Kids remember the strangest things. Just ask a teen what they remember as a small child. They will tell you things that their parents did with them that were a big adventure. You can tell it has impacted them because it brings smiles to their face when they retell it. With summer here and kids out of school, it is the perfect time to do memorable things with your kids. These times will never present themselves again, because next summer your child will be one year older (you will too), and they may not appreciate the family experience as much as they would this year. I have compiled a list to help you. This isn't a mandatory list, so no need to become compulsive and do all of them. Just choose one or two, and make it fun for your child and yourself. It may be one of the things that bring a smile to your child's face long after they become adults.

1. Build a tree house, and let your child decide on a name for it.
2. Plan a fall garden with your child. Let them help decide what goes in the garden.
3. Re-decorate one aspect of your child's room. Whether it is painting their wall, buying new curtains, or a bedspread, let them be part of it.
4. Make a swing and hang it from a big tree in the front or back yard.
5. Rent a Karaoke machine and have a talent show with the family (invite friends if your child wants).
6. Let your child help plan a party with a few of their friends, and let them make the invitations.
7. Have a picnic at night with your whole family. Everyone is responsible for making one dish.
8. Have a dance contest with the family. Buy small awards, finger foods, and decorate the room festively.
9. Take the family ice skating at a rink (the Galleria is nice because there is so much to see).
10. Go to a baseball game. Kids love watching their parents get excited at a sporting event.
11. Get the family up early and drive to the beach to watch the sunrise. Packing small snacks and food for the birds the night before means a lot to a kid, and adds excitement to the trip for them.
12. Find a church you have never been to and take your family there for one service this Sunday. Read about the faith and share what you learn with your child. You can even make them part of the experience by letting them do some of the research. Your child will learn tolerance and acceptance of faiths other than their own, and that God loves everyone. I am amazed how this is remembered by children.
13. Make the Worlds' Largest Ice Cream Sundae and let your child help add the toppings. Let them invite three of their best friends to share the sundae.
14. Designate one night a week during the summer to have pizza and taco night. Each person in the family can put whatever topping they want on their individual pizza or taco. Eat together at the table, not in front of the TV.
15. Have Tuesday night be “puzzle night.” The whole family works on a puzzle. When the puzzle is completed (for large puzzles this may take a month), take a photo of all of you and celebrate. Put the puzzle back in the box and donate it to a shelter.
16. Plan a short weekend getaway which involves camping and a hike. Kids really love the idea of getting away, and they like to see mom and dad relaxing and playing with them. A bonfire is a wonderful way to end a perfect family day.
17. Make bubbles, and invite the neighborhood kids (and their parents) over. Parents enjoy relaxing with other parents, and kids like blowing bubbles. Something about seeing kids blowing bubbles and parents relaxing makes me feel happy…it will do the same for you (keep it outside).
18. On rainy summer days, making a movie day is a wonderful idea. Serving popcorn and hot dogs adds an additional great memory.
19. Designate one night as game night and let each child choose a game for that night. Set up the room with a table or sit on a blanket on the floor (kids love stuff like this). Make sure everyone shuts off their IPhones, blackberries, TVs and computers.
20. Go out in the evening and catch fireflies with your children. Let them keep them in a jar overnight and then free them in the morning.
21. After a good rain, go out with your child and catch tadpoles. They swim in the gutters on the street. This is memorable to a child especially if it happens frequently. They remember it as being special because a parent went with them, and anytime that happens it is an opportunity for a memory to be built.
22. Celebrate Sunday mornings with a BIG breakfast each Sunday of the summer. If your child is able to help prepare the breakfast with parents it makes it more exciting for the child.
23. Get a recipe and make ice cream with your child. There are recipes that don't demand an ice cream maker. The ice cream is delicious and the kids will love it.
24. Choose a night for “charades.” Let your child choose the theme and get ready for fun! Kids love this; it gives them a chance to see mom and dad acting silly. The laughter is sure to make a great summer memory.
25. Summer is a time to relax bedtimes. Make one night “early to bed night.” Tell your children this is mom and dad's night. It means so much to your children to know their parents enjoy each other, and it creates a security in their minds that mommy and daddy love each other. They will continue this memory in their own marriages. 

Have a wonderful summer building memories!