Prepare the Home for Summer with Children

As the school year starts coming to a close, it is time to start thinking about plans for the summer. You may have camping adventures or a tropical vacation planned at a faraway place, but have you thought about what the children will do during the time in between? Save time later on by preparing your home for daily activities, play dates with friends and sleepovers that last all weekend.

Here are five ways to make the transition from the school year to summer in a snap!

1. First aid comes first

Accidents can happen at any time throughout the day, so it is best that you are fully prepared. It is fairly affordable and definitely wise to get a fully stocked first aid kit. First aid kits can easily be found at your local drug store. A well-equipped first aid kit should contain:

• Pain relief medicine for children
• Antihistamine for allergic reactions
• Antiseptic to disinfect cuts and scrapes
• Adhesive tape
• Band-aids in various sizes
• Hand sanitizer
• Calamine lotion for bug bites or poison ivy
• Cotton swabs and cotton balls
• Gauze
• Gloves
• Aloe
• Tweezers
• Cold packs
• Thermometer
• Sugar packets for low blood sugar
• Eyedrops

You should also have items like sunscreen and bug spray readily available at all times. Having these items can help keep your mind at ease while your children and their friends are running around and enjoying their summer. As suggested by professionals, keep a notepad or dry erase board in an easily visible location and make important notes about children who may visit and have a severe allergy or other medical condition that may need attention.

2. Organize everything

If the playroom is not clean, now may be the time to get it straightened up. You can even get the whole family to help. First, decide what goes where and label it. Then let the kids know where things properly belong by clearly marking the rightful bin or basket with labels. Try to make it a game by offering a prize to whoever can get the room cleaned up in the quickest time! Color coding works just as well as labels with words and might be easier for younger children to follow.

 3. Bulk up on books

Limiting screen time is a common struggle for families with children of all ages. Whether that means they are glued to the TV, stuck to their smartphone or hooked on the urge to play video games, setting them up with a vast book selection can open a whole new world of fun. Some benefits of limiting screen time to book hour can be that they discover something new they love! From Harry Potter and Junie B. Jones to Pete the Cat and beyond, there is always an exciting way to fill up the summer when it comes to books. You can find many affordable books at discount stores and on online forums. Plus, book hour can be a great way to get some quiet time in!

4. Snack healthier

Instead of stocking up on chips and other snacks loaded with sugar, try incorporating healthy alternatives like fresh fruits and veggies. Do a little bit of digging to find other snacks such as whole nuts, whole grain cereal and organic energy bars to keep them going in between meals. Next, buying packs of water can be extremely wasteful, but as an alternative, now may be the optimal time to invest in a reusable water bottle for yourself and the kids. Simply use filtered water from the fridge to refill and keep moving. Getting the children to drink water cuts back on sugar intake from sodas and juices and also keeps them hydrated.

 5. Create a short chore list

While you still want the children to have fun over the summer, there should be some valuable lessons involved. Have them do simple tasks like placing their dirty clothes in the hamper each afternoon or feeding the dog in the morning. Chores like these can give them a sense of routine as the summer days can feel lost within the rest of the year. With each passing summer, you can pass along more responsibilities. This can potentially prepare them for having a summer job when they get older.

At Perry Homes, we hope to help make preparation for summer smooth and easy. Take a look at our new homes for sale and keep checking our blog for tips year-round.