As a single, work-at-home-mom, planning a major summer fun outing every day just isn’t feasible. I don’t have the luxury of saying “today’s a great day to go to the beach, let’s load up!” I have deadlines to meet if I want to make ends meet! Still, as a mom to an only child living in a neighborhood with few kids his age, I also have a responsibility to make sure my son enjoys his vacation! What’s a mom to do?
Summer Fun Activities on Your Break
I’ll tell you what I do! I use my break time for summer fun time! As soon as I finish an article or complete a section of tasks on my “to-do” list, I tell my son to grab the water blasters, turn on the hose and meet me outside. We spend 15 minutes running around, soaking each other and cooling off. Then it’s back to work for me while Jake hangs out running through the sprinkler until he’s had enough.
Sometimes we have water balloon fights on my break. Other times, we race through sprinklers. Whatever we end up doing, it’s fun and refreshing! It gives us time to bond and makes me feel less guilty about the fact that I can’t just up and take him to a beach, pool or water park any time we feel like going.
Staying Safe During Summer Fun
Sunscreen is an absolute must for all our summer fun activities. No negotiation! Skin cancer reared its ugly head in my family, so it’s definitely on my mind year-round. Sunscreen doesn’t just keep us from ending up with painful sunburns, it protects against long-term damage that we don’t see right away. Basically, just because you don’t burn doesn’t mean you’re not doing damage!
Since many of our summer fun activities are spontaneous, my son puts his sunscreen on in the morning. I love Banana Boat® Sport Performance® with PowerStay Technology™ because it’s so easy to spray on without making a mess. It’s a ritual now in the summer, especially since he’s in and out all day. At 10, he’s old enough to run around the yard unsupervised. Mostly, he loves hanging out on the back deck with a book or his laptop. He LOVES the sunshine.
Check out a few more tips on keeping your kids’ skin safe during their summer fun activities.
- Learn the 1-2-3 rule: Apply 1 of sunscreen 30 minutes before you head out into the sun. Reapply every two hours, or after swimming or heavy sweating.
- Plan ahead: Think about how long you’ll be outside and make sure you have enough sunscreen to cover everyone during your outing. I keep an extra bottle of sunscreen in our “going out” beach bag, just so I know it’s always there. Plus I take another bottle with me. That way, I have a “reserve” bottle on hand in case I need it.
- Consider the conditions: When I was a kid, we had very basic sunscreens. Now, you can find different types for just about any type of outing! For example, Banana Boat® makes new SunComfort™ Clear UltraMist® Sunscreen for beach lovers. It’s not only water resistant, it also lets sand brush off easily.
- Make it fun! My son is old enough to understand the importance of sunscreen, but for smaller kids, singing a song while you apply it makes it more entertaining. Even better, make up a song together!
Banana Boat® sun care products are tested in seven conditions – sun, pool water, ocean water, wind, sweat, sand and extreme heat – so you know your family is covered no matter what summer fun activity you plan! Learn more about how Banana Boat® can protect your family!
Whether you’re heading out to the beach for the day or just throwing in a few spontaneous summer fun breaks, sunscreen is always a must. Nothing ruins a good time faster than a painful burn!
What do you do to make summer fun when you can’t plan a ton of major outings? Tell us in the comments!
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Banana Boat® . The opinions and text are all mine.
During the summer it’s easy to run out of things to do. These are all great ideas.
These are fun ideas. My kids used to love when we would build a huge slip and slide for them in the yard. Sunscreen is so important when you are going to be outside.
Sunblock is so important!!! I’m tan obsessed so I always have to remember that my daughter has delicate skin and needs her sun block!
Thank you for the tips and I totally agree how important a sunscreen is. We usually check out a new place or drive somewhere for a day during summertime. Not unless we have a vacation planned.
Sunscreen is SOOO Important, I kick myself everytime I forget to pack it when we go out for the day.
Good reminder for everyone – not just parents. I still remember some of my terrible sunburns as a kid – ouch!
I forget to wear sunscreen – except when on long hikes! So I like the rule: Apply 1 of sunscreen 30 minutes before you head out into the sun. And now will remember that – thank you
That hot summer sun has started a little early at our house. The sunscreen is even more important than ever now that it has gotten so hot. I do love Banana Boat sunscreen. It works the best of any brand.
These are really great tips. It’s hard for us as well to just drop everything and head to the beach.
Thanks of some awesome ideas! We are so excited summer break is finally here and we can enjoy some fun!
I like Banana Boat sun screen, we always buy them every year. Come to think of it, I need a new bottle before we head out to Virginia beach next month.
Great sunscreen rule! I didn’t know that until now. I’ll be applying it to my children.
How fun. My kids LOVE water guns, we just picked up a pack of 8 mini ones last night too! I love banana boat, and need to pick some more up!
One of my main go-to sunscreens is that brand. I just love it, and I feel like it protects my skin well for sure.
I buy sunscreen in bulk in the summer. We have our own pool so sunscreen is a must. The kids and I are always looking for new ideas for summer.
This would be so much fun!! I’m a dad work at home we could try this tips, I like your using water guns for activities, I’m sure my kids would love this fun idea.
I’m all about a staycation, there is always something going on in my city. Lots of places we haven’t had time to visit. Those things are perfect for times like that.
Banana Boat makes reliable summer time products worth using. Using water guns to stay cool is always fun.
Water gun fights were always a blast in the summer! It’s sad that I don’t see it too often around here anymore.
My grandkids love to have water gun fights when they are at my house. My daughter always reminds me to use sunscreen before playing outside. It’s so important.
Great reminder to use sunscreen! It’s so important to stay safe in the sun.
My kids are teens, they tend to be stuck to their technology devices if nothing is planned. I am hoping to change that by creating some fun things to do without mom.
Movie nights are a go-to for our family when the outings just aren’t an option. Sometimes, they’re movie mornings, too! ;)
I try to make time to go to the cheap theater a few times during summer. We also try to just spend time together watching television or things like that. My kids are 20 and 17 so summer is cherished time.
We’ve got quite the collection of water guns here…..always perfect for being spontaneously ambushing the hubby or kids hahahaha!
Fully stocked up on sunscreen too :)