By Brittanie A.
School is out, and summer is in! There are so many possibilities, and my goal was to ensure a memorable and fun summer break! The plan? A little bit of structure, a whole lot of pool time, and can’t forget the popsicles. First, I took the time to learn the children’s interests and see what they would most want to do. With a six- and 10-year-old, there were so many adventures to be had! I made sure this was a summer they would never forget.
These kids loved to craft! Everything from LEGO rocket ships to cities made out of cardboard—their imaginations were always running wild! I loved joining in and helping them create their hearts’ desires. We made everything from vases made from cardboard with flowers from our nature walks, fairy houses with candy gardens, spacecrafts to explore Mars, and boats to voyage through the rainforest. They loved sewing costumes and creating songs and dances! Bracelet making, drawing contests, and coloring pages were our jam.
Get outside! Nothing beats enjoying some summer sun and soaking up all the vitamin D we can. Going to the pool was definitely a daily occurrence. They loved making up their own games and finding new friends along the way! We would spend hours going down the waterslides and “scuba diving to lost cities underwater.” They even became more confident swimmers by the end of summer—a win-win!
Oh, the places you’ll go! We were always on the move; the kids frequented the library all summer long. We made sure to get our summer reading on! Sometimes we’d spend hours there just reading, coloring, doing scavenger hunts, playing educational games on the computers, and giving them some quiet time. A really cool place to go if your kids love books is The Rabbit Hole. It is full of interactive exhibits with all their favorite children’s book characters.
Science City is one of those places you never run out of things to do! It’s full of fun and learning for all ages—the kids never wanted to leave! We made countless trips to the zoo and aquarium, learning about animals and their habitats and seeing our favorite creatures. Nothing beats the experience of going to the movie theater! Between popcorn and slushies while watching fan favorites like “Lilo and Stitch” or “Elio,” the kids were always ecstatic on movie day! Art fans? History buffs? The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is the place to go! And guess what? Admission is free.
The kids had plenty of extracurriculars and sports to keep them busy this summer! Between tutoring, swim lessons, softball, and cheerleading, we were always on the go, making sure they were ready to do their best at each activity. We would practice at home for fun and also provide extra support as needed. They loved doing at-home yoga or gymnastics on the trampoline, which was a great time for all of us. Having fashion shows and becoming makeup artists were some of my personal favorites as well.
Overall, the kids and I had a blast this summer! They showed me so many fun things to do and gave me so many new ideas. I learned that routines are important, yes, but so is flexibility. Often, the unplanned, spontaneous days were the best ones! The small gestures matter too. When I would bring something special because it made me think of them, it really lit up their day. I am so grateful they accepted me into their family, and I am so grateful for all the memories we made together this summer!
Ready for Summer Fun in Kansas City?
Brittanie is one of many awesome nannies at Jovie of Kansas City. Whether you’re looking for someone triutworthy and fun to lend a hand with childcare this summer or seeking a rewarding job as a nanny, we’d love to talk to you! Reach out to Jovie of Greater Kansas City today to find the perfect summer nanny for your family.
