How many times do your kids come home from summer camp without their water bottle? Sunscreen? Hat? Mine manage to lose theirs about a GAZILLION times each season (seriously, I’ve counted). Since we are about a month into our summer break over here, I thought it would be a good idea to share some summer camp tips that are keeping us organized this year:

1. A good backpack with lots of pockets. By the end of the school year, my kiddos’ backpacks look like a science experiment. So we always end up getting something new for summer. I like to pick a medium-sized backpack that has lots and lots of pockets inside to help hold and organize the gear. It The STATE backpack from Nod are just that! It easily holds a lunchbox, swim gear, towel, water bottle, and miscellaneous (un)necessary items (like the joke book that just HAS to go to camp). Plus, it’s named the Kane.

2. An organizing checklist. This doesn’t need to be elaborate — I simply write down whatever is going to camp on a small piece of paper. I put one up in the kitchen so the kids can help pack their own bags in the morning and one in the outside pocket of their backpack to check before they come home at the end of the day. Easy peasy.

3. A good ‘ol sharpie. There are lots of fancy custom labels out there for your kids’ stuff, but I always find a permanent marker to do the trick. I love that Nod’s bags have a label inside where you can write your child’s name too.

4. A medium-sized lunchbox. Our kids get their lunch at school during the year, so I always dread making lunches in the summer. While they are both adventurous eaters, I’ve found it best to keep things simple for summer camp lunch — otherwise, a lunchbox full of food comes back home. I usually designate each day of the week something in particular and then keep that schedule each week. Quesadillas one day, pasta and a protein another, etc. A fruit and a veggie both go in. And then a tiny sweet they must save until the end. The zippered pocket Nod’s lunch boxes are perfect for that!

5. Incentive! Well, maybe it’s actually a disincentive? Either way, I give my kids a few free passes at losing items and then they have to replace them with money from their own allowance. They are old enough to keep track of their things and that helps a ton! For the smaller set, maybe create a real incentive for bringing their items home all summer: a trip for ice cream, an outing together, etc.

So that’s what has worked for us so far — how about everyone else!? Let us know your best summer camp tips!

POST BY REBECCA OF NOT-SO-SAHM

Rebecca is a mom to two young kiddos and, in her spare time (ha!), likes to pretend she’s a back-up dancer, craft cocktails, and run long distances. A relatively recent SAHM, she blogs family-friendly activities, DIYs and celebration fun at Not-So-SAHM.

Looking for a cool treat that’s sweet, healthy and easy to prepare? Learn how to make watermelon popsicles, the perfect treat for you and your kiddos to enjoy on a hot summer day.

Supplies

• A Seedless Watermelon
• Popsicle Sticks

Directions

1. Cut a small slice from the top and bottom of the watermelon, then carefully stand upright, and slice around the edges to remove all of the white flesh and rinds.
2. Cut the watermelon into one-inch rounds then cut the rounds into triangles or use a cookie cutter for the desired shape.
   
3. Place the soon-to-be pops on a parchment-lined cookie sheet or plate and insert popsicle sticks halfway.
4. Let freeze for 6 or more hours. If not eating immediately, place pops flat, in a large plastic bag. These will save for two weeks.

Special thank you to DC Food contributor Caroline’s Kitchen Table for the recipe

Enjoy!

xo,
Doreen

Doreen Corrigan is the voice behind her lifestyle blog devoted to celebrating the “Art of Living.” Doreen believes even the ordinary can be made extraordinary and is passionate about Entertaining, Home Decor, and Fashion. Doreen and her husband Jim, are the proud parents of 4 year old twins. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Yeehaw! Summer is here for us! After a long very full school year, we are ready to kick our heels up a bit and relax. Well, sort of. The kids and I actually love to use the summer break to get after all kinds of projects and activities (we just put up our annual Summer Bucket List, actually). One big advantage of having slightly older kids is the ability to just pick up and go without having to prepare a big diaper or snack bag. BUT, after getting a few summer breaks under our belt, I know that the easiest way to explore during the summer is by making sure I stock our car with a Kids Travel Kit.

From short jaunts around town to longer road trips, packing a travel kit helps make for a smoother ride. I always start by picking a new container each summer. The Land of Nod’s Indoor/Outdoor Tote is a great mix between a bag and a storage container — it’s durable, easy to clean, and has carrying handles. Plus it fits perfectly between our kids’ bucket seats so they can take out and put items away themselves.

I then stock the travel kit with several different activities to occupy the kiddos (and I change the items every few weeks or so). I usually pack a few travel games (like Nod’s magnetic hangman and mini pinball); books, some art supplies, including a sketchbook for each child (I love these notebooks from OOLY), colored pencils, fun markers, and a few novelty items like color-in washi tape or stickers; an educational item (I love the Brainquest cards); a few lightweight towels to use in the event we get wet or need an extra blanket (I love Turkish beach towels like these that are soft and dry quickly); and a few summer survival items like wet wipes, sunscreen, and bug spray. That way, I’m prepared for the best of summer from picnics to pool days to weekend road trips.

With a little bit of planning, you should be able to prolong those “I’ll turn this car around” threats for at least a little while!

Post by Rebecca of Not-So-SAHM

Rebecca is a mom to two young kiddos and, in her spare time (ha!), likes to pretend she’s a back-up dancer, craft cocktails, and run long distances. A relatively recent SAHM, she blogs family-friendly activities, DIYs and celebration fun at Not-So-SAHM.