Camp P!

Another blog mama said she is doing Mama Camp this summer. We call it "Camp P" at our house. When our children were smaller, I tried to keep them at home while I cleaned house, organized closets, and did "my things". Although many of "my things" benefit the whole family, I was ignoring our children to accomplish chores. It backfired. The house was torn up, and I was one angry mama. I vowed to not spend my summers working on my to-do list, but to do things with the children during "Camp P". It made all of the difference!!

There are still many days where everyone must play at home while I clean house & pack bags or run the vacuum. We do have to run errands together too. I just try to do something fun with the children as often as I can.

Here are some ideas:

-Visit a different local park each week. Bring bread to feed the ducks or bring a picnic and enjoy it. One park here even has fountains that the children can run through.

-Play post office one day and write letters or thank you notes. Little children can color. Then, go to the post office & mail the letters. You can discuss our postal system in the car!

-Visit the local library. Check to see if they have storytime. Select good books to read over the summer!

-Have your older children read and then do a book report.

-Pull out fun costumes and let the children create plays. Then, put your things down and actively watch the plays!

-Find things in the house that sound like an instrument and let everyone play in the band.

-Visit your local airport and watch the planes take off. RDU in Raleigh has a great observation area... in the air conditioning!

-Let your children run through the sprinkler--- NAKED.

-Let them jump in puddles & dance in the rain if it rains.

-Wash your cars and splash each other! (These activities can only happen if there are no water restrictions)

-Check your local movie theaters for free or $1 children's movies in the middle of the week! Take your own snacks and enjoy the cool air!

-Visit the pool!!! If you belong to a club, be thankful!

-Ride bikes together or take a walk.

-Choose recipes the children can cook and then shop for the items together and then let the children cook for you!

-Invite friends over for the children.

-Teach the children a new board game!

-Visit your local bakery or Krispy Kreme doughnuts and buy everyone a treat.

-Serve in a local ministry or homeless shelter.

-Have everyone choose 3 or 5 things to give away and then do it!

-Treat everyone to lunch at an old pharmacy with a counter.

-Ride the train (or even the bus) to somewhere close by! Have lunch & return!

-Fly a kite on a windy day.

-Take advantage of the things you never do in your geographical area. Hop in the car for a day trip!

-Visit the zoo or aquarium.

-Go downtown and pretend to be a tourist for the day.

-Sit on your back deck and drink that glass of wine you said you were going to have when you bought the house! Let the children play while you relax a minute!

-Start a summer garden and tend to it as a family!

-Have a lemonade stand! Donate the proceeds to a favorite charity or use the money for a fun treat.


We have quiet time in the summer almost every day. You can read a book or play a game quietly, but you must be in your room and QUIET. This allows baby sis to nap and gives Mama some down time too!