I’ve been a newborn and family photographer for over a decade, which means I meet a lot of brand new parents. I always give them the same little rundown: when the baby is losing it and you don’t know what to do, you’ve got two moves.
Take them outside or put them in the bath.
I figured that trick had an expiration date. You know, a newborn thing. But my kids are 5, 3, and 1, and when we need a reset, I still take them outside or put them in the bath. Middle of the day, doesn’t matter. It works almost every time!
Outside isn’t just a distraction, it actually regulates them. There aren’t enough words in the world to talk my kids out of a dysregulated meltdown, but I can take them outside.
So here’s what’s working for us this summer to keep us regulated:
The splash pad is great for about 20 minutes… and then someone’s bored. So I bring chalk, buckets, and paintbrushes. The water’s already there, which is the whole trick: they “paint” the concrete with water, chalk turns into paint the second it gets wet, and the buckets become whatever they decide the buckets are that day. Twenty minutes becomes two hours. Same trip, same cost, wildly different day.
Buckets, a creek, and zero agenda. They look for minnows and crawdads and rocks they’re convinced are special, and I sit with my feet in the water. I love to bring stuff like kitchen utensils I got at Goodwill. Bonus if you bring a colander—this is very exciting to kiddos, especially when at the creek. (This is a peak Indiana summer activity and I will not be taking questions!)
Download the app and suddenly a regular walk is a treasure hunt. There are caches hidden all over, probably a few within a mile of your house right now, and the kids lose their minds over finding a little container in a tree. It’s free and it makes the most ordinary trail feel like an adventure. We are obsessed!!
I’ve been hosting little picnics at the park here in Indy all summer and they’ve been so much fun. But honestly, just going to the park and bringing your lunch or dinner is exciting on its own. Food, but in a new spot, on the ground? Wow, mom, you’re the best!!! (If you're local, keep an eye on my Instagram account for our next park picnic location. We'd love for you to join us!)
This one’s a craft that actually lasts. Grab a stepping stone kit (or just a bag of quick-set concrete and a mold), let them press in handprints, rocks, marbles, whatever. It takes one afternoon and then it lives in your yard forever. Every summer I look at last year’s and can’t believe how small their hands were. This is one of my favorite summer “crafts.”
None of this is fancy. That’s kind of the point.
The magic of summer was never in doing it perfectly, or spending a lot, or planning something impressive. It’s chalk turning into paint on hot concrete. Cold creek water and a rock they’re sure is special. A little handprint pressed into cement that you’ll look at next summer and not believe it was ever so small.
Take whatever helps and leave the rest. And when it all falls apart? Outside or the bath. Every time.
I made something for you! The Summer Magic page is 100% free and packed with ideas and resources.
Magic for Any Kind of Day — plans for the hot days, the rainy days, the everyone’s-melting-down days
A build-your-own bucket list you and the kids can fill in together
Magic-Maker Moves — tiny, no-prep ways to turn a regular day a little bit magic
A 7-Day Summer Rhythm — not a rigid schedule, a loose flow that takes the decision-fatigue off your plate
Three to Try This Week — simple summer recipes the kids can actually help with
A whole wall of real summer memory ideas to scroll through and steal
All my favorite spots in Indy
👉 Go grab your Summer Magic here.
Oh, and by the way: I also created a (free!) Childhood Magic guide for you! It’s available immediately to everyone who subscribes. If you want more resources to bring childhood magic to your life, if you need big sister advice, or if you don’t want to miss future posts:
These are our family’s “outside hacks” but I know you’ve got your own. Drop your best mom tips in the comments or let me know what other resources or tips would be helpful to you…
We’re in this together.
Would you help a sister out and tap the heart below to “like” this post? It helps get these free resources to fellow mamas. Thank you!!!
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