ACMB’s Ultimate Guide to Summer in San Antonio

School’s out, and summer has kicked into high gear. Almost three months of bliss, right??

Wait, do you hear that? That is the collective groan of moms everywhere realizing that they have almost three months to fill when the sing-song chorus of “I’m soooooo booorrred” begins approximately two weeks after the last day of school.

Have no fear! We’re here with a sand bucket list to help you keep the littles at bay, so inhale and stay calm. Remember, they can sense fear, so really—chill out. Summer is not a competition. There is no definition of the “perfect” summer. Memories will be made no matter what activities fill your days.

By the way, family legends don’t grow from “perfect” summers. The stories that are told time and time again about funny memories that will never go away, are born when bathing suits fall off in big waves, diaper bags are left on car trunks, backyard barbecues require a fire extinguisher to put out the flames, and the dog eats your picnic lunch.

Your kids will remember the crazy and it will make them smile. If cooking up a storm is your thing, enjoy kitchen time with your kids. If glittering anything that stands still makes you smile, whip out the glitter and let the kids go to town. Hit the pool, hit the beach, watch movies, and eat popcorn. Let that paleta drip down your chin, relax, and fill your sand bucket any way you like.

Before we jump into sure-fire fun, don’t forget: there are still summer camp slots available, as well as Vacation Bible School options, too! We also have a great list of FREE—that’s right—totally free activities and events to help fill your summer. And as always, ACMB will keep you informed with monthly calendar posts of all the latest/greatest/coolest activities in San Antonio. Get the June scoop here, and don’t forget to check back in for July and August events sure to keep boredom at bay.

Now, fill your sand bucket with:

Indoor Fun

Outdoor Adventures

Play Tourist

Road Trips

 

Summer Flavors

  • Cool off with a paleta (or two…or 10…).
  • Decorate donuts at Krispy Kreme (every Wednesday, 6:00–8:00 P.M.).
  • Have a picnic in the backyard, at your favorite park or on the beautiful grounds of the McNay.
  • Enjoy $1.50 ice cream at Baskin Robbins on the 31st of July and August.
  • Take your temperature down with raspas.
  • Make s’mores: via a campfire, a backyard fire pit, or even your oven (put graham cracker bottom and marshmallow in the oven for a bit; when the marshmallow is good and fluffy, add chocolate and the top cracker; warm a bit longer; and YUM!).
  • Savor local ice cream: Lick, Brindles, Amy’s, or anywhere else you love and tell us what flavors to try!
  • Freezer fun: Turn your Go-Gurt (or any stick yogurt) into a frozen treat.
  • Travel the world through food: pick a country or regional cuisine and try out a traditional dish (and learn about the country while you’re at it).
  • Make fun ice: put mini-toys in tubs of water, freeze them, and pop them into a kiddie pool for cool, melting fun.
  • Sip a fantastical milkshake from Honeysuckle Teatime.
  • Enjoy brunch at the Guenther House.
  • Have dinner by candlelight inside or tiki torches outside.
  • Eat your fill of Texas barbecue (two of Texas Monthly‘s top 50 BBQ spots in Texas are in San Antonio!).
  • Make homemade ice cream.
  • Cool off with a root beer break at Schilo’s.
  • Invite friends over for a potluck picnic.
  • Get shaved ice at Bahama Buck’s.
  • Make fruit kabobs or did them in yogurt and freeze them for a super summer cool off.
  • Build your own pizza night (at home or somewhere like Mattenga’s).
  • Make smoothies.
  • Have a progressive dinner with friends in your area, hitting different houses for each course.
  • Let the kids plan your dinner menu and help prepare everything.
  • Make popsicles.
  • Have a family barbecue and let corn on the cob/watermelon/popsicles drip down your chin.
  • Let the kids host a lemonade stand.
  • Have breakfast for dinner.
  • Make banana splits.
  • Explore the burgers of San Antonio.
  • Make yogurt parfaits.
  • Enjoy the sugary donuts of San Antonio.
  • Take a night off from cooking and enjoy dinner out at a kid-friendly spot or any of these great places.
  • Eat dinner on the patio.

 

Water Fun

Field of poppies at Wildseed Farms near Fredericksburg, Texas | Alamo City Moms BlogOld-School Fun

  • Run in the sprinklers.
  • Have a family slumber party: put blankets and pillows on the floor, tell stories, and make shadow puppets.
  • Play hopscotch.
  • Have a water balloon fight.
  • Create chalk art on the sidewalk, driveway, or street.
  • Go on a bug hunt in the backyard.
  • Splash in a kiddie pool.
  • “Paint” and play in shaving cream outside (then hose off the fun).
  • Blow bubbles.
  • Ride bikes.
  • Create your own obstacle course.
  • Make shadow puppets.
  • Experience a drive-in movie at Stars and Stripes Drive-In in New Braunfels.
  • Hula hoop!
  • How low can you go? Limbo!
  • Play in the sand.
  • Create your own reading challenge: once you’ve read for so many minutes or read a certain number of books, have a celebration or do a special activity.
  • Build a pillow fort.
  • Play Twister.
  • Write a letter to your favorite Disney character (and get a card back).
  • Have a water gun shoot-out.
  • Enjoy a game night with “old school” games like Clue and Monopoly.
  • Take in a Fourth of July parade and fireworks (a couple of fireworks options: San Antonio’s official fireworks at Woodlawn Lake, Schertz Jubilee).
  • Ride in the car with the windows down.
  • Finger paint.
  • Eat popsicles outside.
  • Become pen pals with faraway friends or family.
  • Have a dance party.
  • Host a family movie afternoon or night, complete with popcorn and snacks.
  • Admire the ducks at Heritage Duck Pond & Park in Boerne, Brackenridge Park in San Antonio, or Landa Park in New Braunfels.
  • Make cascarones (in San Antonio they’re never out of season!).
  • Watch the sun set and see if fireflies come to visit.
  • Make paper airplanes.
  • Make puppets and put on a puppet show.
  • Go on a scavenger hunt.
  • Make your own kites and fly them.
  • Have a tea party.
  • Do a jigsaw puzzle together.
  • Make Playdough.
  • Play hide and seek (and yes, you have to find the kids—eventually).

Extra Fun

  • Have a “Yes Day” where the kids are in charge and you have to say yes to anything (within reason) the kids suggest.
  • Let the kids pick out your wardrobe for the day.
  • Check out different national holidays and do something fun to celebrate each one (June, July, August).
  • Create your own holiday and let the kids decide how to decorate and celebrate.
  • Make a chore chart to keep chores on track during your summer fun.
  • Add some gratitude to your summer by asking everyone in the family to write down (or tell Mom so she can write it) one thing they are grateful for each day.
  • Keep a summer journal of all of your adventures: let the kids draw pictures of where you go/what you do.
Dawn
An Army brat who came to Texas for college and ultimately managed to make the Lone Star State her permanent home, Dawn became a mom “AMA” (advanced maternal age), giving her the opportunity to use a stroller vs. a walker as she navigates the world of motherhood. Her growing up way too fast native Texan loves all things Star Wars, Legos, dinosaurs and keeping his parents on their toes. When she’s not busy parenting the original strong-willed child, Dawn runs Tale to Tell Communications, a San Antonio-based PR and marketing agency. An award-winning writer, Dawn also contributes to San Antonio Woman, Rio Magazine and Texas Lifestyle Magazine. She and her family enjoy exploring all that San Antonio has to offer, going on adventures and playing tourist together as much as possible. Favorite Restaurant: Clementine Favorite Landmark: The beauty of the River Walk, especially La Villita Favorite San Antonio Tradition: Celebrating anything and everything with color, music and food