10 Fun Summer Chores for Kids

School is almost out for summer. Kids all over the country are gearing up to throw their book bags in the back of the closet and kick off their summer vacations. Parents, on the other hand, are racking their brains for ways to keep their kids busy that do not include extensive brain-rotting video gameplay. We are here to help! Check out our picks for ten fun summer chores to keep your kids constructively occupied this summer.

1. Create a summer goals chart.

Goals charts are a great way to put chores into perspective in a fun and interactive way. They can include things like chore wheels, savings goals for allowances, and a rewards board for successfully completed chores. Break out the colored markers, glitter, and glue and start making chores fun before they even have to start doing them.

2. Throw a "dusting dance party".

Dusting, vacuuming, mopping, boring, boring, boring. No kid wants to spend a perfectly good afternoon cleaning. For an easy way to make cleaning more fun, turn on the disco ball, crank up the volume on their favorite tunes, and have yourself a dance party suitable for the occasion.

3. Get a summer job.

Summer jobs are a great way for kids to learn about responsibility in a fun way. Younger kids can try their hands at running a lemonade stand or home helpers that are given odd jobs around the house for rewards. Older kids can be encouraged to work as day/sleep-away camp counselors or help out at a local shop or library. Not only will the experience be fun, but it will be gratifying as well.

4. Redecorate their room.

Just like adults, kids go through phases in their young lives. Take the opportunity of summer downtime to help your kids redecorate their rooms to reflect their unique style. It will help with their self-confidence, allow them to express their creativity, and an added bonus is they will want to keep it clean for longer.

5. Start a garden.

Give your kids a reason to get a little down and dirty with the plants this year. Not only will they learn how to care for and grow things, but it can also teach them about healthy eating. It is way cooler for kids to eat broccoli that they watched grow rather than the one mom bought at the store. Don't have a backyard? Try looking into community gardens as an alternative.

6. Volunteer at a community center.

A great way for kids to give back and learn about the importance of community is through volunteer work. It can be done at any age and teaches kids valuable lessons such as compassion for the less fortunate. Some ideas include packing lunches for the less fortunate, peer tutoring, or even set up/clean up for community events. Reach out to local community centers to find out how your kids can give back.

7. Put on a talent show.

One thing that kids love to do is showcase the things they are good at. A nice way to encourage creativity and group work is to put on a talent show. Encourage kids to try their hand at a newly acquired talent. This is a great way for kids to learn that practice makes perfect.

8. Keep a summer journal.

Encouraging kids to keep a summer journal has several benefits. It helps them improve their writing and spelling skills. More importantly, the stories they tell, the pictures they draw, and the memories they choose to fill their journal with will all be expressions of their creativity and help them express emotions in a constructive way.

9. Help cook a meal.

There is no better way to encourage healthy eating than to let kids help plan and cook the meal. Give them guidelines, such as must include chicken and three vegetables, and let them decide what is for dinner. Kids who are hands-on with their food are much more likely to make healthy food choices.

10. Do a DIY home project.

Boredom is the killer of ambition. Do-it-yourself projects come in all shapes and sizes, and they help kids learn to focus and attention to detail. They are also usually really fun, educational in some way, and give kids a sense of accomplishment while letting them express their creativity. Whether they are tie-dying a shirt or helping you put together the new entertainment system, inspire your kids to do it themselves.

Even though chores are things that have to be done, it does not mean they cannot be fun to do. Actually, chores are more likely to get done when they are fun. So, take the opportunity this summer to help your kids turn the mundane into extraordinary, and don't forget to whip out your camera to capture those fun-filled moments!

6 Awesome Personalized Mixbook Home Décor Ideas

1. Hang a big canvas print of your best family moment over the mantle.

2. Fill your bookshelf with metal prints of your greatest vacation photos.

3. Tack a customized photo calendar above your home office desk.

4. Create a family accomplishments photo wall with acrylic blocks.

5.  Drape the walls of your kids' rooms with personalized poster prints.

6. Make a coffee table photo book to share with your loved ones.