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.
- Plan a “Nature Scavenger” hunt. Think things like a nibbled on leaf, a smooth rock, a pinecone, and something fuzzy.
- 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.
- Pack some “surprise” toys. Toys your little people haven’t seen before – and have them on hand in case of rainy days.
- 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,
- 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.
- 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.
- 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!
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
Thanks very much for the great ideas for keeping the kiddos busy, we’re always looking for new ways to have fun with our grandson.
LOVE the idea of the smore’s competition! we just made some fun ones camping by putting chocolate and marshmellows in waffle cones and cooking them over the fire!
We love doing scavenger hunts and nature crafts when we go camping. So fun and keeps them busy! Thanks for the great suggestions! 🙂
Scavenger hunts are so fun, great memories of those as a kid! And campfire dinners are a must. So many cool ideas for cooking over the fire & getting back to nature.
All of these are fun things to do at the cottage with the kids. I love the idea for a nature scavenger hunt and the one about building a fort. Very cool ideas to keep them busy.
We try and do this with our granddaughter. She loves to garden.
Lots of great suggestions. We have a cottage and friends and family frequent it/ Always nice to try something different or new!
I love the nature scavenger idea. This is what I would like to do with my kids at the cottage.
There is nothing better than allowing your kids some freedom and independence to just explore and be kids; run wild on vacation! Great tips!
I love the idea of cooking dinner over a campfire. We love camping but usually use a portable grill!
These are great ideas. We already do some of them, but the rest will help keep them busy.
The cottage is the perfect place to relax with some fun crafts!
All are great ideas and sounds fun. Reminds me when my kids were young and we would go camping or to the lake house for the weekends. Lots of fun things to do. Luv the smores making competition. 🙂
I am definitely going to try the s’mores making competition with my nieces this summer . They would love that !!!
Thanks for all the ideas they will come in handy with the grandchildren.