Marie, Author at DIY Adulation

Let’s face it: it is super easy to get lax in the summer and let kids binge on television or video games. It is so much easier to turn on a tablet than prepare an activity. Planning ahead is key to successfully navigating summer break and I’m sharing 75 screen free summer activities for kids to help you out.

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Collage of Kids playing outside and printable list with text overlay: 75 Screen Free Summer Activities for Kids

[bctt tweet=”These 75 screen free summer activities for kids are perfect boredom-busters without resorting to video games.” username=”diyadulation”]

This list has ideas that are fun for kids of all ages. Some require hands-on mom time and others are as easy as setting the kids loose in the backyard. Use these ideas to personalize your DIY Summer Activities Board for your family. You will enjoy these too, and couldn’t we all use a little break from out phones now and then? These activities will help you stop scrolling through Facebook and start enjoying the carefree days of summer.

75 Screen Free Summer Activities for Kids

1. Paint with Gobblies

2. Nerf War

3. Visit the Library

4. Glow Stick Tag

5. Make Journals

6. Go on a Scavenger Hunt

7. Plant a Garden

8. Make Coloring Books and Color them

9. Play a Friendly Game of Dodge Ball

10. Find a Baseball Field and Play Kickball

11. Paint Rocks

12. Go for a Hike

13. Play with Face Paint

14. Teach Kids to Hand Sew

15. Update Kid’s Clothes

16. Play Glow Frisbee

17. Write and Illustrate a Storybook

18. Tell Stories Around a Camp Fire

19. Build a Fort Out of Items Found in the Yard

20. Make Your Own Wrapping Paper

21. Create Your Own Signature Mocktails

22. Have a Backyard Campout

23. Make and Fly Kites

Kids standing in front of window drawings

24. Paint the Windows

25. Try Geocaching

26. Have a Water Fight

27. Have a Color Fight

28. Decorate Aprons

29. Make Pompom Monsters

30. Put on a Puppet Show

31. Make Perler Bead Bracelets

32. Start a Home Recycling Center

33. Make a Fairy Garden

34. Try Family Yoga

35. Have a Dance Party

36. Design Your Own Temporary Tattoos

37. Create a Dance Routine

38. Go for a Bike Ride

39. Make Snow Cones

40. Go Swimming

Mom and kids holding hands and walking

41. Visit the Zoo

42. Make Friendship Bracelets

43. Design Your Own Shrinky-Dinks

44. Tell Ghost Stories by Flashlight

45. Grow Crystal Designs

46. Make and Bury a Time Capsule

47. Let Kids Be Photographers for the Day

48. Tie Dye Some Shirts

49. Make Garden Stones

50. Go on a Haunted Tour (or Make Up Your Own)

51. Create a Sidewalk Chalk Game

52. Build Lego Mazes

53. Have an Elaborate Tea Party

54. Make a Stop Motion Video

55. Play Backyard Bowling

56. Giant Backyard Tic-Tac-Toe

57. Make Soda Bottle Rockets

58. Make Summer Memory Books

59. Create DIY Placemats

60. Make Homemade Ice Cream

61. Design Lego Cars and Race Them

62. Tie Dye Water Gun War

63. Craft Backpack Charms

64. Braid Flower Crowns

65. Play Giant Outdoor Glow Pong

66. Make a DIY Sprinkler and Play in It

67. Play Zip and Zoom Ball Game

68. Put on a Concert with Upcycled Instruments

69. Hang a Swing in the Backyard

70. Build a Tree House Together

71. Clear the Living Room and Go Sock Skating

72. Build Catapults

73. Play Family Charades

74. Try a Pen and Paper RPG

75. Climb a Tree

Don’t forget you can find a free printable list of these awesome activities +25 extra ideas in the VIP area for Newsletter Subscribers! Click here to sign up for the Newsletter and receive immediate access to the library.

Now you are prepared for any time the kids whine about boredom this summer. So many of these activities are simple to do and hours of fun. Which of these 75 screen free summer activities for kids is your favorite? Are there any summer activities your family loves that aren’t on here? Let me know in the comments!

See where I’m linking up!

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Kids playing outside with text overlay: 75 Screen Free Summer Activities for Kids

More Ideas You’ll Love:

Colorful DIY Summer Pool Bags
Easy DIY Summer Activities Board
Easy Fun Summer Crafts and Activities for Kids
Summer Road Trip Essentials – Domestically Creative

The beauty of summer is that you can enjoy a meal on the deck with your family. Another amazing thing I’ve noticed is that the outdoors make vegetables more palatable for even picky kiddos. Before you make your next meal plan, be sure to check out these 10 delicious vegetable side dishes perfect for summer meals.

Collage of vegetable side dishes with text overlay: 10 Delicious Vegetable Side Dishes Perfect for Summer

[bctt tweet=”Before you make your next meal plan, be sure to check out these 10 delicious vegetable side dishes perfect for summer meals on the deck.” username=”diyadulation”]

Are you excited for summer barbecues? Our extended families love hosting pitch-ins all summer long. That means we need some go-to side dishes to bring. These delicious recipes have us covered no matter what veggies we have on hand.

Garlic Roasted Mushrooms (Home Made Lovely)

Mushrooms are amazing! Roasting them in garlic makes them phenomenal! If you’re a mushroom lover you can’t miss this easy recipe.

