How to Survive Life in the Suburbs

10 Things To Do With Your Kids At The Cottage

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You’ve planned for it, saved for it and it’s finally here.  The coveted week away at the cottage.  Now as you sit on the dock, finally starting to relax and truly ready to soak up all that “cottagey” goodness what is it that you hear?  Some wee one whining that they are BORED!  Blasphemy.  Not cool.  Here are 10 out of the box ideas to help keep those kiddos entertained so you can actually enjoy your vacation.

  1.  Plan a “Nature Scavenger” hunt.  Think things like a nibbled on leaf, a smooth rock, a pinecone, and something fuzzy.
  2. Assign some chores!  You read that right.  Little ones can help by creating some trail mix, or being in charge of drinks for the day.  Older one’s can be made Chef!  Teens can be given a meal (or two) to be in charge of.  Everything from cooking to cleaning up afterwards.  After all, it’s your vacation too.
  3. Pack some “surprise” toys.  Toys your little people haven’t seen before – and have them on hand in case of rainy days.
  4. Get creative with the crafts.  Taking painting to a whole new level by incorporating nature into your artwork.  Paint rocks, turn sticks into Harry Potter Wands,
  5. Build a fort.  An epic fort.  Using clothes lines, towels and sheets create a fort like no other.  This is also a great way to provide your little people a break from the sun.
  6. Take indoor toys, and make them outdoor doors.  That kitchen set is so much more fun beach side.  Your little people will “cook”, create and play for hours.
  7. Stock up on water toys.  The best thing about the cottage is the lake, why not make the most of it?  Don’t forget your life jackets, pool noodles, floats, squirt guns, and even remote control boats!
  8. Explore the closest town.  Beat the heat and shake off the cabin blues by making a run into to town for supplies, a tour of small town living, and if you’re lucky, maybe some ice cream.
  9. Cook your dinner over a campfire.  Gather the fam, your very best BBQ tools, and all the fixings for Hot Dogs, a cottage classic.  Enjoy the warmth of the fire, and that unmatchable bonfire smell as you soak up every moment of that much deserved family time.
  10. Have a S’more making competition.  You provide the ingredients, graham crackers, marshmallows, smarties, Aero Bars, Dairy Milk Bars, Froot Loops, Rice Krispy Squares?  The sky is the limit -your kids add the creativity.  Who can make the best tasting s’more?

Busy kids are happy kids and happy kids make a happy Mom.  Wishing all of you busy kids and fabulous vacations this summer!

Happy travels!

Mwah

    • Comments

    1. This is perfect! We’re heading up to the cottage soon and I was just starting to think about what we can do up there. Thanks for the suggestions!

    2. There is so much to do outdoors at the cottage! These are great ideas and the S’more making competition is not only fun but delicious!

    3. That house is beautiful, it hardly qualifies as a cottage to my way of thinking. I enjoyed your list of things to do, lots of good ideas. We always like playing cards when I go camping with my daughter and family and I’m looking forward to our next outing very soon.

    4. Great ideas! Love the scavenger hunt idea & visiting a small town is always fun! Sounds like you have a wonderful time at the cottage!

    6. Great ideas! Having a S’more making competition or cooking dinner over a campfire sound like so much fun.

    7. When we had a cottage it was great weekly activity for our daughter. It was nothing for her to bring a friend or two. They swam, hiked, were creative, and ate me out of cottage and home. (not complaining)

    8. I really like #2. Assign chores! This will help me keep my sanity while the kids are off school. Also it gives them a sense of responsibility. Win:Win!

    9. Oh, there are so many fun inexpensive things to do at the cottage. Relax and enjoy the sun and water.

    11. If they have phones, there’s an app call Goose Chase where you can set up a scavenger hunt – and take photos and have fun along the way!

    12. I love these ideas. It’s great if you can get them to disconnect & enjoy nature. I know those are memories I enjoyed with my parents the most.