by 
For many stay-at-home parents who have younger children, transitioning from kids being in school most of the day to being at home all day can be a bit of a challenge. But, turning the out-of-school challenge into a memory-filled, active summer is within reach. We hope these gift ideas will not only make your time together more enjoyable, but also more manageable. Your summers together should be fun and relaxing not boring and drawn out. Hopefully this list will help you send the dog days of summer to the pound.
A Book Membership or Library Card
Keep your children engaged in fun reading activities and ongoing education with the gift of more knowledge. A library card or a book club membership will encourage them to keep reading and expand their horizons beyond the classroom.
A Fun-in-the-Sun Necklace
For the kid who likes to accessorize, treat them to a color-changing necklace that pairs with every outfit and will undoubtedly have their friends talking for days, as it changes colors with sunlight and will have them going in and out of the sun for hours to watch it change colors.
A Summer Party
Now that the weather is warmer and school is no longer in session, allowing a child to help organize their own summer party not only helps them see the fun parent that you are, but also gives the autonomy and responsibility of planning a party for themselves.
An Instant Camera
Awaken your child’s interest in the visual arts with an instant camera they can use around town and beyond. Small instant cameras are becoming more available online and are a great precursor to an expensive digital option. And who knows — maybe this will be the gift that puts them on the cover of National Geographic someday!
Custom-Made Sweet Treats
Surprise your kids and their friends with personalized cookies or cupcakes that let them know how special — and fun — they are.
A Special Trip with the Family
Celebrate the summer with a road trip or small vacation with your entire family or with your relatives. Let your child pick the next family road trip and let them help you plan all the essentials for a family getaway.
A Smartphone
A smartphone is one way to reward a child (at the appropriate age) while teaching them responsibility at the same time. There are an array of smartphones available with different capabilities that you can cater to suit you and your child’s needs. As they head off to middle school, one with calling and texting capabilities will help you keep in touch with them. You can work with your child to determine when to add games, social media, etc. to their plan.
A Personalized Stuffed Animal
A custom-to-the-individual stuffed animal is a classic way to recognize your child’s self-interests. Find them a stuffed version of their favorite animal holding something they love that they can carry with them throughout their life or at least over the next year or so.
A Dinner of Their Choosing
It might sound cheesy, but time spent together with family and friends is one of the best gifts you can offer. Take your children to a restaurant of their choosing, and surprise them by having a server bring out their favorite dessert or by having cake when you get home.
A LEGO Kit
For every interest, there is a LEGO kit. Surprise your kids with a LEGO set that will keep them busy over summer vacation and help them learn. They’ll feel even more accomplished after building an intricate scene or character, and it’ll keep them busy.
This list is hardly comprehensive. So, what else would you add to it? Let us know in the comments.