How to Have the Best Summer Ever!

Ahhhhh, sweet summertime. The air is warm, the sun is bright, and the kids are....BORED! After a few days, children are tired of watching TV or staying with the sitter and you've run out of ideas to keep them busy. Luckily, we've compiled ideas of what you can do with your little ones. Scroll through our list to find ideas for at-home, nearby, vacations, and more!

Indoors:

Arts and Crafts

Forts and Imagination

Movie Marathon

• Harry Potter
• Lord of the Rings
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid
• Disney Movies
• High School Musical
• https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/50-movies-all-kids-should-watch-before-theyre-12

Reading

• http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/book-list/favorites-classics/13-books-kids-should-read-turning-13
• https://www.nypl.org/childrens100

Game Night

Slumber Party

• Invite her friends over for a night they'll never forget! Grab a few extra pillows, pop a bowl of popcorn, crank up the tunes, and celebrate friendship. As a child, I loved having my best friends over for mani/pedis and gossip. Be sure to snap lots of photos; these are memories she (and you) will cherish forever!

DIY projects

Beat Boredom on a Budget

•  https://www.buzzfeed.com/mikespohr/29-dollar-store-finds-that-will-keep-your-kids-busy-all-summ?bffb&utm_term=.qnOqoXk3g#.ulQKyPVv7

Outdoors:

Sprinklers

Pools ($-$$)

• http://www.tcpara.org/recreation/aquatics/outdoorpools

Sandbox

• https://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/outdoors/structures/how-to-build-a-sandbox

Swing Set or Local Park

Bike Riding

Water Gun or Balloon Fight

Squirt Gun Painting 

• https://www.firefliesandmudpies.com/squirt-gun-painting/

Lemonade Stand

Science Experiment Day

• 23 science projects kids love!
•  https://www.thisgrandmaisfun.com/23-science-projects-for-kids/

Bubble snakes

• http://onelittleproject.com/bubble-snakes/

Tie Dye

•  https://www.tiedyeyoursummer.com/techniques

Squirt Gun Obstacle Course 

• https://www.thisgrandmaisfun.com/squirt-gun-races/

Sidewalk Paint

•  https://thetiptoefairy.com/diy-sidewalk-foam-paint/

Outings:

Summer Snow

• 1501 University Blvd. E.
• Summer Snow is open 12:00 -7:00pm Monday - Saturday, closed Sunday

Birmingham Zoo ($$$)

• https://www.birminghamzoo.com/

Trampoline Park ($)

• http://www.upsurgetrampolinepark.com/

Monkey Joes ($)

• http://www.monkeyjoes.com/

Bowling ($)

• https://www.amf.com/location/amf-bama-lanes
• http://www.lelandlanes.com/

Alabama Adventure ($$$)

• http://www.alabamasplash.com/

Birmingham Barrons Baseball Game ($$)

• You can purchase family packs for as less than $18 a ticket! (includes food, drinks, hats, and wristbands)
• Click below for schedule and tickets!
• https://www.ticketreturn.com/prod2/team.asp?SponsorID=10156#.WueQiYjwbcs

 Atlanta Braves Baseball Game ($$$)

• The Braves offer great specials and packages as well as a kid’s club!
• Click below for schedule and tickets!
• https://www.mlb.com/braves/tickets/single-game-tickets?affiliateId=tdl-Atlanta_Braves-tickets-Atlanta_Braves:_Tickets:_Braves_Tickets-na-x0-Desktop-Landscape

IMAX Movie at the COBB Theater

• https://www.cobbtheatres.com/hollywood16.aspx

 See a Show at the BAMA Theater

• http://bamatheatre.org/

Golf at Ol’ Colony or The Links ($)

• For daily rates and membership options click the link below!
• http://www.tcpara.org/golf/membership
• http://www.linksattuscaloosagolf.com/membership

Lake Lurleen ($-$$)

• Camping
• Boating
• Fishing

 Rock Quarry ($$)

• Canoeing
  • $20 for 2 hours
  • $40 per day
• Kayaking
  • $20 for 2 hours
  • $40 per day
• Paddle Boards
  • $20 per hour 

PARA Parks ($)

• Jungle Gyms
• Dog Parks
• Running Tracks

Events:

During the summer months, most of the college age population vacates the town and leaves the locals with more road to travel and more things to do! Check out the River Walk and Market, the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater, CHOM, RISE, and the various museums around town for local things to do. For example, my friends and I love going to pick fresh produce from the Farmers Market at the River Walk. The vendors there can often be spotted talking to children about growing methods, differing fruits and veggies, and other fun topics. Plus, you’re supporting local farmers!

Check out this website for all things happening in Tuscaloosa.

http://visittuscaloosa.com/events/

Vacations:

Disney World ($$$$)

• https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/
• Traveling to Disney World can get expensive pretty quickly! Here are a few sites to check out if you're looking to pinch a few pennies!
• https://tipsforfamilytrips.com/florida/20-tips-for-doing-disney-on-a-budget/
• https://www.thesimpledollar.com/disney-on-a-budget-vs-demand-based-pricing/
• https://blog.cheapism.com/disney-on-a-budget-2017-15101/

Adventure in Chattanooga, TN ($$)

• Tennessee Aquarium
• Ruby Falls
• Rock City (Walking Trails)
• The Original MoonPie Store & Chattanooga Bakery

 Adventure in Atlanta, GA ($$)

• Georgia Aquarium
• World of Coca-Cola
• Six Flags Over Georgia
• Museums and Historical Attractions (Olympic Park, MLK historic site, college football hall of fame, art and history museums and more!)

 Adventure in Gatlinburg, TN ($$)

• Great Smokey Mountain National Park
• White Water Rafting
• Lots of quirky museums and attractions
• Ziplining

 Beach Getaway ($$$)

• Check Groupon for great deals and steals!
• Gulf Shores, AL
• Orange Beach, AL
• Panama City, FL
• Destin, FL
• Sarasota, FL 

Disney Cruise ($$$$) 

• https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/
• Disney Cruises are so. much. fun! There are things for kids of all ages and parents to do. Check out the link above for more information!

Road Trip Across the US ($$)

• Click below to explore the official travel site of the USA!
• This website will help you plan a perfect road trip for your family anywhere in the United States!
• https://www.visittheusa.com/USATrips