Nannies: prepare for a great summer with kids
Here’s how to make your nanny summer feel a little more magical
The routines loosen up, the days get longer, and there’s suddenly room for more adventure, creativity, and, dare we say it? Freedom! But summer can also feel intimidating – especially if the kids aren’t in camp full-time and you’re suddenly responsible for filling long days with activities, teaching moments, and fun. Here are some of our team’s top tips on taking on summer in a proactive way that parents will love and in a fun way to make it memorable for both you and your charges.
A step ahead of parents and summer alike
One of the best things you can do before summer starts is talk with the parents about expectations.
Some families have very clear ideas about how they want summer to look. Others are hoping you’ll help shape it. If you’re an after-school nanny you may be stepping into a full-day care role, too, which may change the set up.
By asking parents to set aside a few minutes to talk through their expectations and your ideas for the summer, you can set yourself up for a smoother transition – and you show them that you are proactive, reliable, and an absolute dream hire.
A few helpful questions to ask:
Will the children attend camps or classes?
How much structure do they want during non-camp days?
Do they have specific goals for the summer? (Reading, outdoor time, less screen time, social activities)
Does the family have any memberships you can use? (Zoo, pool, museums, botanical gardens, libraries)
Can you get a budget for outings and supplies?
This is also a great opportunity to bring your own ideas to the table. Parents will love it if you take the idea generation off their plate, trust us!
Simple activities go a long way
You may feel like you need to come up with elaborate schemes or expensive outings to make a summer memorable. But that’s just your algorithm talking. Children rarely need Pinterest-worthy setups to have a great day.
In fact, some of the most engaging summer activities are surprisingly simple. Here are three easy DIY activities using stuff the family probably has at home:
1. Build a backyard water station
If the family has outdoor space, splashing around with water can be both educational and fun (and cooling!). Always check with the family first to get the green light, of course.
Ideas:
Water tables
Buckets and measuring cups
Sponges and spray bottles
DIY car wash for bikes and scooters
“Potion making” with water, flower petals, leaves, and mud
2. Cook up a mud kitchen
Mud kitchens are essentially outdoor pretend kitchens made from old household items.
You can use:
Old pots and pans
Wooden spoons
Muffin tins
Plastic containers
An unused shelf or small table
Kids love sensory play, and this is a great example of using what the family already has instead of constantly buying new toys. If the kids are older, you can build and set it up together.
3. Kids. Love. Cardboard Boxes.
Seriously. (Are they secretly cats?)
Large boxes can become:
Rocket ships
Grocery stores
Restaurants
Cars
Puppet theaters
Mini houses
Use your imagination – and maybe some permanent markers!
Set up a long-term summer project
If the kids won’t be in camp every day, long-term projects can give the summer shape and help avoid the dreaded “What are we doing today?” question.
These projects also give children a sense of accomplishment over time.
You can:
Start a garden
Let the kids:
Plant herbs or flowers
Water daily
Track growth
Learn responsibility
Eventually cook with what they grew
Even a few pots on a patio or fire escape can work.
Create a Summer Scrapbook
Scrapbooks are a great keepsake, a lovely way for parents to see what the kiddos have been up to, and a fun, creative project for kids that can be adjusted to their age.
Print photos throughout the summer and let the children document adventures, funny moments, drawings, ticket stubs, and memories. Set a budget for stickers and decorations and go to the stationery store.
Each Friday (or end of your work week), sit down together and look through the week’s scrapbook content to remember all the fun things you did that week (or how you all got soaked in the sudden rain storm running back from the park).
Put on a summer show
Over several weeks, kids can:
Write a play
Make costumes
Build sets from recycled materials
Practice songs or dances
Perform for the family at the end of summer
This is a given if you yourself have a thespian bent!
Reading challenges and library adventures
Libraries are one of the best free summer resources for nannies. Plus they’re great if it gets too hot, too cold, or too rainy to be outside.
Look up your local library to see if they offer:
Reading programs
Story times
STEM activities
Craft days
Free passes to local attractions
A simple reading chart or themed book weeks can make reading feel exciting instead of academic. Maybe a sticker chart, too?
Plan for hot or rainy days
Not every summer day is meant for the playground. When temperatures get intense or the storm clouds gather, save everyone’s sanity with these indoor outings.
Children’s museums
Science museums
Aquariums
Libraries
Indoor play spaces
Bookstores with children’s sections
Nature centers
And remember to check with your nanny parents about any memberships they may have. Parents will be grateful to know you are making the most of memberships they’ve already paid for!
Keep it real
You don’t have to schedule every minute of the summer or be a cruise director for it to be a gold star summer. It’s a great time to recharge everyone’s batteries with a looser set up – but kids still do best when there is some semblance of a routine and they know what to expect.
Let yourself be a bit go with the flow, but have a pocket full of ideas or those long-term projects at hand. This way you and the kids will be engaged and learning without even realizing. And come Labor Day you’ll all be rested, energized, and maybe a little bit taller (okay that last one might just be the kiddos).
Looking for a summer nanny gig?
If your regular family takes a nanny break during summer or you are in transition and looking for a great summer job where you can flex your fun-in-the-sun skills, apply to us here at Smart Sitting. We have helped nannies and sitters find great positions that fit what they’re looking for for well over 15 years, and we’ve got loads of summer positions waiting in the wings.
Click the button below, tell us about yourself, your experience, and what you’re looking for, and if we think we can help you find a position in our network, we’ll be in touch!