The hard part about summer for families is that there’s so much you can do and everyone wants to do something different.
Nearly every parent would say that finding summertime activities and vacation ideas that will entertain everyone in the family is impossible. Blame all of the different personalities and interests. But with a little effort and intention, you can plan a summer full of what your whole family will love.
Start with this list of five things you can do this summer that the whole family will find joy in.
Make Home a Summer Destination
It’s normal for people to want to get out and about during summer, enjoy the weather, go on outdoor adventures, and attend holiday festivals and events.
That said, there’s nothing wrong with enjoying summer from the comfort of your own home. Everyone has something there that they’re interested in and you can keep some money in your pocket by staying in.
The key is making home a summer destination. Start by sprucing up the decor in your home. Update the color scheme to something summery, like light blues, soft whites, light pinks, yellows, greens, and other bright colors.
After that, update your front or backyard. A big part of summer is spending time outside, even if it has to happen at your home.
Put some patio furniture out that accommodates the size of your family so everyone can be comfortable outside at the same time. Umbrellas and shades are a must for India’s hot and humid summer weather. A fountain and greenery will set the atmosphere as well.
Then, implement things that each person in your family enjoys. For instance, if your young children like swimming, a portable pool might be worthwhile. You can start a summer garden or set up a space for cricket or tennis for the older kids.
A summer full of activities for the whole family can start at home with a few simple upgrades.
Take the Fun to the Pool
We mentioned this above, but summer weather in India can be scorching and humid, sometimes to the point where going outside can be dangerous. But when it isn’t, and you want to go out with the family this summer, consider taking the fun to the pool.
Being by the water will help keep you cool. There are also plenty of family-friendly pool games and activities to engage in that will keep your family entertained. Here are a few to get you started:
- Play marco polo;
- Have noodle races;
- Try water aerobics;
- Have a competition swimming laps;
- Play water tag or follow the leader.
Make sure that everyone can swim and can safely play in the water. It’s also a good idea to find indoor pool options in case your family wants to go swimming but it’s just way too hot outside to do so in an outdoor pool.
Go On Local Day Trips
You may love it, but spending every day at home during the summer might make your spouse and children stir-crazy. You can get everyone out of the house with local day trips throughout the summer.
For example, India is one of the best wildlife destinations in the world. It has hundreds of wildlife sanctuaries and a significant litter of national parks and tiger reserves to choose from. Mountains, forests, and deserts house some of the most interesting species, including chital, tigers, and hundreds of bird species.
Going on safaris or visiting some of the many national parks can entertain the whole family because nature has so much to offer. Planning the outing together as a family will help ensure everyone has a good time.
Try a Beach Vacation
Going to the beach is one of the most popular summer activities around. And India has no shortage of incredible beaches to visit throughout the season, including Gokarna, Karnataka, and Minicoy, Lakshadweep.
Beach vacations or visits are perfect for families because they’re affordable and offer a wide range of activities to accommodate the interests of everyone, including swimming, boating, jet skis, building sand castles, sunbathing, and so forth.
If you can afford to, investing in a waterfront property along the beach may be worthwhile. You’ll always have a place to vacation in the summer. You can connect with nature and engage in watersports. You can also rent out the property when you’re not using it to bring in some extra cash.
Even if getting a waterfront property isn’t in the cards right now, you can always rent a vacation home at the beach you plan to visit.
Plan a Road Trip
Nothing screams summer activity for the whole family like a road trip. There is something about piling everyone into the car and taking on all that the open road has to offer.
It might be a bit of a hassle to get everyone on board. But planning the trip as a family can help. Your kids can pick out destinations they want to visit and activities they want to do. You can all pick the route together as well. Some of the best road trip destinations in India are:
- Rajasthan’s Color Cities;
- Chennai to Puducherry;
- Visakhapatnam to Araku Valley;
- India’s Golden Triangle (the loop from Delhi to Agra and Jaipur).
Get the logistics of your road trip down, particularly where you’ll be sleeping along the way. If you have an RV or van that your family can sleep in comfortably, camping at places like Chandratal Lake, Himachal Pradesh, might be a good option.
Otherwise, you’ll want to book reservations at hotels or Airbnbs along the way. Which option is better for you depends on your family’s needs and the budget you have. Hotels can sometimes be a better value than a short-term rental, in part because of the hidden fees associated with the costs.
There are many approaches you can take to create a dream summer vacation with your family. Get out there this summer and try activities everyone will love.
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