Summer vacation is just around the corner—when all your kids will be home from school, your routines will be different, and you’ll need to put more effort into keeping them occupied. It’s an exciting time as a family, but it can be overwhelming to mom, especially if she is not prepared.
Here are 12 simple ways to think ahead to summer vacation, and I found them all at the JBF Kids Spring Consignment Sale!
Have a planned routine that includes chores for your children.
If you need a Melissa & Doug Responsibility Chart, I found them for only $10 (retail for $20).
Add some new family games to your stash.
When I was a kid, all I wanted to do was play games with parents. It means the world to do those kiddos to spend quality time with you. And I bet, after you play it a few times, they’ll start playing on their own. Our favorites are Pictionary, Uno, Battleship, Operation and Memory. Our kids favorite was hungry hungry hippos, but I decided to quietly sell that one at a consignment sale. If you’ve ever played it, you probably know why. Don’t worry, I kept Let’s Go Fishing. 😉
Stock up on busy bag ideas for your toddler.
This will earn you a little extra one-on-one time with your older children. I was really excited to find this build-a-word game, Melissa & Doug puzzles, and playdough toys. Wooden lacing beads, and lock puzzles are other great ideas.
Melissa & Doug
Scratch Art Pads, Water WOW and Secret Decoder pads are perfect for a longer car ride or a quiet time. I also use these in church, at a wedding, at the airport, or waiting at a doctors office. These are only $4 at the JBF sale, but $4.99 if you order online. They also make great birthday party gifts!
Add some new puzzles to your collection.
Particularly some unique ones like this Where’s Waldo puzzle that I found for only $1.50. Puzzles are great for the brain, require team effort, and perfect for quiet times or rainy days.
Consider some new toys that your kids have never seen before.
Save these for really bad days or rainy weeks when you can’t get out. Perhaps a dance mat, roller skates, build and play construction fort or a ball pit.
If you are going on a family vacation, gift your child a special backpack or suitcase.
Choose a backpack or suitcase they can pack on their own and travel with. This gives them ownership and encourages growth in responsibility. Plus it takes some responsibility off of you!
Plan some special activities.
Like using this Play and Freeze Ice Cream Ball that lets you make ice cream anywhere. How cool is that?
Add new sporting equipment to your stash.
Think of all sports . . . baseball, teeball, basketball, golf, badmitton, volleyball, soccer, jump ropes, hula hoops, pogo sticks, rollerblades, etc.
Invest in some craft ideas.
Crafts strengthen your kids fine motor skills and creativity. Some examples could include finger puppets, painting sets, beads, model kits, perler beads, rubber stamp sets, weaving and latch hook kits. I didn’t see any pot holder loom sets at the sale, but that’s another good one to watch for at the Reading sale!
Gear up for the pool, water play and the beach.
Think about the necessities you’ll need now, like water shoes, swimming suits and life jackets, beach and sand toys, boogie boards, a sprinkler. You’ll save a lot on these at consignment sales. If you wait til you go to the beach, a boogie board will cost you $15 or more, but at JBF I saw several for less than $10.
Keep their minds engaged with the world by adding new books to your collection.
I love educational books where a child can sit and learn through pictures or words. Encyclopedia-like and topical books on outer space, dinosaurs, dogs, plants, geography, history, are all wonderful learning opportunities and can even be taken with you on field trips to enhance their learning experience.
** Here’s a hint. Keep some of these items hidden and secret and bring them out as the summer goes on. You’ll be mom of the year! **
Want to learn more fun ways to save money in Lancaster County?
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