The past week has been filled with grands, great nieces and nephew with lots of activity and fun here. Because some of you may have lots of little ones in your life this summer, I thought now might be a perfect time to share some ideas that worked well with us. So, here are 11 great ideas for the little ones in your life!

Ideas for the Little Ones in Your Life

1. Special breakfasts

Waffles with whipped cream and blueberries were a hit here!

Muffins are always loved, too.

2. Fun Outdoor Play

Because we needed to run off a little bit of energy…we had a mini 4th of July celebration with a giant 6′ ball to chase around the yard.

Additionally, hot weather meant they needed a bit of water play fun and this water twister game was a winner.

There was badminton, firefly chases, and watering plants added to the fun.

Don’t forget outdoor play needs to be accompanied with grilled hamburgers and lots of watermelon!

Although our giant ball was a patriotic one found at Sam’s, here’s a few links to find similar items to what our kids love:

3. Blueberry picking

A local blueberry farm was enjoyed by a few of the littles. A tradition that is done each year with them.

Those berries were used to make wonderful glazed blueberry glazed donuts.

4. Garden fun

Helping water the garden and pick veggies while a friend was away was a favorite!

They proclaimed the peppers the BEST ones ever!

The lemon balm whispered–“let’s make lemon balm cookies” to those littles who love them…and so they were made. If you don’t have lemon balm, no worries! Simply use the lemon juice and zest for a great lemon shortbread cookie.

Lemon Balm Cookies

A great shortbread cookie making use of lemon balm! A favorite to make with little ones.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 3 15

Cook Time 10

Total Time 3 25

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Equipment

oven
mixer
cookie sheet

Ingredients

2 T lemon balm leaves, minced
1 T fresh lemon juice
1 zest lemon
1 C butter, softened
2/3 C sugar
1 large egg
2 1/3 C all purpose flour
1 t salt

Instructions

Zest one lemon and place in a small dish with minced lemon balm and lemon juice and set aside.
Mix together flour and salt in separate bowl.
In a large mixer bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy with a mixer.
Beat in egg and lemon mixture.
Gradually beat in flour mixture.
Pour dough onto a piece of parchment paper and roll back and forth until its the desired size of the cookie roll diameter.
After rolling the desired circle size of the cookies to be baked, wrap dough in parchment paper and place in ziplock bag.
Cover and refrigerate 3 hours or until dough is firm.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Slice the roll into 1/8" slices.
Place cookies on ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes or until slightly browned around the edges.
Enjoy!!

Notes

TIP: If you don’t have lemon balm…no worries…just add a bit of lemon zest with the juice for a great lemon shortbread cookie!

When the lemon balm comes back in the spring, the kids know that it’s time to make these lemon balm cookies. They stay a favorite until fall temperatures cause the lemon balm to die back. They request them and always help with baking them.

TIP: You may wrap the roll in the refrigerator and keep ready for slicing and baking when needed. Just be careful to wrap tightly so they don’t dry out.

You can make these extra special by adding a cookie icing or adding pansies to the tops. Perfect for teatime guests! Big or little!

Enjoy!

Keyword lemon balm cookies, shortbread cookies

6. Mini Golf

Screams of laughter with golf balls hitting the waterfalls and ponds surrounding the mini golf course sent little ones into creativity at their retrieval. So fun!

7. Local outdoor walks.

Walks by the river front and collecting driftwood was breathed in and calming.

8. Fun local places of interest.

The lower town artistic community found us locating the MANY painted fire hydrants that the kids loved.

Then there was this beautiful new painting that we had to capture in a photo…isn’t it lovely? and aren’t those the cutest kids?

Find local painted walls to capture moments with those littles. Ours loved it.

9. Space for indoor creativity.

Artwork and game play were creatively inspired…with long sheets of butcher paper on floors and island surfaces.

Dress up play, crayons, and water color were added to the mix.

There was also lego play and lots of reading added to the day.

Mornings found us quietly on the deck among the plants with the sound of church bells in the distance and deer poking out of the edge of the woods.

10. Trips to fun attractions.

A visit to the local waterpark conquered fears and was declared the BEST fun of all. Venture River Park is amazing if you are in this area!

We haven’t been in years and there were so many great updates. And when you are 2…you just can’t stay awake…

An early in the afternoon movie visit found us in a pretty empty theater with only 8 others sharing the room. It was magical!

11. Add a bit of down time…

Although reading and artwork give a time of rest…a movie with G’s fabulous popcorn is always the favorite treat…can I add copious amounts of popcorn?