10 Tips for Family Summer Fun

Set out leftover citrus peels, fresh cloves or a pot of marigolds to keep those pesky insects away. Skip sugary drinks and juices; bugs are attracted to them!

When you're feeling the heat, reach for a glass of water. Keep cool by freezing water bottles for a grab-and-go drink that stays cold (take a sip before you freeze it so it doesn't explode). For a summer drink that looks as refreshing as it tastes, freeze berries, fruit chunks, mint leaves or other herbs in ice tray squares (freeze them alone or in water), then pop those pretty ice cubes into a glass of water.

For quick and healthy summer snacks for kids, make homemade frozen treats. Freeze seedless grapes for a crunchy, yummy treat! Or cut a banana in half, insert a popsicle stick and dip in fruit-flavored yogurt, then freeze it on wax paper for a few hours for a frozen fruit pop!

Instead of slicing the melon into wide wedges or slices that get juice everywhere, try this summer hack. Using a sharp knife, cut the watermelon (or any other melon) in half lengthwise, then flip it over, with the flat surface on the cutting board. Now cut it into strips about one inch wide, holding the melon together as you go. Rotate the melon a quarter turn and do the same thing—make slices about one inch wide.

Use muffin tins to serve up healthy summer snacks or for condiments at your next barbecue! Now that's an easy summertime hack that everyone can appreciate. 

Looking for an activity to keep the kids entertained this summer? A new spin on an old game is a great way to have fun and get in a little physical activity! For this family game, tape a grid on an old bed sheet, shower curtain or tarp. Divide players into teams and give each team a single color or style of Frisbee. Take turns throwing a Frisbee toward the board, trying to land strategically on a square. The first team to land three of their Frisbees in a row wins!

Turn a classic game of darts into a summer game that allows for some kid-friendly competition. Use sidewalk chalk to draw a bull's-eye and target. Put sponges into a water bucket. Then let your kids take turns trying to score. 

What's super fun and much less expensive than a regular game of bowling? Glow-in-the-dark bowling! Just put a few glow sticks in water bottles, wait for the sun to go down and start rolling!

For a fun summer science project, just combine 3 cups water with 1/2 cup good-quality dish soap and 2 tablespoons of corn syrup. Stir gently to avoid creating foam. For brighter bubbles, add a few drops of food coloring. Pour the mixture into old bubble containers and have some summer fun.

Love the beach, but hate having salty-sandy-gritty toes? When your beach day is done, just sprinkle baby powder on sandy feet to get rid of that leftover sand. Baby powder absorbs moisture, so sand falls right off. 

Swimming is one of the best ways to keep your child active during the summer, but do you know how to keep him safe around water? Children’s has one simple tip to help prevent drowning: Arm’s Reach, Eye’s Reach. Keep kids under age 6 within arm’s reach when they are in or near water. Keep strong swimmers over age 6 within eye’s reach. From tots to teens, get more water safety tips.