Easy DIY Summer Activities Board + Free Printables

Summer will be here before you know it. It is easy to forget about in all of the end of the school year chaos. Get your summer activity plan in place with an easy DIY summer activities board.

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 Summer Activities Board with text overlay: Easy DIY Summer Activities Board + Free Printables

I am a planner at heart. Lists, calendars, and detailed schedules are kind of my thing. Unfortunately, my kids haven’t caught that bug yet.

As they have gotten older, the usual by-the-numbers schedule doesn’t cut it during summer break. Instead, we’re taking a new approach this year with this DIY summer activities board.

Each day has a specific theme and has only one “structured” activity. This theme is a little different than your average summer calendar. I wanted to make sure that we remained productive.

 

Summer Activities Cards Pinned to Pink Poster Board

Theme Days

Mommy Mondays

Each Monday the family will take part in a home improvement, decluttering, or cleaning activity chosen by me. These are not huge undertakings because I don’t want it to take the entire day.

Instead these should be smaller activities. Some that I included are:

Tech-Free Tuesdays

Tuesdays are reserved for anything that doesn’t use technology. This means no video games, tablets, or television. These days are mostly filled with crafts such as:

A couple of the days I want to take it a step further and make dinner without electricity. Then we will spend the evening by candlelight.

Wandering Wednesdays

Wednesdays are all about getting out of the house. We have a zoo membership so I included multiple zoo days in our schedule. Other activities include:

 

[bctt tweet=”Get your summer activity plan in place with an easy DIY summer activities board.” username=”diyadulation”]

Think It Thursdays

Keep your kids learning with “Think It Thursdays”. These days will have science experiments, writing activities, and hands on learning. Luckily, it’s easy to keep the learning fun. For example, we will be:

Family Fridays

Of course, summer isn’t summer unless you get some family time in. Family Fridays keep us close with fun activities like:

DIY Summer Activities Board Materials

 

Bag of Mini Clothespins

Step 1

Start by removing your mini clothespins from the packaging.

 

Mini Clothespins Laid Out on Cardboard

Spray Painted Mini Clothespins

Step 2

Align the clothespins on a piece of cardboard or newspaper and cover with spray paint.

 

Flipped Over Mini Clothespins on Cardboard

Spray Painted Mini Clothespins

Step 3

After the spray paint has dried, flip your clothespins over and again, cover with spray paint.

 

Printable Activities Cards Pages

Step 4

Now, print out your printable summer activities cards.

 

Cut Out Stacks of Summer Activities Cards

Step 5

Cut apart your summer activities cards and fill out any blank ones you want to customize.

Note:

 

Pink Poster Board with Words Written on It in Marker

Step 6

Next, pull out your poster board and write the words “Summer Activities” across the top of the short end with your Sharpie.

Tip:

 

Pink Poster Board with Words Written on It in Marker

Pink Poster Board with Words Written on It in Marker

Step 7

Underneath your title, label your days of the week as pictured.

 

Gluing Yellow Poster Board Strip to Pink Poster Board

Note:

 

Summer Activity Card next to Glued Mini Clothespin

Step 8

Next, glue one mini clothespin under “Mon” in the center with hot glue.

 

Mini Clothespins Glued to Pink Poster Board

Step 9

Now, place one of your cards next to it to measure where to glue your next mini clothespin.

 

Summer Activities Board with Mini Clothespins Glued to It

Step 10

Continue gluing your mini clothespins under “Mon” until you have 5 in the row.

 

Summer Activities Board with Mini Clothespins Glued to It

Step 11

Next, fill in the rest of your board with 5 mini clothespins under each day.

 

Step 12

Lastly, add 4 cards under each day. Clip the extra cards on the 5th pin. Replace the ones you do as needed.

 

Summer Activities Cards Pinned to Pink Poster Board

Summer Activities Cards Pinned to Pink Poster Board

Summer Activities Cards on Pink Poster Board with text overlay: Easy DIY Summer Activities Board + Free Printables

We are so excited for summer now that we have this DIY summer activities board. This is the perfect way to stick with your summer goals without fighting for a rigid schedule.

