Moms Talk: Summer Secrets to Keeping Your Kids Busy

School let out last week and already, your kids are out of things to do. How do you keep them entertained without turning into a taxi cab? 

What do you do with your kids in the summer? Do you send them to camps? Schedule activities upon activities? Or do they chill at home?

When do you decide what they do, and when do you let them shape their summers?

Share your thoughts in the comments!

Karin Jackson
My kids and I enjoy summer so much!  I like to keep things structured throughout the summer because my chaotic brain requires it for survival (and I think the kids enjoy knowing what is to come).  So, as in years past, we plan to have Smart Start Mondays - when we focus on expanding our math skills and heading to the library for more books.  We Travel on Tuesdays - usually around St. Louis but also short day trips. Last year we saw Abe Lincoln in Springfield as well as the Jesse James Wax Museum just south of St. Louis to name a few! I did hear that you can contact Marsha Haefner - our local state representative - and receive a wonderful behind-the-scenes look at the capitol in Jefferson City. You know we'll be doing that! Wednesdays are always Wet around here as we spend the whole day swimming.  Immaculate Thursdays are designated  for cleaning up those 'problem areas' I've let them overtake the house for the last year and Friends on Fridays means the kids can count on inviting their buddies over to play for the day.  

Also, I'm challenging my oldest son to finish a 5k with me by the end of the summer (my daughter finished one with me this spring).  We'll be playing family ball sports (kickball, baseball), riding our bikes, eating a few meatless meals, and journaling every day.  Oh - and every kid participates in 2 camps (VBS + one) over the course of the summer.  I mentioned already that I adore our summers - I am so blessed to be at home with these guys day in and day out.  Let me assure you we are working on some attitude and behavior expectations along with all the fun!   But it's a wonderful time to enjoy each other, the weather, and all that life has to offer here in St. Louis!

Lisa May
We go swimming in the afternoons. Mornings are usually at home, unless we having something to do. We love to do the free Wehrenberg movies once a week. I try and plan some 'schoolwork' and other crafty activities at home for mornings. Evenings are spent outside (unless the mosquitoes get too bad). They started a nightly tradition last year of collecting fireflies and then releasing them. We do have a few structured activities planned, but they will be spread out over the summer. I am looking forward to all of our family time these next couple of months! 

Jennifer AuBuchon
Our summer is busy! I do let the kids have say in what they participate in; and yes, I do often feel like a taxi driver.  That is my second occupation I think...year round.  My kids do several of the Oakville High School camps.  Baseball, volleyball, basketball, cheer, etc.  We do vacation Bible school at our church.  My son is doing Boy Scout camp for the first time this year, and my daughter and I spent an amazing week at a Christian camp called "The Great Escape."  Our family will be traveling to Ireland this summer, and we have some "mini trips" too.  We'll camp and do a float trip and spend some time with friends at their place at a lake.  We joined Whitecliff pool for the first time this summer as well.  If yesterday's trip there is any indication, we're going to be there a lot.  Everyone had such a great time!  In addition to that, we'll try to squeeze in some school work and relaxing!  I'm tired just thinking about it! Up until last year, my kids always did the summer reading program at the library. I highly recommend it!  Hopefully my youngest will do it again this year! 

Samantha Goswami
Summer is finally here and after a long-awaited countdown, the kids are more than excited. We have a nanny to watch the boys this summer so their activities will include swimming, skating, bowling and then going to the zoo, Grant's Farm all around town during the week. We have no camps planned for this year but will probably do so next year. The boys can pick what they want to do everyday as long as they work in reading and Math every weekday for a short time. they also will also join the summer reading club at the library. 
 
We plan on being home in the evening and bbq'ing and relaxing on our newly finished patio!
 
While we had to postpone our big summer vacation due to a death in the family we will take several short trips within 4-5 hours of St. Louis during the weekend. We already went to Osage beach this past weekend for our first summer trip.

Jenny Wescoat
Our summers keep getting a little busier each year as the kids get a little older. I have always been big on outings, but it has been hard the last few months to do a lot with my baby and preschooler. Between half-day kindergarten schedule for my oldest and my baby taking two naps a day, I feel like my 4-year-old and I have been waiting all year for summer to arrive! The baby is down to an afternoon nap, so now that school is out we are making our plans for mornings. We just made our list during lunchtime of all the places we want to be sure to hit in St. Louis. It is such a great city for raising kids. I love that there are so many free attractions. We will also do a lot of traveling. We love to tag along on my husband's business trips, and we will take a trip to see family in Mississippi. We will also do a big two-week vacation. In addition to all of these trips, the kids will do T-Ball, swim lessons, and we have a week-long day camp at church coming up in June. The kids will attend and I help with the camp. We also do the reading program at the library. The kids have a lot of fun with that every year!