MUST-DO MONDAY: PREP YOUR KIDS FOR SUMMER

Just a few more weeks before the kids are out of school! Summer’s a favorite time for children and families, but you can make it even better with a little pre-planning. Check out all the ways you can turn three months into a lifetime of great memories.

The great outdoors. Hiking, swimming, waterskiing, river rafting, arts and crafts, s’mores and camp songs. Whether it’s day camp or week-long caravans, summer’s a great time for kids to explore mountains, forests, beaches, caves and more. Sign them up for their favorite activities, or try out a few new ones. Space is often limited and goes quickly for the most popular camps, so be sure to start early and lock in spots now for your little ones.

Travel. If you’ve been itching for a place to take your kids beyond the classic camp adventure, summer’s the perfect season to venture to new cities, states, and even countries if you’re feeling ambitious. Create your very own adventure by stocking up on travel books at the bookstore or library, and choose a place that the entire family can explore. Hotels, motels, RVs, home rentals – there are a million ways to get to know a new place. Poll your coworkers, ask friends and go online for tips on hidden restaurants and local haunts. If heading abroad, check your passports now: a non-rush renewal can take four to six weeks, and kids’ passports expire every five years (plus some countries require that your passport expires at least six months after your trip dates).

Gear up. Every outdoor outing needs gear to match! Stock up on 30 SPF sunscreen and sun hats to keep the rays off the kids, along with UV-protective polycarbonate sunglasses that offer shatterproof protection. Do a test run of their swim suits to avoid any surprises on pool day. And stock up on name tags and labels so they come home with everything they left home with (or at least as much as possible).

Skechers has some great summer styles as well: sandals for the sand, water-friendly shoes and rugged boots for the outdoors. And of course, our go-anywhere collection of sneakers for boys and girls.

Indoor fun. Indoor time has never been more fun and imaginative – thanks to the slew of creative activities at your disposal. Get them lost in all kinds of worlds through your favorite books. Strike up your own masterpiece with coloring books. Become the master of popsicle and ice cream makers, and new discoveries like kinetic sand and science kits that cover everything from electricity to magnetics, chemistry and more. You can even order caterpillars for kids and help them grow their very own butterflies.

Above all, make memories. Take a few minutes out of every day to enjoy the longer days (and stargazing nights) and spend some time together. Even the simplest experiences (an evening walk, dinner outdoors, a board game) can mean a lot to your kids. Collect snaps of this summer’s adventures to share with family and friends now, and your kids in the future. Most importantly, do everything you can to live in the moment and enjoy the most special thing in our lives: each other.

Styles shown: the Empire – Rock Around sneaker in Neon Pink/Coral and the Skech Appeal – Fabtastic sneaker in Gray/Mint.