routine can be exhausting at times.  I love the sweetness of bedtime cuddles, but sometimes you need to change it up a little. By that, I mean put on a fun family movie, eat popcorn, snuggle on the couch, and let them sleep where they fall. Crash out with them if you can.  

7. Ice Chalk

Ice chalk is really messy and super fun. It has got to be on your list of things to do this summer when you just can’t beat the heat. Here are 7 ways to make it! It would be great to make a big batch and keep them in the freezer for fun all summer long. 

8. Pizza Night

Make your own pizza!  Gather your ingredients and let them have at it.  You can buy premade dough, but if you want to get really messy and fun you ought to do it from scratch! Control your ingredients and turn it into a stealth lesson about healthy food and following directions.  They’ll never know. And yes, pizza can be healthy!  

You can go whole grain or gluten-free, full of veggies or packed with protein; you can even go dairy free with cheese alternatives or a simple olive oil and herb base. I love to use einkorn flour for a homemade pizza dough.  Einkorn is an ancient grain that is very low in gluten and much easier for our bodies to digest.  No matter what you choose, just have fun, get messy, and enjoy the fruits of your labor! 

9. Mud Pies

Let them make mud pies.   Tin foil pie pans, dirt, water, and anything else their little grubby fingers can find.   You can make mud cupcakes in cupcake pans, mud smoothies, or mud anything! If dirt and mud make you cringe, refer back to number 5. 

If you want to continue the mud fun, but want to make it edible, try this recipe for dirt pudding. This is definitely a sugar-laden treat, but it would be great for a special occasion.  What’s more delicious that dirt and worms?

10. Camp Out

A classic backyard summer activity. Grab the bug spray, the flashlights, the s’mores, and the sleeping bags. Leave your electronic devices inside. Go through the chaotic, rite-of-passage experience of setting up a tent together. Bask in the glory of your outdoor oasis. You might also want to mentally prepare for the obvious: that you could all be back inside within about 37 minutes. That’s how long our first attempt lasted when our son was 2. You win some, you lose some. In hindsight, this will probably be something we’ll try again when we aren’t in the toddler stage anymore. The memories are still priceless.  

Whatever you do this summer, I encourage you to try and relax and embrace the simple things. That’s where the magic happens.  Nothing needs to be overdone or Pinterest perfect. Don’t over schedule or plan every minute of every day. That’ll happen again all too soon when school is back in session. Let them be kids, let them get messy, and let things roll.