Summer Organizing Tips: Keep Life Simple & Fun
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Summer is here—and with it comes new routines, warmer weather, and new energy! But to glide through the season as cool as a cucumber, a little preparation can go a long way.
Start by reflecting on what’s about to change. Are the kids home all day now? Do you need to prepare for summer childcare providers? Are there new activities, lessons, or playdates filling up the calendar? What new experiences would you like to create?
Once you identify the needs, it’s time to simplify. One of the best ways to be on top of summer activities is by setting up Grab-and-Go Areas—designated spots for essentials. The zones below save time, prevent stress, create independence, and help everyone enjoy the summer a little more.
1. Command Center
Create a summer “hub” where everything comes together. This is where your family can see what’s happening and grab frequently needed items as they head out the door.
Include: A calendar with your family’s summer schedule—graduation parties, sleepovers, camps, swim lessons, etc. Then have a few labeled bins or baskets for frequently used items. Place the calendar and bins near each other – perhaps in a cabinet, on a shelf in a laundry or mud room. Some categories you may want to include:
- Sunscreen and bug spray
- Sunglasses, hats, and visors
- First aid: Band-aids, hand sanitizer, sunburn relief
- Nourishment: water bottles, heat-resistant snacks
2. Outdoor Fun
Don’t scramble when neighborhood kids show up or a spontaneous water battle breaks out! Keep summer fun organized and ready by setting up a few labeled activity bins or totes in the garage. For bins with lots of items—like a pool bag—jot down a contents list and place it in a protective sleeve, like a ticket holder. Then either hang the list on the tote or tuck it inside. This makes it easy for you, or a babysitter, to see what needs to be replaced.
- Pool Bag: towels, sunscreen, sunglasses, pool toys, water bottles, snacks, a few dollars cash
- Water Play: water guns, reusable water balloons, sprinklers, slip-and-slide
- Sidewalk Creations: chalk, wet wipes
- Bubble Fun: bubbles, wands, wet wipes
- Exercise & Fun: jump ropes, Frisbee, Skip-It
3. Rainy Day or Zoom Meeting – Rescue
Whether it’s a surprise thunderstorm or you need quiet time for an unexpected Zoom meeting, keep a few mini-projects or activity bins prepped and ready to go. This way you’re not hunting around for supplies expectedly. Fun options:
- Make a Picture Frame: popsicle sticks, glue, markers or paint, magnets
- Create Greeting Cards: card stock paper, colored pencils or markers
- Modeling Fun: Play-Doh or Kinetic Sand, molds, tools
- Puzzles: 100- or 500-piece puzzles
- Brain Teasers Books: crosswords puzzles, Sudoku, word search books
4. Outdoor Cooking & Dining
Make grilling and outdoor dining simplified with these grab-and-go baskets or bins!
- Dining or Picnicking: plastic plates, cups, utensils, salt and pepper, napkins, wet wipes
- Grilling Supplies: tongs, turner, seasonings, grill brush, cleaner, paper towel (see photo above – gray tote)
Lastly, Plan to Do Something New!
Summer is the perfect season to try something new—especially something that brings fun and connection. Whether it’s with your kids, partner, or a group of friends, new experiences create lasting memories. Here are some Ideas:
- Learn a Foreign Language
- Take a Class – coding, pottery, or cake decorating
- Experience an Escape Room
- Learn to Salsa or Line Dance
If you’ve ever wondered about line dancing – it’s exploded in popularity! You’ll find lessons and open dancing most nights of the week for all ages, from free to $10pp. It’s great exercise, energizing music, and an easy way to new people. It’s not just country music – but a mix of pop as well. Grab your boots or sneakers, and head out for a good time! It happens to be my new favorite hobby!
Wishing you a happy and safe summer!
Note: All bins and baskets were either purchased at Target, Dollar Tree, or The Container Store.