Italian Seasoned Fresh Green Beans (Teaspoon of Goodness)

Looking for an easy way to amp up the flavor of your green beans? This side dish has you covered. It is also easy to whip up a big batch for family reunions and parties.

Easy Potatoes Au Gratin (A Mom’s Take)

Potato dishes are always a big crowd pleaser! This recipe makes au gratin potatoes crazy easy for a week night dinner or a large BBQ.

Tomato Avocado Salad (Cincy Shopper)

Lighten up the side dishes with this easy salad recipe. It is great for cooling down on hot summer days (or nights).

Creamy Broccoli Salad with Apples and Cherries (Delightful’E’Made)

This is another great side dish for hot summer days. It is the perfect mix of tangy, sweet, and crunchy!

Sweet & Tangy Sauteed Collard Greens (Comfort Spring)

Don’t knock it ’til you try it. Collard greens are delicious and this recipe steps it up even more. Try pairing it with grilled chicken and corn on the cob for an amazing summer meal.

Easiest Way to Make Corn on the Cob (Made in a Pinch)

Speaking of corn on the cob, this recipe keeps your grill and your stove free for the rest of your meal. Find out this super simple cooking method now!

Chipotle Lime Edamame (Dizzy, Busy, and Hungry)

Again, edamame is delicious on it’s own but adding a fiesta twist makes it amazing! This recipe makes a great appetizer, side dish, or even a snack.

Tangy Thai Cucumber Salad (Made in a Day)

Cucumber is such a fresh summer vegetable. That makes it perfect for pairing with tangy Thai flavor! Find out how to do it with this easy recipe.

Cheesy Crispy Baked Asparagus (DIY Adulation)

Last but certainly not least, this delicious asparagus recipe is incredibly easy to make. Layer it, toss it in the oven, and enjoy. It doesn’t get much easier than that!

I totally recommend trying all of these 10 delicious vegetable side dishes this summer. You can’t go wrong with any of them and your friends and family will love them. What are your favorite vegetables to enjoy this time of year? Let me know in the comments!

Now, let’s get onto this week’s Merry Monday link party! Share all of your awesomeness with us then check out what your friends are sharing this week. Can’t wait to see you down there!

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Collage of vegetable side dishes with text overlay: 10 Delicious Vegetable Side Dishes Perfect for Summer

Don’t let a tight budget make you feel like a hermit this summer. Instead, make gatherings a collaborative effort between friends and family. Find out how to host a pitch-in party to save money and be social this summer.

Affiliate links may be used in this post. Ordering a product through these links may result in a commission. Read the full disclosure here.

Collage of photos of food and confetti with text overlay: How to Host a Pitch-In Party

[bctt tweet=”Don’t let a tight budget make you feel like a hermit this summer. Instead, find out how to host a pitch-in party to save money and hang with family and friends!” username=”diyadulation”]

Pitch-ins, potlucks, or dish party… no matter what you call it, these are a popular party method for a reason. Our family reunion has been a pitch-in my entire life and I always looked forward to the dishes only found there.

It is also a budget-friendly way to feed a crowd without breaking the bank. That is part of why it’s so appealing. There are a few things to consider when hosting a pitch-in.

Salad in a red polka dot bowl and white dish full of grilled chicken and corn

Food and Drinks

It’s always a good idea to specify if you expect guests to bring their own drinks in addition to a dish to share. A lot of pitch-ins provide the drinks for guests but this can get pricey depending on your guests. For ultimate frugality, I suggest letting guests know to bring their own.

Keep the food simple. If you are providing the main dish, stick with hot dogs and hamburgers. They are cost effective and most everyone will eat them.

Don’t worry about chips and cookies either. In every group there are the ones who will stop at a store for their dishes. Chips and cookies always show up.

Supplies

Make sure you have disposable plates, forks, and cups. You don’t want to get stuck with a huge mess to clean up at the end of the night. If these are out of your budget, try having a few guests in charge of these items in lieu of a dish.

I also recommend having a Sharpie handy for labeling cups. These things always get mixed up throughout the celebration. Having guests label their cups prevents that.

Wood logs on fire inside of a fire pit

Entertainment

It’s not enough to invite people over and feed everyone. You need some sort of entertainment. Luckily, there are plenty of ideas that don’t break the bank.

Corn Hole

This is an easy outdoor game for people to enjoy. Have everyone with a set bring theirs so that multiple groups can play at once. Here is a great tutorial to make your own set, too!

Fire Pit

It appears to be a universal man law that if they can play with fire, they will. A small fire pit isn’t that expensive and always a great gathering place for guests.

Warning: Be sure to check your local ordinances before purchasing one. Some neighborhoods don’t allow the use of fire pits.

5 Pink Buckets on a Lawn with Blue Buckets in the Background

Giant Glow Pong

Want to keep the party going after dark? This giant backyard game is a blast and easy to make.

Board Games

Don’t let the outdoors fool you. Board games are as much a blast on the back deck as they are in the house. Don’t be afraid to try an outdoors game night. Get awesome ideas for games here.

There you have it! Now you know how to host a pitch-in party with all of your friends and family this summer. Take turns rotating the house that hosts it to keep it fair, especially when you all have kids. It is nice to be able to put your kids down for the night sometimes and simply enjoy socializing.

See where I’m linking up!

Don’t Forget to Pin It!

Wooden table with scattered confetti and a confetti filled balloon with text overlay: How to Host a Pitch-In Party