Summer has finally arrived and there’s lots of fun to be had until camp starts or September rolls around again! Find exciting ways to celebrate the end of the school year and activities to keep bored kids busy on rainy days.

Outdoor Pizza Party
Pizza is a super-fun activity for families to make together and kids will be able to practice their kneading, as well as create new topping combos. Pizza cooked on the backyard barbecue is the closest you’ll get at home to a real wood-oven taste, plus it’s quick and easy to make. Try a double batch of dough and freeze half so that you can get to the grill quickly the next time you’ve got pizza on the mind!

Recipe to try: Grilled Pizza

Fancy Lemonade Stand
Go gourmet with your lemonade stand this summer and increase profits by serving up summer’s favorite beverage with special ice cubes that won’t dilute the drink. Try coming up with other combinations of fruit juices or ice tea and ice cubes to keep it interesting while you’re keeping cool.

Recipe to try: Lemonade with Lemon-Mint Ice Cubes

Summer Smoothie Contest
Skip the ice cream in the recipe below for a healthier snack, but use the ideas to stage a summer smoothie competition! Set out lots of different types of fruit - frozen and not - ice cubes, plain yogurt, honey, and anything else you think will make a great addition to the smoothie selection and get blending. Make sure the judges sip slowly to avoid "brain freeze"!

Recipe to try: Summer Smoothies

Get in a Strawberry Jam
This is a perfect way to use all that extra free time during the height of strawberry season. Start off by making your homemade pectin from Granny Smith apples and then slow-cook strawberries with sugar, lemon juice, and the pectin to create a special jam that you can give away as presents - or enjoy all throughout the summer months!

Recipe to try: Strawberry Jam

Loads of Corn
Husking fresh sweet corn together is a great way to turn a tedious task into a fun family activity. If you’ve got lots of guests coming over, set up a garbage in the middle of a circle of chairs and chat while you prep your corn. Make sure to have butter and salt at the ready once all the ears come off!

Recipe to try: Corn on the Cob

A Hot Dog with all the Toppings
Get all the kid-friendly fixings together for the Chicago-style hot dog below with fresh tomatoes, celery salt, pickle relish, and mustard. Or create your own hog dog bar with lots of toppings. Most kids will be happy with just ketchup, but there will always be some adventurous types who will branch out to grated cheese, chili, or even sauerkraut! You can even make a few tofu dogs to satisfy vegetarians.

Recipe to try: Classic Chicago Hot Dogs

Pretty Picnic Cookies
Make these pinwheel cookies to impress the crowd at your next picnic. They look complicated, but they’re simple once you get the hang of the shape. Plus, the basic cookie recipe can be used for lots of other shapes - or try mix-ins like peanut butter candies, nuts, or your favorite chocolate bar broken into small pieces.

Recipe to try: Pinwheel Cookies