Lately, our family has been talking about our plans for the summer. Many of our discussions have been about the summer essentials required for a fun summer day. The summer essentials from a kid’s point of view are different than those from an adult’s standpoint. While FUN is a priority, summer parenting is often jaded with sibling rivalry and creative ways to keep active with the kids’ educational skills.
My 12 year old daughter shares her thoughts on Summer Essentials for FUN in the sun…
When I think about the essentials to a summer day, there are a few things that stand out in my mind. Firstly, going out in the nice weather would be awesome! The most important item to consider before heading outdoors, of course, is sunscreen. Sunscreen protects your skin and prevents sunburns. There are so many different sunscreen options out there, so you can pick your favourite brand or even scent. Also, don’t forget to use deodorant! Summer means HOT, which often means sweat.
NOW for the FUN essentials! Something so awesome to always have on hand is chalk! It is a mess free, on the go art experience. You and your kids can create summer masterpieces together. Another super fun activity is water play! You can use a fancy water gun OR simply poke holes in a plastic bottle.
By being prepared with summer essentials, you can have fun and be free of complaints from the kids. The only issue is getting through two months of this! Good luck and have a great summer.
My son, on the other hand, lives a very simple life.
For him, summer is about activities and fun. He said that with a super soaker in hand, he can have fun in any summer situation! Fun is where it is at for the summer time for my 8 year old boy!
Summer Essentials from a Mom’s Perspective…
Now, from a Mom’s view point, there are definitely a few summer essentials that are key to consider having at the ready:
- Sunscreen There are many different kinds of sunscreen out there; therefore, be sure to do your research to learn which one will best suit your needs.
- Razor If you are like me and get lazy during the winter, you want to be sure to have some new razors or razor blades on hand. There is nothing worse than getting stuck in the shower, legs all lathered up, only to learn that you have no razor!
- Lotion While our skin is notorious for being dry during the winter months, it is just as important to keep our skin well moisturized during the summer months as well! The sun dries out our skin and a good lotion can help your skin re-hydrate.
- Deodorant If you’re like me and you sweat a lot, you want to be sure you are stocked up with a good deodorant!
- Snacks I literally NEVER leave the house in the summer without water for the kids and a full snack bag! When the kids are as active as they are, they need fuel to keep them going!
- Fun for the kids I have taught my kiddos that there is no such thing as the word BORED! However, I also make sure that I am always armed with great ideas for fun in the summer. Sidewalk chalk and super soakers are great for a hot summer day to keep the kids busy and happy for hours!
Crayola Washable Sidewalk Chalk
Schick Intuition
Chips Ahoy Thins
Life Brand Fabric Bandages
SUNTHERA Sun Protection Lotion
St. Ives Oatmeal & Shea Butter Body Lotion
Banana Boat Kids Sunscreen Lotion
Kids Folding Camp Chair
Nerf Scatter Blast
This busy Mom loves one stop shopping for summer essentials!
As a result, Shoppers Drug Mart has become one of my favourite stores because they have you covered with summer essentials for an active family who is on the go!
A giant Shoppers Drug Mart summer bucket will pop up at various locations in and around the GTA this month, with chances to win prizes. You’ll get to create your very own Summer Bucket list moment and take an interactive selfie to share. Look out for the giant bucket at Toronto Harbourfront – Harbourfront Kids Circus (May 20 -22), Square One Celebration Square Movie Nights in Mississauga on Thursday nights (May 25, June 1, June 8, June 15), Barrie Waterfront Festival (May 26 – 28), Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest (June 3-4), and will be featured at other fun-filled events, too!
There are also chances to win prizes in store starting on Saturday AND find out how you can win 1 of 5 prizes of 1 million Optimum points by visiting Shoppers Drug Mart.
Prize: $100 Shoppers Drug Mart Gift Card
Giveaway Ends: June 30, 2016, 11:59pm ET
This post has been generously sponsored by Shoppers Drug Mart. All opinions are my own and have not been influenced in any way.
I enjoy camping in the summer with the kids!
Fun, Amy! Any favourite camp ground?
Favorite summer activity is going camping with the family.
So many camping fans! Hook me up with a glamping experience, and I’d be a happy camper 😉
In summer, we love camping in our trailer as a family. We love seeing the local area and getting out and seeing what this great country has to offer.
I stayed in a trailor for the first time last summer. So much fun! Do you have a specific place you like to visit, Tara?
we love Kingston, Ontario area…. There is so much to do and so beautiful being in the 1000 Islands. My best time was when we travelled to Yellowstone National Park… Love that! Would love to travel to BC with the trailer too!
Love Kingston area in Ontario
Camping for sure ! Also beach days !
Any favourite place to camp, Amie?
I like Tobermory area and I like Grand Bend Area ! 😀 but I will try new places for fun as well ! 😀
I haven’t been to either of those locations, but I have heard great things for sure!
day trips – head in a different direction and explore!
You’re an adventure person, Francine! FUN!
I love going for long walks and bike riding.
I adore long walks too! Do you prefer going solo or with someone, Gillian? I like both for different reasons.
We love to go boating. Very happy to have moved our boat to Lake Simcoe this year. Adventure awaits! 🙂
I LOVE boating too! SO much fun! When my parents got their first boat (I was in grade 9), that is where it was! Thanks for visiting, Kristy!
Hm, hard to pick, but I think overall my favourite summer activity with the family is going to the beach.
The beach is always a family fav! Any specific beach, Jennifer?
Haha, well my favourite would be somewhere “away” like Hawaii or California, but luckily there are still lots of nice beaches to explore close to home. We especially like a small beach that is in Stanley Park – it is quite quiet compared to the main beaches there, and is right beside the spray park, so we often combine the activities. When the tide is out it’s great for exploring – we did a “Beach Walk” that was included with our Vancouver Aquarium membership last year and it was really interesting.
