15 Brilliant Ideas for Some Last-Minute Warm-Weather Fun

It happens to most families.

This time of year, it suddenly hits you: How is it almost winter?

Don’t panic.

There’s still plenty of time to enjoy the warm weather. Need inspiration?

Here are 15 ideas to make some memories bonding with your crew. Bonus: Nothing’s expensive.

 

1. Hit the local library.

You remember that place, right?

Let the kids play in the children’s section.

Ah, peace and quiet. Encourage the kids to try something old school: Check out books.

Take one home yourself, too, and spend the afternoon reading in the backyard.

 

2. Go to your local craft store.

Let your kids pick out any craft project.

You’ll be surprised how excited they’ll get over a wooden rocket ship they painted themselves.

 

3. Ask your kids to show you how to do a cartwheel or a handstand.

Try really hard to do it.

 

4. Show off on the diving board.

You want your kids to see how awesome a mom they have — the kind who can jackknife of cannonball into the pool.

 

5. Host a clambake.

It’s not as hard as you think to pull one of these off.

AllRecipes.com has a few suggestions, including a stove-top version.

 

6. Make homemade goodies.

Such as salsa, frozen juice pops, pickles or sun tea.

Or whip up guacamole with four average-size Haas avocados (the ones with the dark, wrinkly skin), two medium diced tomatoes (fresh from the garden at this time of year), one small coarsely chopped onion and a tablespoon of lime or lemon juice.

Mash the avocados in a large bowl with a potato masher.

Blend the rest and add sea salt to taste.

 

7. Get the kids up early to watch the sunrise.

Can’t get them to rise and shine?

Gather the family together at sunset and chase the fireflies instead.

 

8. Eat ice cream for breakfast.

Think of all the calcium!

Plus, for kids, there’s nothing sweeter than breaking the rules.

 

9. Make s’mores!

Pick up the fixings to have on hand.

That way, the next time you’ve grilled some burgers and the coals are still hot, you’re ready to go.

 

10. Go bowling … outside!

Fill jars or empty soda bottles with water and drop in glow sticks.

Use these “pins” with a soccer-ball “bowling ball” for a lit-up outdoor game.

 

11. Have a food fight.

Fill up water balloons and spray whipped cream in dollar-store pans, and let your kids run wild.

 

12. Give back to your community.

Volunteer at a local nursing home, food pantry or animal shelter.

TheVolunteerFamily.org has many great ideas.

 

13. Help the kids make a lemonade stand.

You may have some future business moguls on your hands!

To whip up a homemade batch, stir together 1 1/2 cups sugar and 1/2 cup boiling water until the sugar dissolves.

Then, stir in 1 tablespoon grated lemon rind, 1 1/2 cups fresh lemon juice (juice of about eight large lemons) and 5 cups water.

Chill it, then when you’re ready, serve it over ice.

 

14. Make a shaving cream slide.

Never heard of this?!

You’ve been missing out. Buy a few cans of store-brand shaving cream.

Squirt it all over a small backyard slide or a Slip ‘n’ Slide.

If have a small incline in your yard, you can simply cover it with a plastic tablecloth and squirt away. It’s messy fun!

To clean up, ust have your kids run through the sprinkler when they’re through.

 

15. Go on a scavenger hunt.

Divide the family (or kids) in two teams and give each a list of random things that can be found locally.

A few examples: a lawn flamingo, a parking meter, an orange tabby cat, a mail carrier, etc.

The teams set to find out all the items on their lists, and the first one to return home wins!