Some of the best memories you can create with your children come from the simple thing

s you do together as a family. It doesn’t have to be all about big budget trips and expensive outings.

This summer, get back to basics and try some of these fun activities that are

 guaranteed to result in lots of laughs and lifelong memories…

Build an Obstacle Course

Obstacle courses are good exercise and great fun, especially when Mom and Dad get in on the action. Use things that are already in your backyard such as patio chairs set apart with a broomstick across them to create a limbo pole. Walk along the garden hose and pretend it’s a tightrope or lay down a ladder and run through the rungs. After a few practice runs have a competition to see who can complete the course the fastest.

Create a Memory Book

Scrapbooks and photo albums make great keepsakes, and are even more special when they are a family collaboration. This summer give each family member a disposable camera and together decide on a theme such as documenting a day in the life of your family or chronicling a special event. Use the pictures everyone takes to create a family scrapbook, adding journal-style notes and keepsakes/mementos. This can be done inexpensively with some supplies from your local craft store. Be sure to make extra copies, they make great holiday gifts for the grandparents

Serve a Crazy Meal

Kids love playing with their food, imagine their surprise when you not only allow it but encourage it with the crazy meal game! Put out typical finger foods such as hard-boiled eggs, berries and apple slices. The rules? Everyone has to eat their meal of finger foods without using their fingers or a fork. Hand out a variety of different tools to try such as wooden skewers, chopsticks, tweezers and even pretzel sticks to use instead.

Go on a Scavenger Hunt

Heading out for a nature walk is a great way to spend a beautiful summer day. Make it a family activity by creating cards ahead of time with items that each member of the family must find. Include written names for older children and use pictures for younger ones who cannot read yet. The items you are hunting for can be as simple as “ a flower”, “a stick that is 6 inches long”, “acorns”, “something yellow”, “something that is prickly”. Older children and adults can look for more difficult to find items or be given more cards.

Crown a King or Queen for a Day

 Everyone loves to feel special, and nothing is more special than being declared royalty. The King or Queen will receive only the best treatment all day from each family member including being allowed to pass off their chores, choosing meals and maybe even a few favorite treats. Be sure that Mom and Dad get a turn too; they can make it even more fun by using their royal powers to declare that everyone must eat dessert BEFORE dinner!

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Jennifer Kirkpatrick is the mother of two amazing kids who are always up for going on one of her crazy adventures. When she’s not being mom, Jennifer is the creative force behind Pipsqueak Boutique, an online store specializing in gifts and essentials for children age newborn through six years. Visit the store and check out their best selling personalized books for kids and personalized music for kids .

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