I dream of visiting Hawaii one day!!! Stanley Park is SO beautiful. I hope to bring my kids there one day.
I love going on road trips to explore new places
Me too! So much fun, Jonnie!
My favourite summer activity with the family is taking local day trips.
Local day trips are always so much fun! Any favourite one?
My favourite activity is enjoying the outdoors.
Do you like the beach or hiking better, Monica?
BEACH all the way.
The beach is always a great place! Do you have a favourite one?
We love to go to the beach in the summer time.
Any favourite beach, Vivian?
Camping is a great summer activity with the family.
It sure is! I’m not a big camper, but I know many families that do. I would be more a glamper type 😉
Camp fires and smores
Oh my goodness, YES Alicia! Smores are certainly the best!
My favourite summer activity with my family is going to the beach and splashpads!
The kiddos LOVE to visit different splashpads! Do yours have a favourite one, Erika?
My favorite summer activities with my family are hosting BBQs, going to the beach, going to festivals and seeing outdoor bands!
Outdoor bands are so much fun! The last time I went to one was at New Years! Can’t wait for summer music.
What are your fav BBQ foods, Stephanie?
I love my grilled maple salmon and potatoes!
My favourite summer activity with my family is spending the day at the beach.
A day at the beach is always a great time, do you have a favourite one, Jenn?
We don’t go often enough but I love going to the lake.
When you say ‘the lake’, is it a specific one, Jenny?
We love to go to the beach to make sandcastles, or hunt for sea glass or skip rocks!
My sister and I used to love skipping rocks to see whose could go the farthest! So much fun!
We love to go to the beach and play volleyball.
I haven’t played beach volleyball in YEARS!!!
I love to go swimming with the family
Swimming is the best! Do you have a fav location, Karry?
We love beach days, and picnics and bonfires.
Sounds perfect to me! Do you have a favourite beach, Ivy?
I live in the country in Manitoba, we are surrounded by beaches. We have a few that we go to
My favourite summer activity is camping, love spending time with the family doing it!
I’m not a camper – now glamping on the other hand……
Do you have a fav campground, Judy?
We are set up on a seasonal lot by Grand Bend, ON. You could say we glamp since we have a 38ft trailer that has 3 slides & all the comforts of home…lol
My favorite summer activity is to go hiking in the woods with my family.
I love a good hike in the woods! Could spend the whole day doing that.
Golf and camping
Are you a serious golfer, Lushka? That is something I have never tried.
No, not too serious, only need to be serious if you are in the LPGA. LOL. But I do get out 2-3 days a week. Great way to socialize, you should try it.
My favourite activity is playing badminton, lots of fun, Lucky we just do it for fun because me having a bad back I need a partner that can do all the running..lol
We played badminton in our backyard for hours as kids. I bought my kiddos a net last year, but it broke 🙁 Back to the drawing board!
We love to spend the day at the beach getting on and off of our floating devices.
A day at the beach is always so much fun! Do you have a favourite beach?
Our favorite activity is swimming at the pool or the beach.
I love to swim too! Any favourite place to go, Robyn?
Our favorite beach is Sibbald point. It’s very nice and only about 45 minute drive from our house.
Beach trips to go swimming or just relax is our favourite summer activity.
Love swimming at the beach!
I love spending time outdoors! I think my favourite activity is camping.
Do you have a favourite campground, Lisa?
Walking on the beach is our favourite summertime activity.
Do you have a favourite beach, Joanne?
We love doing family scavenger hunts. I bring prizes for everyone. It is a great way to get exercise and have fun together!
So much fun! I would love to hear more about this. Do you stick to home, or are they more wide-spread – what a great tradition!
We love to head out camping in the summer!
Do you camp in the same place every year, Ashley?
We love to go to the beach and look for beach glass, we have found many unique pieces.
That is a lot of fun, I agree. Beach glass is so pretty.
I love going on a camping trip with my family.
Florence C
Florence – do you have a favourite campground?
I love going on bike rides with my family!
The kids LOVE it when I join them on a bike ride! So much fun.
I love going on picnics in the summer. My favourite thing to do!
Picnics are always so much fun – I love bringing deviled eggs – what do you like to bring on yours?
Swimming and BBQ!
YES!!! Love it Casey! What is your fav food on the grill?
I love it when the entire family, all ages, and pets too get a chance to swim in the ocean together. Due to weather and opportunity we’re lucky if this happens once every other year.
I love ‘picnics’ in the backyard, or a simple sidewalk chalk party.
We love hiking 🙂
I like to take the kids to different beaches in our area. We bring a picnic and spend the day there.
We love trying out new beaches and exploring new towns!
We like to spend time at the lake having a picnic and swimming.
we love to geocache
We love going to a local beach
We love going to the waterfront for a leisurely bike ride, followed by a swim and a picnic.
We love going on bike rides!
Swimming is everyone’s favourite.
We love going to all the local beaches!
We love to go swimming
First year as a family but so far looks like we’ll be doing lots of cottaging/camping!
We love to have a picnic at our favourite provincial park.
We love going to the park and splash pad with our toddler 🙂
We’re all rabid wild blueberry pickers in my family.
Our favourite summer activity is to go camping.
Picking Saskatoon Berries! It’s kind of a race with us, to see who can get the most first…but in a fun and playful way. Love to bake pies with the berries we pick.
We love outdoor swimming opportunities – lake, pool, beach! Bring it!
we love the beach and the park
Hiking is our favorite!
Going to different street festivals
Our family loves swimming
Love picking berries together
I love road tripping.
we love to go hiking down the river trails
My favourite is going on hikes together.
We enjoy walks around the neighbourhood and going to the park.
My family loves picnics in the park!