Going out-of-doors to draw a nature study can be very inspiring.

 •  Keep your studies as simple as possible: one leaf, one flower, one pine cone, one branch, etc.

 •  Start by drawing each object lightly with a colored pencil.  Then squint your eyes to see how many colors you see in the object.

 •  Place those colored pencils in your hand as a reminder, and then start placing a lot of color into your drawing.

by Barry Stebbing, author of How Great Thou Art instruction materials.

Summer provides more time for art and craft projects.  Take some projects outdoors, especially the messy ones.

 •  Learn a new art or craft.

 •  Compile a list of gifts you would like to make and check them off as you go.

 •  Christian curriculum for art education including the fundamentals of drawing, painting, color theory, and art appreciation from How Great Thou Art.

 •  Arts and crafts ideas from Crayola using crayons, chalk, paper, scissors, glue, colored pencils, water or acrylic paint, finger paint, sidewalk chalk, clay, play dough, markers, etc., plus lesson plans.

 •  Arts and crafts projects and crafts using materials found around the house.

 •  Make your own play dough, molding clay, paste, silly putty, and more.

Check with your local newspaper for a list of free outdoor performances such as concerts, plays, historic reenactments, and zoo exhibits.

This is a great opportunity to introduce children to cultural events that would otherwise be too expensive or too long for them to sit through.

 •  Take sleeping bags or folding chairs to sit on and snacks that are not messy or complicated to serve.

 •  Introduce your children to the main plot and background of a play or opera before attending so they can follow it better and get more out of it.

Read a book or the Bible outside – in your yard in the cool of the evening or on an outing – as a family together.

Wonder together as a family at God's mighty universe!

 •  Begin with a good daily or weekly skywatching guide or star map so that you know what to look for.

 •  Pick a good viewing spot: your back yard or out away from city lights.

The next meteor shower is the Perseids on August 12.  The shower peaks early afternoon on the 12th, so the morning of the 12th (midnight to dawn) and late evening are the best times to watch from the U.S.

 •  View on a night without moonlight, so you can see meteors, the Milky Way, and more stars.

 •  Start with just your eyes to appreciate the expansive beauty of the entire night sky.

 •  Add a quality pair of binoculars. They are inexpensive, portable, provide a balance between magnification and light-gathering power, as well as enabling you to find your target better.

 •  Learn about the differences in telescope features before selecting a telescope.

 •  Use a reclining chair or lie on a sleeping bag.

 •  Get lots more tips for becoming a stargazer and look for an observatory with public access in your area.

If your family gets really interested in the stars, consider using a unit study based on astronomy.

See Classical Astronomy's website for information, free newsletter signup, and a Christian homeschool astronomy curriculum, Signs & Seasons.

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Ask your family, "Where do we want to go before summer is over?"

 •  Plan dates and put it on your calendar, or this winter you may wonder why you didn't get to the beach, park, mountains, etc. this summer!

 •  Take your binoculars and field guides for bird, flower, and plant identification, as well as creation science guides.

If you family isn't able to, or doesn't enjoy camping in the "wilderness," set up tents in your backyard – or sleep under the stars (combine with star gazing).  If you want to go back to your own beds in the middle of the night – no problem.

If possible, go to fields together for you-pick produce (peaches are easy and fast to pick); then freeze, make jam, or dry.

 •  Freeze whole berries by spreading on trays in your freezer. Transfer to airtight freezer bags when frozen and remove air before closing.  (Placing the bag in water just below the top of the bag, squeezes out air.)

Frozen berries are perfect to add in a blender smoothie (1 cup milk or yogurt plus one serving of frozen fruit) all year long!

 •  Make freezer jam (our family's favorite).  Try the low-sugar or honey recipes.

 •  Dry berries or fruit to use in cereal, trail mix, or scones.

Don't forget to savor plenty of these delicious gifts from God, fresh, while they last!

One of the nicest things you and/or your children can do to help neighbors or church members who are elderly, busy, or physically challenged, is to mow their lawns.

 •  Read "How to Mow, Edge and Trim a Lawn" and view a short video on "How to Mow Like a Professional Landscaper."

 •  Read "Tips to Keep Kids Safe from Lawn Mower Injuries"

 •  Your family or older child might also want to start a lawn care business (more information).

