Renting a cottage or visiting a friend's this summer? Your kids will love it. Keeping them entertained should be pretty easy—it just takes a bit of planning. Here are some ideas.
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If you'll be spending any time at a cottage this summer—maybe you're renting one for a week as your summer vacation, or visiting a friend or family member's cottage—then you may be wondering what to do to keep your kids entertained 24/7, since their regular toys and activities might not be available. Here are 12 ideas for fun things to do with your kids at the cottage.
Look for the old standards, like bugs, leaves and rocks, but throw in some fun challenges, like "sticks shaped like a Y" or "two rocks of similar shape and size."
Have older kids draw a map of the property or area and take a nice hike, following the map. Bring along some snacks and water as a way to break up the hike midway through (and extend the activity!).
Assuming there's a nearby lake, bring along plenty of shovels and buckets of various sizes for building castles and digging out moats. Kick around a beach ball, then play hopscotch and tic-tac-toe in the sand.
Even if rain isn't in the forecast, it's safe assume you'll need several indoor activities, so make sure to have some playdough (here's how to make your own), construction paper and crayons on hand. Older kids will enjoy board games, card games, puzzles and making friendship bracelets (check out this tutorial!). Or try one of these crafts made from recyclable materials.
Have the kids blow, catch and pop bubbles. Bring supplies to make a DIY giant bubble maker, like the project outlined here.
There's usually at least one not too far from most cottage areas.
Collect a dozen rocks, then decorate them! If you want to be extra fancy, offer your kids not just paint but also other materials like googly eyes, stickers and pipe cleaners.
Some cottages don't have internet access but many have a TV and a DVD player. Kids can get legit burnt out from the sun, so although the whole point of the cottage is to get away from screens and technology, consider allowing a movie here or there.
Even if there's a beach and lake, an inflatable pool is a safe spot for babies and toddlers to hang out in. It's always less stressful when they're contained!
Bring something along that plays music and bust a move! Even better, have your dance party once the sun's gone down. Let kids wear glow necklaces and shine flashlights.
If you get a windy day, teach your kids the right way to fly a kite (click here for instructions). The beach is actually the ideal spot, since there shouldn't be many trees or structures around.
Kidding! (Sort of.)
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