It’s that time of year when the kids are all out of school and my grocery bill doubles. Instead of them grabbing a pop tart on the way out the door, now they wake up expecting pancakes and eggs each morning. Rather than just trying to come up with an idea for dinner, now I’m tasked with creating a lunch menu as well.

Besides the three meals plus snacks every couple hours, I’ve also gotta entertain my three children during the summer months. We spend the chilly months inside playing cards and board games, so that’s the last thing they want to do now. Right now, the kids are really into tossing the football around, which I love. We also enjoy getting the ball gloves out and tossing around the softballs and baseballs. ​

I absolutely dislike when they sit around on their electronic devices all day, so I’m always trying to think of ways of keeping them entertained, while also not overspending. I think the “Kids Bowl Free” option at many of the local bowling locations is a fantastic thing right now. Many of the movie theaters have great matinee movie deals for the youngsters as well.

On days when it’s rainy or miserably hot outdoors, I’ve gotta get creative with indoor activities. One of our family favorites is indoor sock golf. We pick a spot in the house to begin, and each sink in a hole to shoot for as we toss our sock balls towards each hole. Another thing we like to do as a family when stuck inside, is set up a Nerf gun shooting gallery with paper cups.

My kids love and expect dessert every night. Sometimes I make them earn it. I will set up a scavenger hunt for them to follow clues as they search for their sweet reward.

Some of my fondest memories as a kid are of having glow in the dark ping pong gun battles, playing dodge ball and hide-and-go seek with my family. I just hope that I am able to create some memorable moments for my children as well.  ​