Make Summer Sensational

MISSION, KS--(Marketwired - May 12, 2014) - (Family Features) Celebrate unlimited sunshine and bask in those carefree summer days with kid-friendly activities that bring the family together.

For many parents, it's the same routine each and every year. After weeks of anticipation for the end of the school year, those lazy summer days finally arrive for your children. But soon after, the newness wears off, leaving behind sad faces and the dreaded phrase heard by parents across the country, "I'm bored." But all it takes to battle summer boredom is a little preparedness and a few clever ideas to make this summer the best one yet.

Kid-approved activities
The summer fun experts at Bomb Pop serve up these awesome, fresh ideas to bring loads of memorable moments to your family all season long.

Go on a Park Crawl
Research all of the parks in your town and visit each one. Your kids will love pointing out their favorite attractions at each location. When the activity is over, have each child pick their favorite park so you can visit regularly.

Be sure to load up on sunscreen, drinking water and bug spray. Also, make sure you have a map or smartphone handy to help you navigate to the next park.

Make it memorable by taking a picture at each stop. Those treasured moments can be printed and pieced together into a summer scrapbook they'll cherish for years.

Make a Splash
Backyard water games are synonymous with smiles. Enjoy the classic warm weather activities of water balloon fights, squirt gun wars, playing on a slip and slide and, as always, swimming in an outdoor pool. Younger kids will love ice excavating, too. Simply freeze plastic toys in a large bowl and let them chip away at the ice.

Be sure to have everyone wearing swimsuits and plenty of sunscreen. Backyard fun also means your freezer is just a few steps away, so stock it with cool treats, such as the six fins of fun in Bomb Pops frozen treats. Your kids will love the waves of flavor in the Original Bomb Pop, or the new Watermelon flavor.

Make it memorable by making a game of your water activities. Whether it's a water balloon toss or squirt gun tag, kids will be more involved when you throw in some friendly competition. Be sure to have a lot of summer-themed prizes, such as cool beach towels, sunglasses or splash balls.

Catch a Cool Movie by Car
Relive the nostalgia and simplicity of seeing a movie at a drive-in theater. Your kids will love the experience of catching a movie under the stars, and because many allow you to pack your own summertime snacks and beverages, you'll love the savings. Your family can view a movie that's just to their liking, with many venues offering blockbuster hits, while some even bring back the big screen classics from your own youth.

Be sure to bring plenty of lawn chairs, pillows, blankets and bug repellent for the whole gang.

Make it memorable with each family member dressed in their favorite 50s or 60s drive-in attire, or in a costume that represents the movie.

Score a Home Run
A visit to the local baseball field is a wonderful way to teach your little ones about America's favorite pastime, while also encouraging an active lifestyle. Invite their buddies along so you can have a whole team, or just practice catching, pitching or batting with a couple of players.

Be sure to bring plenty of sunscreen, drinking water, hats, baseball gear and a cooler packed with delicious treats, such as Bomb Pops, the official sponsor of Little League Baseball and Softball.

Make it memorable by creating your own cheer section. Some kids may be too young to play, but they can still participate as cheerleaders for their brothers or sisters. Make sure your squad is complete with handmade cheer signs and pompoms for them to wave about proudly.

Create a Family Masterpiece
Get crafty with the kids and let them create their own giant mural -- on a bed sheet. Simply lay an old one out on the lawn and let the kids paint away. They will love to proudly hang up their creation in the basement rec room or any other place where they play.

Be sure to supply kid-safe paints, brushes, sponges and other items around the home for tracing shapes and designs. Also, make sure everyone lathers on plenty of sunscreen so they don't get burned while making their art.

Make it memorable and encourage your kids to tell a summer story through their artwork. Allow them to draw inspiration from a recent trip to the lake, the mountains or a family reunion.

With a few kid-friendly ideas, you can create memories that will last a lifetime. For other fun ways to enjoy summer, visit www.BombPop.com.

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