3 Ideas to Get Your Kids Out of the House and Burning Energy This Summer

This is a sponsored post in partnership with Stride Rite. All opinions are my own. 

Summertime causes numerous reactions among parents. Sometimes it's relief that school is over, sometimes it's terror, other times it's just sheer exhaustion at the very thought of summer vacation. No matter what reaction you had when your child burst through the doors of their school for the last time this school year, one thing is for sure. If you don't get your kids outside for awhile, your house won't be standing for another week.

Don't worry we've got you covered with some fun ideas. All you need to do is grab sunscreen for your kids, tasty snacks, water bottle, some comfortable shoes like Stride Rite Leepz, and get buckled up in the car for some fun!

1. Do a local playground crawl.
This will take a little planning but the idea is that you create a route to hit 3-5 local playgrounds in a row. Start in the morning when the weather is cool and spend about 20 minutes at each playground. Set a timer and when it reaches zero, everyone races to the car and then you hit the next stop on the tour. This way the kids get plenty of exercise and they don't get bored being at one place for too long. You can always cut the crawl short if the kids (or you) are getting tired.

2. Head to the local museums.
Most cities have science or history museums that sell memberships, season passes, or even have free days. We use these passes to the fullest extent. These places seriously don't make much money off of us because we are hauling our family there so much. One of our favorites is the Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. They have indoor exhibits, kids areas, and outdoor trails. Many museums also have special events throughout the summer. Make a note of the dates that will work with the age level of your kids.

3. Nighttime Race down the block. 
Everything is more fun when it's almost dark out, right? We have our kids strap on their Stride Rite Leepz because they light up with every step. It's not just a walk around the block, it's a nighttime race with flashing lights! Not only does this make it easier to get them excited about running around, the obvious benefit is that it helps them get rid of that last bit of energy before bedtime. It's a win-win.

I hope you have a fantastic summer and that your house is still standing by the end of it! Let me know which of the above tips that you try and what ideas of your own work like magic. To pick up a pair of Stride Rite Leepz, just head on over to www.striderite.com! They have great features like lighting up with every step, fixed laces so you never have to retie them, memory foam insole for comfort, and high rebound insoles.

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