The Perfect Summer Balance: Fun, Structure, and Keeping Your Sanity
If you’re like me, juggling kids, work, and the ever-present need for a little bit of routine, you know that summer can be tricky. You want your kids to have the freedom to relax and enjoy the break, but too much free time turns into chaos real fast. (Ask me how I know.)
With my own kids, years of babysitting and nannying, plus teaching experience, I’ve tried all the methods to find the perfect balance of “structured” vs. “break.” And while no summer is ever perfect, I’ve picked up a few tricks that help make it smoother and more fun for everyone.
(FYI - this post may contain affiliate links, which means I may be compensated for sharing the link at no cost to you.)
1. Make a Master Calendar
I love a good Google Calendar, but if you’re more of a paper person, an old-school planner works too. The key here is that this calendar is for you—to lay out everything you could do, not necessarily everything you have to do. It helps you see the big picture and figure out how to space things out so you don’t end up with three jam-packed weeks followed by three weeks of "Mom, I’m booooored."
2. Fill Your Calendar With a Mix of Activities
To keep summer engaging without feeling like a full-time camp counselor, I like to mix and match different types of activities:
Free and Inexpensive Child-Centered Activities
Start by checking your local libraries’ event calendars. Seriously, if you haven’t explored library activities yet, you are missing out. They host so many free programs that are actually fun. I also recommend looking up any "Play Cafe" type businesses in your area. Our favorite is The Play Cafe in Marion, IA —it’s affordable, packed with fun activities, and best of all, when your kids make a giant mess, it stays there, not in your house. Of course, make sure to check out the binSpire events page and sign up for all the messy play events. Give your kids the sensory fun they deserve—without destroying your own house. Don't forget your local parks and splash pads!
Classes, Clubs, and Camps
Local community centers, play cafes, children’s museums, aquatic centers, and nature centers all run summer programs. Some are one-day or weeklong camps, while others last longer. A quick internet search should help you locate the best ones for your family. Pro tip: Many camps fill up by the end of February, so if you’re considering any, sign up, like, yesterday.
At-Home Activities
I’m all about fun outings, but leaving the house every single day is not the vibe I’m going for. I like to have some easy at-home activities ready to go. Some of my go-tos:
- Sensory bins - binSpire bins are done for you, ready to play!
- A water table - because nothing entertains kids quite like splashing water
- A craft supply box - you can DIY one or grab a pre-made one like this.
- Days With Grey is one of my favorite resources for simple, engaging activities
"Field Trips"
These are the bigger activities that take more time, planning, or money. I aim for about one per month, but some families do them weekly or just once all summer. Totally up to you. Our favorites include:
- The Iowa Children's Museum
- Bloomsbury Farm
- The State Fair
- Zoos & Aquariums
They take more prep, but the memories are worth it! And if big outings aren’t your thing? No guilt. You’re not a bad parent if you skip these. If you do go, planning with a friend can make it easier. Extra adults = extra sanity.
3. Make a Kid Calendar
Once you have your master calendar, refine it to a version that actually makes sense for your family. And don’t forget: It’s always okay to skip a day if things aren’t working out, the weather’s bad, or you’re just not feeling it.
Kids do best when they know what to expect, so I like to make a kid-friendly calendar. You can do this a few ways:
- A daily schedule (with pictures for non-readers!) to show the basic flow of the day. This is great for managing the endless "When can I have screen time?" questions.
- A linear calendar—this is a game changer for younger kids. Instead of a traditional stacked calendar, lay out the days in one long row so they can easily see what’s coming. You can make it as long or short as you want, and use specifics like "messy play event" or more generic like, "field trip."
- A traditional calendar—for older kids, you can buy a calendar or print out a free one online. You can even ask them to help you fill in the calendar and practice their writing skills by adding in the activities themselves.
This helps kids feel more in control and reduces the "What are we doing today?" chaos. It also keeps me accountable for the things I want to do with my kids. And of course, when plans change, it’s a great way to help kids practice flexibility.
Get my FREE daily picture schedule template here.
Get my FREE linear calendar template here.
4. Summer Care: Because We Can’t Do It All
If your kids are in summer care, whether it’s for you to work, to get some one-on-one time with another child, or just to take a break, that is okay! Summer programs keep kids on a routine, provide fun activities, and give them extra social time.
And if your daycare or summer program is looking for something fun, I’d love to bring Messy Play to them! Give their provider my info and let’s make it happen.
No Right or Wrong Way to Do Summer
Every family’s summer will look different, and that’s totally fine. Whether you plan every day to a T or go with the flow, the goal is to create a summer that works for you—one that’s fun, manageable, and doesn’t leave you counting the days until school starts.
If you’re local, I can’t wait to see you around this summer! Don’t forget to grab your messy play spots before they sell out!