I’ll give you an update on the efficacy of this new schedule at the end of the summer. Before you go, I’d love to know what your favorite summer activity to whip out for your kids is. Let me know in the comments!

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Collage of Photos of Summer Activities Board with text overlay: Easy DIY Summer Activities Board + Free Printables

 

More Ideas You’ll Love:

How to Practice Puppy Care with Kids

This is a sponsored post from Charlie Tractor™. All ideas, projects, and opinions are my own.

At some point your kiddos are going to ask for a new puppy. A family pet is a great way to teach kids responsibility but it is a huge undertaking. Find out how to practice puppy care with kids before taking the leap into pet ownership.

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 little girl holding puppy care chart, a puppy in the grass, and Charlie Tractor and Pickles Book with text overlay: How to Practice Puppy Care with Kids

[bctt tweet=”A family pet is a great way to teach kids responsibility but it is a huge undertaking. Find out how to practice puppy care with kids before taking the leap into pet ownership.” username=”diyadulation”]

I have seriously been considering getting another dog lately. It doesn’t help that the kids beg me for one constantly.

However, while we are paying off debt isn’t the right time for us to take on more expenses.

Instead of waiting for that final debt payment to take the leap, we’ve decided to start practicing now. That’s why I’ve come up with these tips for how to practice puppy care with kids.

 

Charlie Tractor and Pickles Children's Book

Little girl sitting and reading a book

Charlie Tractor™ and Pickles

Start with this adorable new children’s book about a little boy and his new puppy. It is written by sisters Katie and Carrie Weyler who grew up in Ohio with a family of 5 kids.

 

Open Charlie Tractor Book

Story Synopsis

“Today is a very exciting day for Charlie Tractor. Charlie is going to the animal shelter to pick out a dog! Now he just has to figure out what to name his new friend. Children will love getting to know Charlie’s new pet in this fun story for dog-lovers.”

Charlie Tractor and Pickles is the first book in a series of books based on real events from the sisters’ childhood. The books follow the adventures of Charlie Tractor and his family. They are so much fun for the entire family! Learn more about this adorable and fun children’s book series here!

 

Child coloring a picture

Child holding coloring sheet

Discuss the Responsibilities

After you have read Charlie Tractor and Pickles as a family, it’s time to talk about the responsibilities of pet ownership. Make this a fun experience by printing out this free printable coloring page for kids.

As the kids color, talk about how to care for a new puppy. This includes:

Bonus:

 

Little girl holding pink puppy care chore chart

Put It Into Practice

Lastly, put everything kids have learned into practice.

 

Pink and Yellow Puppy Care Practice Chore Chart

Orange and Teal Puppy Care Practice Chore Chart

Step 1

First, print out these free printable puppy care sheets. There are two color options for your kiddos:

Step 2

Next, grab a stuffed puppy dog. If your kiddos don’t already have one (or one hundred), pick on up at the Dollar Tree.

Step 3

Also get a food and water dish for the practice puppy. You can simply use 2 plastic bowls you already own for this. No need to go out for any fancy dog bowls.

Step 4

Once everything is set up, have kids perform tasks on the printable checklists each day.

 

Little girl sitting and reading a book

Tips:

  1. When the kids take out the practice puppy, set a timer for 2 minutes before they can come in. This will help them get used to the time involved.
  2. Go for actual walks with the kids and practice puppy every day.
  3. Empty out the food and water bowls each night for kids to refill in the morning.

 

Puppy in the grass with text overlay: How to Practice Puppy Care with Kids

I’m so glad we read Charlie Tractor and Pickles to start this awesome journey. Now we have a plan for how to practice puppy care with kids and get prepared to be pet owners again.

This is a great way to ease into pets while you finish paying off debt. Don’t forget to grab your copy of Charlie Tractor and Pickles today! It is the perfect book to start the puppy conversation with your kiddos.

