My family and I have made a pact: each week we will go somewhere outside of our suburb. We've looked online and planned some fun trips. Although summer hasn't officially started yet, we have already been to an interactive museum and the beach. I want my daughter to remember these trips when she is older. Thus, I have come up with some ideas on how to preserve her summer memories.
Sand in a Bottle
Since I live in Southern California, we go to the beach frequently. Thus, one idea I had was to take some sand from each beach we visit and put in into a glass bottle with a cork. From white sand to tarry sand, we have quite a variety. You can even take some sand from the sand box at a park you visit.
Scrapbook
The other day we came back from the Noah's Ark exhibit. My daughter still had her "ticket" sticker on her shirt. We took it off and stuck it to a piece of paper. Then, we put it on a summer memory page that can go in her scrapbook. Encourage kids to keep ticket stubs, restaurant napkins and receipts for a summer scrapbook.
Summer Journal
Purchase a notebook for your child and encourage him or her to record significant events and/or write down some thoughts about each day. A younger child could draw a picture and write a few words down. You could also make a notebook out of lined and construction paper.
Map It
Print out a map of the area you will be traveling around. It could be a map of the United States or a map of a state. If you won't be traveling far, find a map of your city. Then, mark each place you travel to with a sticker or dot.
Postcards
I always remember purchasing a postcard from vacation spots. Kids can write the date of their trip on the back and then keep the cards in a photo book. Another idea is for children to write themselves a letter and send it home.
Collage
Have kids pick out some of their favorite pictures from the summer and make into a collage. Children can mix in magazine photos of popsicles and sunscreen for a layered look. Place movie ticket stubs, museum brochures and any other tangible memory on the collage and then put it in a nice frame.
Years later, your kids can look back and remember all of their fun summers.
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