Something about summer makes me want to create something, build something new, be adventurous, and pull out my list of Summer Hacks and DIYs. After several months of cold weather, I’m ready to get outside and spread my wings. I’m excited! The birds are chirping, the tomatoes are growing, and the sky is clear.
I step outside and BAM! The humidity kills my zeal.
It feels like I have wrapped myself in a hot, wet blanket and I’m ready to run back to the air conditioning.
However, I decide to persevere for two reasons:
#1 I don’t want to be that person who hangs out indoors all summer
and
#2 I have kids who want to run wild outside.
So, the only way to combat the heat and humidity is to get creative.
Here are Frugal Summer Hacks and DIYs You’ll Wish You Knew Sooner
Summer Hacks and DIYs add a little spice to life. So, let’s go!
Outdoor Summer Hacks and DIYs
Go to the beach in your own backyard
We LOVE the beach, but we just can’t be at the beach every day. So, we make our own.
We live in the woods and I’m almost certain that a pool would only attract snakes. Plus, I don’t feel like maintaining it with toxic chemicals (yes, I’m THAT person). However, I want my kids to enjoy splashing in a pool at home (because I’m also the person who doesn’t like public pools….GROSS). So, an easy compromise is a little kiddie pool that is easy to wash out and store.
A few years back, we bought a small kiddie pool from our local big box store. The kids get in their swim clothes, we fill the pool full of toys to play with (cups, dolls, giant Legos), we set out our lawn chairs, aim a big fan at ourselves, turn on the Caribbean music, and make non-alcoholic Pina Coladas.
Y’all. It’s SO much fun!
We call it Riviera Time.
Miniature Fire Pit for S’mores
In the Fall, we like to build a big fire in our fire pit and enjoy a long evening outside. We roast marshmallows and make delicious s’mores. However, in the summertime, you will not find me anywhere near a fire!
So, what should you do if you’re craving a tasty s’more in the summer? You make a miniature fire pit, of course!
All you need is a terra cotta pot that you have lined with foil. Fill it with charcoal and light it up! Now, you have a small tabletop fire pit so you can roast marshmallows, make delicious s’mores, and still not get too hot!
Homemade Fire Starter Log
Ok, some of you crazies are going to go camping and light up a fire. So, here’s a tip. You can make your own fire starter logs with things you already have at home!
If you use toilet paper (and let’s hope you do), save those empty cardboard rolls! Then, fill them with all that fluffy lent you collect from your dryer lent trap. Next step? Light it up!
Summer Hacks and DIYs in the Kitchen
Make your own sports drink
I’m not a fan of bottled sports drinks. Fake sugar, coloring, and just yuck. So, I make my own and it’s so much fun! My kids love to get in on it too! It’s easy! Find the recipe here.
Homemade Banana Swirl
My kids love ice cream! I mean, I love ice cream. But we don’t eat a lot of sugar around here so we find work-arounds. One of our favorite things to do is to make Homemade Banana Swirl. All you have to do is peel, chunk, and freeze bananas in a freezer safe container. Once frozen, toss them into your food processor with a splash of milk. Process until smooth and enjoy!
Save your powdered parmesan cheese lids!
Did you know that the lids from your container of powered parmesan cheese fit perfectly on a glass jar?! It’s my favorite way to serve smoothies. The straw fits down through one of the holes in the lid and I find comfort knowing my kids can’t easily spill their smoothies!
Homemade Popsicles
We LOVE making our own popsicles! Our favorites are chocolate! I just make chocolate milk, pour it into the molds, and let it freeze.
Check out these awesome molds!
Summer Hacks and DIYs for Kids
DIY Scavenger Hunt
Scavenger hunts are so much fun! My kids love them! You don’t have to get detailed about them. You can make them up on the fly OR you can use mine!
Backyard Obstacle Course
This one hits the top of the chart for “Summer Hacks and DIYs” because you can use anything you have to create an obstacle course!
Grab anything you have around your house, like: hula hoops, jump ropes, sticks, water hoses, basketballs, etc.
The fastest kid to complete the obstacle course wins! Or, maybe the kid who completes the obstacle course while being the silliest wins.
Make your own rules to fit your kids!
Home Cooking Shows
When it’s sweltering outside and we’d rather stay in, I pull this activitiy out of my arsenal of “Summer Hacks and DIYs.”
My kids love it when I do “cooking shows.” They set up chairs in the kitchen so they can be my audience. I put on my favorite apron and do a “live cooking show” for them that Martha Stewart would be proud of.
It doesn’t matter what I cook because I have them laughing hysterically with my commentary.
They even get in on the fun and do their own cooking shows. When that happens, I pull out our favorite child-safe knives so they can do all the prep work on their own.
Homemade Vet Clinic for Stuffed Animals
When was the last time all of the stuffed animals at your house had a decent check up?
It had been a while at our house since our stuffed animals had a check up so yesterday I set up a homemade vet clinic!
The kids had so much fun with it! They were occupied for HOURS…which is sometimes nice.
Full details here.
Glow-in-the-Dark Bowling
All I can say is…Y’all. Why didn’t I think of this?
Learn all about it here.
Want more Summer Hacks and DIYs for Kids?
Read my Ultimate Guide to Summer with Kids right here! Check it out!
Happy Summer!
-Lindsey
Love the powdered parmesan cheese lid idea!
Isn’t it crazy?! It’s the neatest hack I’ve ever used!