From beach vacations to amusement parks and everything in between, there’s nothing quite like hitting the open road in the summer. But what about the downtime between those excursions to far-off places? There’s no reason that hanging at home base has to be boring. All it takes is a little bit of creativity to create summer memories without ever leaving home.
Get Crafty
Summer is one of the best times for crafts. The warm outdoor weather is perfect for those crafts that are super messy and better done outside. Here are a few outdoor craft projects that will allow kids to tap into their artistic spirit.
Tie-dye: Shirts, shorts, shoes, tote bags – you can tie-dye just about anything! Many craft stores sell tie-dye kits, and this project is incredibly DIY-friendly, with some rubber bands and the colored dyes of your choice.
Splatter painting: Just about every kid loves splatter painting because it allows them to get as messy as they want. All you’ll need is a large piece of poster board, some acrylic paint, and a few popsicle sticks.
Watermelon slime: It’s slippery, it’s slimy, and kids totally love it! You’ll definitely want to do this craft in the backyard as it’s incredibly messy, but some glue, liquid starch, watermelon, and black beans are all that’s needed for this wildcraft project that’s sure to be a hit.
Backyard Camping
Central Texas has some fantastic parks, but you don’t have to pack up the car and leave home to enjoy nature in Dripping Springs. Sleeping under the stars in the backyard is a great family activity. It’s also a good camping introduction for small children who may not be entirely ready for an overnight stay in the woods.
Not only is it less hassle than backcountry camping (after all, the comfort of home is only steps away), but it can provide a chance for families to unplug, enjoy nature, and spend quality time together.
Be sure to set your tent up while there’s still plenty of sunlight, bring along some tasty snacks, and of course, don’t forget the flashlight.
Water Balloon Mayhem
A garden hose and a pack of water balloons are all that’s needed for a few hours of wet and wild fun in the summer months. If you really want to up the fun factor, toss a couple of super-soaker guns and a slip ‘n slide into the mix, and you’ve basically got a waterpark in your own backyard.
And nothing satisfies after a summer water balloon war quite like a refreshing popsicle. Many store-bought popsicles are high in sugar, but it’s incredibly easy to make healthy and delicious popsicles at home, and kids will love creating their own flavors.
Summer is one of our favorite seasons in Dripping Springs! The Springs splash pad is open near the Hall and is the perfect spot for Caliterra residents to cool off on a hot summer day. If you’d like to find a home here, reach out to us to learn more about our home builders and all that the Caliterra master-planned community has to offer.