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Puppy in the grass with text overlay: How to Practice Puppy Care with Kids

 

More Ideas You’ll Love:

 

Easy Mother’s Day Gifts Kids Can Make

The year continues to fly by as always. In the quest to help you dominate your finances, it is time to start planning for the next holiday: Mother’s Day. Get your budget-friendly gifts ready with these easy Mother’s Day gifts kids can make.

Collage of Mother's Day gift photos with text overlay: Easy Mother's Day Gifts Kids Can Make

[bctt tweet=”Dominate your finances and get your budget-friendly gifts ready with these easy Mother’s Day gifts kids can make.” username=”diyadulation”]

Admittedly, as far as holidays go, I love Mother’s Day when it comes to the budget. Let’s face it. We are easy. A tiny fistful of dandelions from the backyard warms our hearts.

That makes this the easiest holiday to budget for. Now, I’m not suggesting you hand mom a bundle of weeds as a gift, but you can still give a heartfelt gift without breaking the bank. These easy Mother’s day gifts prove that.

 

Hands holding heart shaped seed bomb

DIY Seed Bombs (My Big Fat Happy Life)

Instead of picking flowers, let mom plant some with these easy seed bombs. The best part is that you can personalize the seeds to flowers that grow well in your region.

 

3 Colorful Potted Plants

Monogram Fabric Pots (Curly Crafty Mom)

If you want to give mom flowers for Mother’s Day, try dressing them up with these gorgeous flower pots.

 

Pressed floral coasters with books and gold tape

Dollar Store Flower Coasters (Crafty Lumberjacks)

Can you believe that something so gorgeous can be so easy and inexpensive to make? Find out how to make these beautiful coasters from dollar store finds.

 

Finger painted wooden planter box with flowers inside

Flower Thumbprint Planter (5 Minutes for Mom)

No fabric? Fear not. This easy flower planter is equally as beautiful and personalized with the kids’ thumbprints.

 

Terracotta pot with ladybugs painted on it

Hand Painted Ladybug Planter (Suzer Space)

Need an even easier flower pot? It doesn’t get any better than this ladybug planter.

 

Blue Paint Stamped on Gray Card

Easy Unique Kid Crafted Mother’s Day Cards (DIY Adulation)

Don’t forget the card when giving your gifts this year. These are made from items your already have at home and are way better than anything on the store shelves.

 

Hand print flowers on a throw pillow

Mother’s Day Ideas: Make a Handprint Pillow (The Country Chic Cottage)

Why not give the gift of flowers that never die. This adorable pillow is the perfect Mother’s Day keepsake.

 

Upcycled Photo Vase with flowers

Mother’s Day Tin Can Photo Vase (Dazzle While Frazzled)

Go the upcycled route with this adorable vase. Add mom’s favorite photos and match it to her decor with the decorative trim color and style.

 

Painted hand prints on serving tray

Hand Print Tray for Mother’s Day (Resin Crafts Blog)

Give mom a place to serve those delicious homemade cookies with this adorable, personalized tray. Kids will love making it and mom/grandma will love showing it off.

 

Watercolor geode magnets next to watercolor paints and brush

Watercolor Geode Magnet DIY (Crafty Lumberjacks)

Yet another classy but ridiculously easy gift idea right here. You’d never guess that these are made with paint and marbles. Find out how easy they are for yourself at the tutorial.

 

Collage of Mother's Day gift photos with text overlay: Easy Mother's Day Gifts Kids Can Make

Which of these easy Mother’s Day crafts is your favorite? Maybe shoot a link to it to hubs to cement that gift hint. Personally, any one of these adorable crafts would be the perfect surprise for me.

Now it’s time to get partying at this week’s Merry Monday link party. Share your latest creations and tips with us. Then hop around to see what everyone else is creating.

See where I’m linking up!

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Collage of Mother's Day gift photos with text overlay: Easy Mother's Day Gifts Kids Can Make