This is a sponsored post on behalf of Mike and Ike. As always my opinions are 100% my own.

Summer is almost here! My kids start school break next week, so I am working overtime to come up with fun summer ideas that are simple yet memorable. I realized a few months ago when it came down to deciding about traveling this summer, that my children have spent too many summers constantly on the go. While these extravagant summers have been a huge blessing, I also want them to experience and appreciate the laid-back neighborhood fun activities that I remember so fondly from my childhood.

So, this summer we have cut our travel time down and we are going to enjoy the simpleness of summer without constant routines. I can’t wait to do things like eat candy at the park, have ice cream for dinner, enjoy late night swims, and flashlight tag.

First things first, I have been prepping like crazy at Walmart because I don’t want to shop with 3 kids in tow any more than is absolutely necessary. I have stocked up on pool floats, lawn chairs, beach towels, snacks, ice cream, and of course candy. Everyone who knows me knows I love chewy candy, I am known for snooping through my friend’s cabinets looking for a chewy treat, and even finding their kids Halloween stash after I’ve eaten through all my children’s chewy goodness. So, when I recently found out about the launch of MIKE AND IKE Mega Mix Sour I had to stock up. My kids also love sour candy so I am sure there will be a go-to treat all summer long.

Are you planning a simple summer this year too? Simplifying life seems to be a growing trend lately, so for me, this summer feels like the perfect time to just breath and enjoy each other. This is why I’ve been getting back to my roots and remembering all the best summer activities from my childhood and making a fun summer ideas bucket list to share with you.

8 Fun Summer Ideas

Outdoor Movie Nights; grab your lawn chairs, blow up some air mattresses or even use those giant pool floats as seats. Use a projector to display a movie onto your house and watch it under the stars! This is one of my favorite ways to spend summer nights.

Let the kids stay up late to go swimming; My other favorite way to spend summer nights is swimming under the stars. There is just something extra fun about swimming in the dark, I remember absolutely loving running outside in the pitch dark to swim with friends in the pool. We live in Florida now, so we have to check for gators before running into a dark pool, but all the laughs are still there to be had.

Spend the day at the local beach; We have already started having beach days and to my family, it has always signified the beginning of summer. Jumping waves, building sand castles, and eating on a blanket as you watch the ocean is one of the most relaxing ways to spend a summer day.

Ride your bikes to the local playground; We are lucky enough to have 2 playgrounds within a couple of miles of our house and it’s so much fun taking a ride to the park after an early dinner to watch the sun go down.

Explore a local town; during the hustle and bustle of the school year we rarely go out to just explore the towns around us. During the summer I want to park in a random spot in the local town centers and explore the different store and attractions and find some great new local family-friendly restaurants.

Play sports together; whether you like to throw around a football or kick a soccer ball towards the goal, pack a lunch and head to the field. Aidan loves shooting hoops out front, he could play basketball for hours on end, so I like to make lunches or bring snacks out front on the grass while we take turns playing and talking. Anthony prefers hitting balls at the driving range and Lilly could fish every day if I had the patience for it. All these simple sports, that you can play locally or in your own yard are great to do as a family and are a perfect way to make memories.

Get the neighborhood together; when I think back to my childhood, I remember running through everyone’s yard playing flashlight tag, building forts, playing hide and go seek, and just loving the outdoor fun while the parents enjoyed a nice cookout or chatting on a porch. I want more of this in my children’s summer! During the school year, they are only able to play outside for a couple of hours between homework, dinner, and baths. So they are looking forward to lots of unstructured outdoor time this summer.

Create an over the top Ice Cream Sundae Bar; better yet have ice cream for dinner! The days are longer and the sun is hotter so what better way is there to cool off than with an amazing build your own sundae bar? We created one last weekend filled with a variety of ice cream flavors, cookies, pretzels, toppings, and of course MIKE AND IKE Mega Mix Sour for a fun sour twist. We always love to mix the sour and the sweet!

Are you getting excited for a fun summer with the kids? I want to hear what your plans are, share your ideas with me! Also, have you tried the MIKE AND IKE Mega Mix Sour exclusively at most Walmart stores yet?