Prepping to Be Summer Ready: Your Ultimate Guide to Summer Fun
Welcome back to Making Everyday Magic! My name is Shanna, and if you’re new here, we’re a homeschooling family of four who has just wrapped up our seventh year of homeschooling. Now, it’s time to get summer ready! For me, summer fun means being prepared, and today, I’m going to take you through everything I keep ready to maximize our family adventures, activities, and all the fun stuff that comes with the summer season.
Be sure to subscribe to our monthly newsletter to be an insider and to follow along with our days over on Instagram @makingeverydaymagic.
Partnering with Bark for a Safer Digital Summer
Today’s content is in partnership with Bark. Just as we apply sunscreen to protect our skin in the real world, Bark acts as a protective layer in the digital world. With summer heating up, my kids will be spending more time on their devices. Bark’s parental control app helps me set up healthier habits around technology by monitoring apps, social media, websites, and games. It alerts me to potentially concerning situations like self-harm, risky contacts, or inappropriate content, helping to keep my kids safe online.
Bark also offers location-based tracking, which is a lifesaver as my daughter starts to venture out more on her own. For $99 a year, you can monitor multiple kids across multiple devices. Try Bark Premium free for 7 days to see how it can work for your family.
Family Adventures: Our Summer Routine
Our family loves adventures, especially in the summer. From parks to pools, water parks to museums, and zoos, we take full advantage of the summer vibe. Here’s how we prepare for our summer adventures:
Summer Wardrobe Must-Haves
Living in Houston, we know the importance of lightweight, quick-dry clothing. Our summer wardrobe includes:
– Lightweight, quick-dry clothing
– Hats and sunglasses
– Active sandals: Strappy, water-safe sandals are perfect for our unpredictable weather and all-day outings.
Always Ready: The Swim Bag
I always keep a swim bag packed with:
– Diving rings and goggles
– Sunscreen and a tiny hairbrush
– Room for swim towels: This bag is always ready in a closet for quick grab-and-go access.
Car Bin Essentials
Our car bin sits between the back seats and includes:
– Towel: For drying off slides or wet park benches.
– Spare car seats: For when cousins or friends join us.
– Sunglasses: Multiple pairs because it’s always bright.
– Activity bag: With books, coloring supplies, and puzzles for on-the-go entertainment.
– Trash can: A must-have to keep the car clean.
Backpack Go-Bag
Our go-bag is always ready with:
– Membership cards and passes
– Sunglasses and chapstick
– Hand sanitizer and wipes
– Allergy and simple medications
– Battery pack and reusable shopping bag
– Water bottle bag
Food and Snacks
Keeping everyone fed and hydrated is crucial. We always have:
– Easy travel fruits: Apples, mandarins, bananas.
– Assorted chips and lunch supplies: Bread, lunch meat, cheese.
– Reusable sandwich wraps: To reduce waste.
– Various sizes of ice chest: For different outing lengths.
– Frozen milk jug: To keep everything cool without the mess of melted ice.
– Single-serving drinks: Electrolyte drinks, soda cans, juice boxes.
– Can coolers: For keeping drinks cool on the go.
Water Solutions
Staying hydrated is key. We use:
– Water backpacks: Keeps water cold and our backs cool.
– Double-wall insulated plastic bottles: Lightweight and dishwasher-safe.
– Water bottle bags: Crossbody slings that fit one snack and one water bottle.
Conclusion
Being summer ready means being prepared. With our snacks, water, and safety measures in place, we can focus on having fun. Thanks to Bark for partnering with us to ensure our digital safety, and don’t forget to check out their 7-day free trial.
I hope you found this guide helpful! Let me know in the comments how you prep for summer. Are you someone who has everything packed and ready, or do you take a more laid-back approach? I’d love to hear from you!
Stay tuned for more tips and adventures, and remember to subscribe and follow me on Instagram at @makingeverydaymagic. Happy summer prepping!
