Five Fresh and Fun Summer Activities

Summer never gets old, but a little motivation and a good sense of adventure go a long way toward making the most of it. Check out these five fresh and fun activities you may not have tried. 

1. Organize a canoe trip

The great outdoors provides endless bonding and learning opportunities. And Brighton’s calm and shallow stretch of the Huron River is the perfect backdrop for a quiet family outing.

Heavner Canoe & Kayak Rental, which operates out of Island Lake Recreation Area, has all the necessary equipment needed for a leisurely float. A number of trips are available. If you or your child is just starting out, an hour or two is all the time you’ll need to get your sea legs. Once you’re ready for uncharted territory, you can pack up your camping supplies and head out for an overnight trip. Babies and dogs are welcome.    

2. Go berry picking

There’s only one use for a heavy, long-sleeved shirt in summer: to protect little and big arms alike from the threat of the berry bramble. Add a sunhat and a bucket and you’re ready to go berry picking. Toddlers as young as 18 months love to help spot the ripe berries, and older children can help turn their harvest into jam or pies to share with family and friends.

The red raspberries at , a family-owned, pick-your-own farm in Dexter, are ripe from mid-August to mid-October. Don’t forget the camera. The rows of berry bushes and and the neighboring pumpkin patch make for a great photo op.

3. Go to the waterpark… in your backyard

Every kid knows that summer isn’t over until you’ve spent a day at a waterpark. To save the hassle of planning and the expense of traveling, set up your own oasis in your backyard. All you need is a hose and a little bit of imagination. To really make a splash, add a sprinkler, a wading pool or two, an inflatable slide, water guns, and water balloons.

Before splurging on new items, ask the kids to help you pool your resources. Every family on the block probably has a backyard water toy of some sort. Pick a day and invite everyone over on the condition that they share.

The backyard waterpark also makes a great birthday party theme. Make invites modeled on admission tickets and talk a relative into manning the water balloon station. 

Need an excuse to celebrate? This year marks the 51st anniversary of the Slip ‘N Slide. 

4. Construct a fort

Everyone loves to build a fort indoors, but access to the great outdoors takes this favorite childhood pastime to new heights. Help young children build a sense of independence by giving them a special playspace where they’re unlikely to be interrupted by the frustratingly unimaginative activities of adults.

Depending on your child’s age and the level of involvement you want to take on, materials can include cloth, cardboard and/or wood. Existing spaces, such as sheds, carports, and decks, can serve as a foundation for the ultimate architectural marvel.

5. Make a the right kind of fuss over food

An easy way to get kids to eat their fruits and veggies is to make a fuss over the presentation. It turns out that star-shaped apple slices are much more palatable than the plain-old variety. You’ll be even more of a gastronomic hero if you serve them frozen and/or on a stick. Simply chunk your favorites, arrange them on bamboo skewers, toss them on a cookie sheet, and pop them in the freezer for a few hours. In a pinch, offer frozen peas or corn kernels at snack time. You’ll be amazed at how easily this quick fix helps to reform veggie-haters. Don’t forget to let older children in on the fun. Children of all ages benefit from helping around the house.   

Happy Summer!