Summer is here! I love summer and I love having the kids home for the summer (for the most part!). It always takes us a little time to adjust to a summer routine and I work hard to make sure we (really me) maintain sanity while the kids are home every day in the summer.

We have a few end of the year traditions we do to help us welcome summer in. This has definitely become our favorite! After the huge success of Katherine’s birthday scavenger hunt, Matt and I decided to do a scavenger hunt to welcome in summer. The kids had to take turns reading the clues and then work together to try to figure out where each item was hidden either around the house and in our yard.

I won’t lie: It took a lot of team work on their part and a lot of reminders from us to give each other the patience to read the clues and solve them together. We loved watching them get excited to figure out the answers and then run off in search of their prizes.

HERE’S HOW YOU CAN MAKE YOUR OWN SCAVENGER HUNT:

Make a list of what disposable things you typically go through each summer. Some ideas are:

• Chalk
• Hula Hoop (this weighted one is great for sensory kids)
• Bubble Machine
• Bubbles
• Refill Bubble Station
• Jacks
• Wiffle Ball set
• Frisbee
• Flying Discs

Next make a list of where you wanted to hide the toys. Some of the places we used are:

• Swing Set
• Front Porch
• Picnic Table
• Hose
• Near Garage Door

Then decide what you want to hide where. Planning it out makes it easier and helps to make sure the scavenger hunt goes in the right order.

Last, make up clues for your locations. They can rhyme or just be descriptive. Make it as easy as possible for yourself!

You can get a copy of the clues I used by clicking below.

Click Here to Get Your Printable

Do you have any traditions or rituals you do to welcome summer?

xoxo

–k