This document provides many ideas for family summer fun activities including picnics, visiting museums and zoos, playing in sprinklers or going on bike rides, catching lightning bugs, camping in the backyard or going to a campground, and attending local carnivals or fairs. It also suggests mastering a new skill together, having breakfast in bed, taking lessons as a family, putting on a performance, and making playdough as additional fun activities for families to enjoy over the summer.

1. Family Summer Fun 2011Schools out and summer is in. Make the most of summer 2011 with these cool ideas . . .

2. PicnicsYou’ve got to eat right? So take it outside because kids love picnics. Picnics can be elaborate or simple. You can throw together sandwiches and eat lunch under a tree in the backyard or fry chicken and spend the day at the beach. And dinner picnics give kids something to look forward to.

3. Museums, Zoos and AttractionsMost attractions are not free (although there are a few), but many have “free days” when they waive admission. Often it’s on a regular basis, like the first Tuesday of each month. Go to the websites of attractions in your area and search using the keyword “free” and see what comes up.

4. More Family Fun . . . Play in the SprinklerBikingYour kids will love this. And it’s even more fun when mom joins in. But if you want to stay dry, work by a window where you can keep on eye out. Water balloons, spray bottles, wading pools and water guns are added fun.Take your family on a bike ride. You’ll get exercise, your child will get exercise and you can teach them safe biking safety rules for the day when they bike without you.

5. Catch Lightning Bugs . . .Camp OutAnd then watch them flicker into the night!Find a near by camp ground and take your family camping. Pop up a tent, bring some food and enjoy nature. If it’s your first time camping, try the backyard first.orCamp InPut sleeping bags on the floor and have a family slumber party. Pop some popcorn and watch a movie.To Sum it Up . . . Here’s a quick list of more summer family fun ideas . . . Go to a local carnival or county fair. Eat cotton candy, fried dough and something really bad this summer.Blow bubbles. Make your own!Master a new skill. Learn to juggle, play the harmonica, learn to hula hoop, etc.Teach grandparents to skype. And show off your new skill.Have breakfast in bed. Take turns being the server and being served.Take lessons together. Yoga, tennis, music, etc.Put on your own dramatic performance. Write a script, sew costumes or do a little improv.Write in a journal. At the end of the summer share selections with each other about the highlights of the season.Make paper airplanes. See who’s goes the farthest.Make playdough creations. Make your own.

6. Check out these websites for more summer family fun . . . http://familyfun.go.com/summerhttp://fun.familyeducation.com/summer/seasonshttp://holidays.kaboose.com/summerThank you!!!