The year may be 2020 on paper, but this year, summer is looking more like a 90’s movie. Take some notes from your childhood favorites (“Now and Then”, “Never Been Kissed”, “Saved by the Bell”) and plan a good old fashion family fun summer.
Go for a Bike Ride Around Your Long Island Neighborhood
When was the last time your family rode their bikes together? Ride your bikes around the neighborhood together. Maybe you can ride to the park and have a picnic, or plan a scavenger hunt around your neighborhood for the kids to do together.
Play Outside Until the Street Lights come on
Do you remember what it was like when you were a kid in the summer? You’d leave after breakfast or lunch and wouldn’t come home until the street lights came on. We didn’t have devices or phones … or a care in the world. Need help figuring out what to do outdoors? Here are some ideas:
- Make up a dance to your favorite Song (Like Tiktoc but 90’s style). Remember dancing to the entire Backstreet Boys or Britney Spears album in your driveway? This is a great way to bond with your Ticktok kid and spend hours together making up silly choreography in the driveway.
- Learn to Hula Hoop or Jump rope! Can you imagine a time when kids had fun with just a circle of plastic or a rope? We were those kids. Teach your kids about fun that happens off their devices.
- Run through a Sprinkler or make a slip in slide. Hint, use dish soap for an extra slippery ride!
- Play Hide and Seek. Get in some cardio and fun with this old fashioned game of fun. If your kids are older, play manhunt!
Go to a Drive-in Movie at One of the New Long Island Pop-Up Drive-Ins
Okay, this one we may not all have had as kids, but it’s a thing that’s happening now on Long Island. Our parents have told us stories about the “good old drive-in days” and now guess what? We’re living in them. Grab your favorite takeout and your family and head to the drive in. Enjoy a classic film and a memory your family will keep for a lifetime.
Go Camping at a Long Island Campground or Your Own Back Yard
There’s nothing like unplugging and connecting with nature in the great outdoors. Even if you choose to “go camping” in your own backyard, make it a night to remember. Sleep in a tent, cook over your fire (or firepit), Make s’mores and catch fireflies. Summer is an amazing time to get outside and have an adventure.
Play Games from your Childhood
Do you remember what a ‘90s birthday party was like? You’d go to a friend’s house, eat pizza and cake then play in the yard for hours. What did we do for all those hours? We played a bunch of different games. If you think back, you’ll find them in your memory, but just in case you need a reminder, here are our top three:
- Red Light Green Light – One person is chosen to be “it” (the traffic Light). Standing a pretty decent distance away “it” turns their back to the players who are lined up. The person who’s “it” recites the words “Red Light, Green Light 123” and turns around. All players must freeze on 3. Keep going until someone tags “it”.
- Simon Says – One person plays Simon and gives a list of “Simon Says” actions. If “Simon” says to perform an action but doesn’t say “Simon Says” before, the person who performs that action is out.
- Red Rover – Two teams line up facing each other and take turns calling over one person from the other team. When you’re called, your goal is to try to break the chain. If you cannot, you join the caller’s team.
Play Ball on Long Island’s Tennis, Baseball, Basketball and Handball Courts
Have some good old fashion fun outside with a game of ball. You can play doubles at the tennis courts, play baseball or basketball at the park, hit a handball against a wall, or make your own bowling game out of bottles and a ball.
Have Yourself an Old Fashioned Long Island Summer
Just because this summer things are a little different, that doesn’t mean you can’t make some great memories along the way. Take a look back, call your mom and reminisce .… Somewhere somehow, you’ll remember what a good old fashioned summer was all about. And your kids will thank you for it!
