Ways to Keep the Kids Occupied This Summer

Summer is upon us and that means that working parents across the globe are simultaneously rejoicing and crying.  Summertime means no more nagging kids to finish their homework but it also means trying to juggle work while you have them at home.

I’m going on eight years of having kids at home while I work from home so I am about as experienced as any in keeping kids busy while you try to get some work done.  Through the years I’ve found certain activities and toys that really help keep the kids busy and engaged so you can crank out some work!

Check out these ways to keep your kids occupied this summer!

 

iPad

I have no shame in saying that iPads help me greatly while working from home. Sometimes I just need a few interrupted moments to focus on a task or call.  A tablet never fails me. I make sure to install educational apps such as Kiddopia, ABC Mouse, Prodigy, and Epic to make myself feel better about having an iPad babysitter (and to help them learn, of course).

Pro tip:  I try to limit their iPad time so when I really need them occupied, they will be.  If I have an important call, I will make sure they don’t have access to it until that time so it is more effective.

Sidewalk Chalk

At the beginning of each summer, I buy a box of sidewalk chalk and it is a surefire way to occupy your kids for a few hours.  When working from home, I set up a chair with my laptop and let them run wild on our driveway.

What I particularly love about sidewalk chalk is that it’s great for all ages.  When they were younger they would just draw random things. Now that my kids are older, we will make obstacle courses, draw maps, and even do math problems with the sidewalk chalk.

Crafts 

Crafts are a great way to keep the kids occupied this summer.  There are countless types of crafts that can be tailored to the age level and interests of your kids.   My favorite places to buy crafts are Amazon, Michaels, and Five Below.

One craft that seemed to draw my kid’s interest is Aquabeads.  They are essentially little beads that can be made into little figures.  My daughter can spend hours making all of her favorite things.

Math Cubes

I have a ton of toys in our home. These little math cubes from Lakeshore Learning get played with almost every day by my kids and all of their friends.   What is cool about these blocks is that you can use them for learning math concepts but they can also be used for building things.   Full disclaimer, the only downside to these is that you will find them everywhere in your house.

Inflatable Pool 

A pool is a surefire way to occupy your kids for hours.  I grab a lawn chair and sit close by while my kids splash and swim all afternoon.   I like the smaller size pools for younger kids because they are less costly, less maintenance, and are safer.

We have had one for the last three years and we get our money’s worth every single year.  Pro tip: try to buy a pool early on in the summer as soon as they are available. Otherwise, they sell out quickly and can become overpriced.

Plasma Cars 

We have four plasma cars and they are worth every penny. They have been in heavy summer (and even winter) rotation since my kids were 2!  It’s a great way for them to get some energy out and stay occupied while you try to get some work done.

Outschool

I’m sure the last thing on your child’s mind is to take classes during the summer, but hear me out. Outschool is a platform that has over 100,000 interactive online classes. These courses include anything that your kid could possibly be interested in.  There are courses on Roblox, unicorns, algebra, yoga, Bluey, really anything you can think of. It’s a great way to occupy and educate your child while you hunker down and get some work done.

 

What do you do to keep the kids occupied this summer? Any toys or activities that help you get work done?  Leave a comment below to share!

 

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