Summer is officially here! This year, though, you might be worried that summer will look different than in years past. Swimming pools and water parks are either closed or very slow to reopen. There are cutbacks and cancellations at summer camps, and some family vacations have been postponed. 

So, what are you going to do to keep kids entertained? 

We’ve got a fun, tasty solution for you – decorating sweet treats at home! Ashley’s Pastries makes it easy to create your own creative, edible works of art thanks to our Decorating Kits.

You pick your base – cookies, cupcakes, donuts or a cake – and we provide all the necessary items. Each kit includes either cookies, cupcakes, donuts or a cake,  icing, sprinkles, and fun toppings for endless decorating options. 

Cookie and donut decorating kits are $15 each. Cupcake kits are $18 each. Cake decorating kits are $20 each. 

This is a great project for a rainy afternoon or a hot day when you’re looking for a fun activity to do indoors. Not only will the kids be entertained, but you get to enjoy the deliciousness at the end!

Because we prep the kits ahead of time for you, give us a call (937-293-1719) to place an order. We will have it ready for you to swing by and pick up, or we can make it really easy and offer curbside delivery. You can load the kids for a quick car ride but don’t have to worry about them going inside. 

Need more ideas to help beat boredom this summer? Take a deep breath and know you’ve got this, even on those days when siblings are bickering, the laundry is piling up and everyone is going a bit stir-crazy. Here are a few ideas to help. 

Boredom Busters
When we’re used to being able to go-go-go, being forced to slow down for the summer isn’t always easy. Do your best to limit screen time and try a few of these to help keep boredom at bay.

  • Bust out the board games. Try classics like Monopoly, Scrabble or Scattergories.
  • Put together a puzzle. Set it up in a spot where you can work on it throughout the day and/or week if needed. Get the whole family to help.
  • Build a fort out of blankets and pillows. Bonus: let the kids sleep there!
  • Create an obstacle course inside or out!
  • Play card games: Rummy 500 (or 5000), War or Go Fish. 
  • Build that complicated LEGO set. 
  • Make homemade playdough. 
  • If you have the supplies, make jewelry like friendship bracelets or necklaces.
  • Paint.
  • Let kids make their own books. Have them create a cover, title page and fill the blank pages with their own fun stories.
  • Color, color, color.
  • Write a card or draw a picture for a neighbor. 
  • Draw comic strips.
  • Sort blocks or Hot Wheel cars by color. 
  • Read books together. This is a great time to try a chapter book if your kids are old enough. 

Life Skills Learning
Summer can be a great opportunity to teach important life skills to your kids. After all, not all learning has to be about what you learn from a book. 

  • Teach them how to follow a recipe from start to finish.
  • Teach them how to do laundry. If they’re old enough, show them how to run the washer and dryer. Younger kids can help fold. Toddlers can help match socks. 
  • Have kids load and unload the dishwasher.
  • Show young kids how to set the table.
  • Teach your tweens and teens how to balance a checkbook.
  • Show your kids how to set up a budget. 
  • Roll change from a piggy bank.
  • Teach young students how to set up a Google doc. Then have them write a note to a family member and share it. 
  • Teach young kids basic (and age appropriate) kitchen skills: how to fry an egg, cook pasta, slice fruits and veggies, decorate cookies.
  • If you have supplies, work on a project together: paint a room, show them how to fix the leaky faucet or how to check fluid levels in the car. 
  • Have them help organize a space: their closet, the playroom or basement, the pantry or the garage. (Or maybe all of the above!)

Fresh Air Fun
Getting outside is good for all of us and there’s plenty to do in the fresh air. Bonus for incorporating learning opportunities without kids realizing it!

  • Make a list of objects to find (heart-shaped rock, giant leaf, wild flower) and send kids on a scavenger hunt. 
  • Go exploring in the woods.
  • Take a hike.
  • Grab a magnifying glass and go exploring at a creek. 
  • Have kids draw a map of the neighborhood and use a compass to follow directions.
  • Play hopscotch.
  • Go on a bike ride.
  • Take a walk. Try a route in the neighborhood you’ve never walked before. 
  • Break out the sidewalk chalk. Try writing sight words or math problems in the driveway. 
  • Play hide-and-seek.
  • Run laps around the house. 
  • Do some jumping jacks. 
  • Walk the dog. If you don’t have a dog, offer to walk an elderly neighbor’s dog. 
  • Dig for worms.
  • Splash in puddles on a rainy day. 
  • Jump rope. 
  • Shoot hoops. 
  • Play soccer. 
  • Toss the baseball.

No matter how you choose you spend your days, we hope you have a safe, healthy, happy summer!