Be sure to use proper protection if any spraying is done.

Your family can wash your car, play in the water, and cool down at the same time!

Review "How To Wash a Car" and "How to Keep Your Car Clean and Orderly" (interior).

You might also volunteer to wash the cars of neighbors or church members who are elderly, busy, or physically challenged.

In most communities, organizations and events bring people together to clean up roads, rivers, beaches, etc.

 •  Check with your local newspaper to find an opportunity in your area.

 •  Observe safety measures when working along roads or picking up potentially hazardous materials.

 •  Volunteer as a family or as a church or support group.

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See more than 100 outdoor games, summer games, and water games.

Buy extra large containers of bubble solution or make your own.

 •  See more recipes, instructions, and explanations.

 •  You can blow bubbles through a wand or use various things to make bubbles.

 •  Learn all about the science of bubbles, e.g., bubbles do best when humidity is 30% or greater.

A Frisbee (also called a flying disc) is something that your whole family can have fun throwing in your own backyard or a park.

 •  Always keep a Frisbee available in your car.

 •  Learn the basic throws and catches.

 •  Learn how to play the team sport Ultimate Frisbee.

 •  Find a Disc Golf course and learn how to play.

 •  Divide into teams or partners.

 •  Provide a list of items to find.
Items can be randomly chosen or based on a theme, such as the following printable lists suggest (cross off items you don't want or add others):

 •  See more hunts and suggestions.

 •  Set a time limit.
The team that finds the most items by the end of the time limit, or that finds all of the items first, wins!

 •  For safety, children should not leave your own property unless with an adult (e.g., in the neighborhood or at a park).

 •  Don't follow the frequent scavenger-hunt practice of taking or borrowing items from others.

 •  Don't pick vegetation on public, or others' private, property.

 •  Include some chores in a family scavenger hunt.

 •  Include items you have lost and need to find.

 •  Instead of collecting items, photograph, tape record, or draw them.

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Enjoy eating your regular meals in your own yard on folding tables or blankets, as well as special picnics in parks and places of interest this summer.

 •  Simplify your picnic menu to a few healthy finger foods (e.g. sandwiches, fruit, water, and dessert).

 •  Keep a few items on hand for a spontaneous picnic or stop by the deli for some ready-made items.

 •  Have a checklist and a picnic basket or box supplied and ready to go.

 •  Assign each child one task to get the picnic ready each time.

A tea is a special treat to prepare for your family and friends.  It can be simple or elaborate, served as a lunch, an afternoon tea, or even a party.  It is especially nice to take tea outside on the lawn in summertime.

 •  Start with a pot of tea!

 •  Instead of your best tablecloths and dishes, use something nice that is less likely to get ruined outside.

 •  Add fresh flowers.

 •  Make a variety of small tea sandwiches.

 •  Accompany with fresh fruit.

 •  Serve scones with whipped or clotted cream and jam.

 •  Finish with a selection of dainty desserts.

 •  See more recipes and ideas.

"Tea and Hospitality" is a home school unit study based on the topic of tea.

Making homemade ice cream together is a family memory shared by many generations.

 •  Buy an ice cream maker or use your freezer.

 •  Ingredients can include cream, milk, or yogurt; sugar or honey; plus flavorings and/or fresh, seasonal fruit.

 •  See many ice cream recipes, many unusual recipes, 460 recipes, 557 recipes.

A traditional summer neighborhood activity is a block party.

 •  Invite people on your block with written invitations.

 •  Someone with a large yard may offer to host a BBQ or potluck picnic, or you could go to a local park.

 •  Have everyone bring food, paper plates, cups, and plasticware, as well as folding tables and chairs if needed.

 •  Visiting and getting acquainted is the main objective, but games (see above) help break the ice and occupy children, as can churning homemade ice cream.

Advantages of being acquainted with your neighbors are:

 •  Safety of persons and property as you look out for each other. Exchange a (confidential) list of names and phone numbers for use in emergencies. You might even consider forming a neighborhood watch.

 •  Evangelism opportunities (see below).

 •  Hosting a children's 5-day club or starting an ongoing weekly children's Bible club.

 •  Inviting a family to a BBQ, dinner, or afternoon tea in your backyard where you can talk about your life and testimony in a conversational manner.

 •  Leading a ladies or couples Bible study.