I’ve got a summer challenge for you, parents.
Summer break is coming up, and I’ve been thinking about how to keep my kids occupied and have some family fun.
We’ll go on some family outings – but what about those days when we’re trying not to spend money? (Or, introvert says, leave the house?)
And by the way…I’ve really been meaning to declutter our toys.
Let’s wrap all of those goals up into one big activity, and turn it into a trackable goal to boot.
Ready?
It’s the Use-Your-Stuff Summer challenge!
I’m guessing I’m not the only parent with cabinets full of board games and puzzles, boxes of craft supplies, toys that have barely been used since Christmas, and outdoor gear hanging out in the garage.
This summer, I’m creating a structure that will help my family use our stuff. First, we’ll make a list of everything we want to use, or use up. Then we’ll create a fun way for the kids to get excited about the “Activity of the Day” to work through your list.
I’m so excited to embark on the Use-Your-Stuff Summer Challenge! I hope you’ll join me.
Why You Should Do the Use-Your-Stuff Summer Challenge
Here’s why I’m so excited about this challenge:
- It’s free – many families are tightening up budgets right now, and everyone could use some frugal fun. See also our 101 ideas for free and cheap things to do at home in the summer.
- It helps us avoid spending money on other activities by keeping us busy with stuff that’s already paid for.
- It will help us declutter – more on this below, but I expect to declutter items at two stages: the first when looking through our home and noticing items we will get rid of before starting the challenge, and the second during/after using items.
- It decreases waste by focusing us on the items we already have rather than acquiring new things.
- It gives a focal point to otherwise structureless summer days.
- You can do it with anyone – bring the kids’ friends into the fun!
How to Do the Use-Your-Stuff Summer Challenge
Okay, so how does this challenge actually work? Let’s go through step-by-step.
Step 1: Make a list of your stuff
First, make a list of all the stuff you’re hoping to use. Everyone’s list will be unique, it all depends on what your household has accumulated.
As a starting point, check these categories:
- Board games
- Puzzles
- Craft kits – for example, we have one for sock puppets and another for fairy potions that still have supplies left.
- Craft supplies – for example, pony beads, perler beads, watercolor paints, pipe cleaners, pom poms, etc. Also include miscellaneous items that can be repurposed as craft items, like cardboard boxes, paper towel tubes, etc.
- Sensory items – play-doh, kinetic sand, or my nemesis, slimy sand.
- Activity kits – those things that aren’t exactly crafts, like science kits or other activities. We have an open one from a Christmas gift to dig for gemstones.
- Activity books, puzzle books, etc.
- Toys – you could include things your kids use often if you like, but you may also have forgotten toys at the back of the closet that need some love. Dress-up clothes, dolls, play kitchens, musical instruments, etc.
- Sports equipment and outdoor toys – soccer balls, stomp rockets, water guns, sparklers, hula hoops, kites, bubbles, water tables, slip n’ slides, etc.
- Self care items – nail polish, bath bombs, face masks, etc.
- Food items – I’m thinking gingerbread house kits you never got around to, but maybe you have cupcake mix or other novelty cooking kits with no specific plan to use them.
While you’re going through your home to make your list, you can keep an eye out for items you won’t use at all and get rid of them now. For example, items that are clearly too young for your children can be set aside to donate or gift in your Buy Nothing group. Or if you find things that are broken, unusable such as dried out play-doh or stale baking supplies, empty containers, etc., then just throw them away.
Step 2: Create your Activity of the Day spot
When summer comes, we’re going to have an “Activity of the Day” to use up our items. Near the end, we’ll probably have some repeats. To give you an idea of how many items that entails, including weekends, my kids will be on summer break for 67 days. Without weekends, that’s 52 days.
I have a large opaque bin that will be our “Activity of the Day” bin. I have a reminder on my phone every night at 8:30 PM to switch out the activity. The next day, my kids will get to open it at a specific time and do the activity. I’m hoping for this to be after lunch to get ahead of the afternoon slump, but if they are excited, it may be in the morning when we get home from swim team practice.
Step 3: Enjoy the activities!
I can’t wait to share our challenge with my kids when summer break starts!
We’re going to include a sheet on our Activity of the Day bin to track what we do each day, which I expect my 7-year-old to be very interested in filling out.
Throughout the summer, as we use our items, I will continue to declutter and donate items they weren’t very interested in, and trash things that are “used up” after being the highlighted activity. But I also expect this process of rediscovery to bring some items into regular rotation, which is great.
Additions to and variations on the Use-Your-Stuff Summer Challenge
Be sure to make the challenge your own. Here are some ideas to mix it up:
- Include a “job of the day” or “chore of the day” component. You could write it down on top of the box, and the job (such as putting laundry away, cleaning a bathroom, weeding, etc.) must be completed before you do the activity together.
- Have a list of items and have the kids choose, more like a bucket list, instead of pre-selecting the item of the day.
- Include gift cards or vouchers for free activities as activities on your list, if you have any that you haven’t used. Don’t forget that this can Include library summer reading vouchers. My library’s summer reading program offers coupons including free tickets to sporting events, a free entry to the rec center, free desserts at local chains, and a free book at a local bookstore.
- Invite friends over for a crafting day to use up your craft supplies.
- Host a swap for board games, toys, puzzles, etc. and invite friends and neighbors.
So let’s do it! Will you join me for the Use-Your-Stuff Summer Challenge?
