Summer’s here with the Britmums Carnival

I didn’t realise until I was reading everyone else’s posts that I didn’t actually have my own summer themed post from the last few weeks!  Oops.  Poor planning.  That doesn’t mean of course that there aren’t plenty of other summer themed posts floating around the blogosphere that I can include in my Britmums Carnival round up.

Hopefully everyone’s enjoying the improved weather.  Whether you’re taking time out in the garden or taking a breather from the warmth indoors, do sit down and get in the mood for summer by reading some of the posts I’ve discovered.

Many people are getting back out in their gardens again, and there’s some lovely ideas for activities and crafts.  Over at the Gingerbread House, they’ve been making a fairy garden.  I love this idea, and it really gives children something to call their own and develop over the weeks as they wish.

I focused my post (yes I did write one), on the 5 S’s, the essential outdoor toys for a garden to keep children entertained.  Oh, and the saga of the climbing frame is now ended.

Carrying on the sandpit theme, In the Playroom has a great post on sandpit ideas, from making your own to the activities to be played in them.  I prefer to keep the sand at nursery, although N would love a sandpit at home.  If you want other ideas for play on a budget, then Anna also has a post on 20 fun and frugal ideas for your garden.  I want one of those tyre swings, and a magnetic board could be a great way to get preschoolers to be interested in learning letters while they get some fresh air.

The Wildlife Trusts are encouraging everyone to get outside and have #30dayswild, getting closer to nature.  We signed up, although I have to admit we’ve been a bit poor at doing specific tasks. Cupcake Mumma has been making the most of school runs appreciating flora and fauna during their challenge.

If you’re going to be out and about this summer, and want a challenge to focus on, why not try getting your children to write a summer bucket list of activities to do during the summer months.  I love the design of Darcy’s summer bucket list over at Bump and Beyond.  If I was to write one for N, it’d probably be on post its notes.

Food wise, the warm weather is great for BBQs, picnics and ice creams.  Over at Cupcakes and Cashmere, I’m drooling at the simple, fun and slightly more elegant way of having ice cream in a cone.  And if you’re holding a tropical summer party, then look at these amazing hula girls with grass skirts over at Partiologist for a bit of fun.

If you’re a fan of foreign breaks, did you know about the 47 day rule?  Worth checking out the theory that Rebekah Esme tried out.

Finally, summer and good weather means hay making and sileaging on the farm.  Our sileaging was done in May, but Farmers Wife & Mummy has shared the hay making times on her blog. Embarrassingly, after 11 years of marriage, I know a lot less about the details than Emma does.

Thanks for reading, You can find details of the upcoming carnivals over on the Britmums website.