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Summer Survival Guide For Parents: 8 Things You Need Before Summer Starts

Officially, summer starts June 21st. But, for kids and parents alike, summer begins when the final school bell of the semester rings! Cue the fireworks, summer camp, pool parties, crazy schedules, and mosquito bites. If you already feel like you need a life raft, then you’ll love our go-to Summer Survival Guide For Parents.

1. The Right Water Toys

Summer gets hot. Really hot. And sometimes, the only way to escape the heat is heading to the water. If you’re one of the lucky ducks with a pool, having plenty of water toys will allow you to relax in style.

But if you don’t have a pool, there are plenty of alternatives! You could find a local lake or river and go tubing, buy some water guns and balloons and have a family wide battle, or even buy a mister for your porch. The possibilities are as endless as the fun you’ll have!

2. Schedule Board

With Sarah going to soccer and Ben going to art class, remembering that doctors appointment can be a struggle. One quick way to keep track of everything is to set up a family schedule. Pinterest is a wonderful resource for how-to’s on this subject, but we went ahead and selected our top three pins to get you started:

- Family Weekly Planner

- Family Command Center

- Family Agenda

3. Samsung Family Hub 2.0

The Samsung Family Hub is one of our favorite products, because it integrates so well with the way families already live.

You can set to do lists, leave memos, see inside your fridge remotely, set up reminders for when food expires, stream music, hang up digital art, and even update shopping lists in live time and have them sent right to your phone! So, next time you run to the store, and your family realizes you’re out of popsicles after you’ve left, they can add it to the shopping list on your phone right from the fridge. Once you have one in your home, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it!

4. Movie Projector

Not everyone has space in their home for a movie theater, but if you have a backyard, you’re already halfway to having the coolest house on the block.

Projectors are relatively inexpensive at around $200 and allow you to project

your kids (or your own) favorite movie! All you need is an old bed sheet and two tacks. Your little ones will love it, and after they go to sleep, so will the other parents on the block.

5. Mosquito Lamps

Mosquitos can be a real pain in the butt (or arm, or face, or wherever they bite you). Get them to leave you alone with some kerosene torches, or even a mosquito lamp. Not only will they keep the bugs at bay, the torches will give a little touch of summer ambiance to your backyard.

6. Delicious and Nutritious Snacks

Let’s face it: Hungry kids are whiny kids. Keep the tears at bay with easily accessible snacks! Look to in-season fruit, whole grains, and snacks that kids can make on their own for ideas!

7. Outdoor Refrigeration

Now that you’ve gotten your snacks ready, the next thing you’ll need is a place to store them. Of course, you can always put it in your indoor fridge, but when are the kids even indoors during the summer?

Consider investing in some outdoor refrigeration like this Perlick HP24BO34R. Not only is it great for quick bites, it also has wine drawers and plenty of room for cocktail mixers!

8. The Perfect Cocktail

Last, but certainly not least, after a long summer day, you deserve a drink. We went ahead and picked a few out for you! Enjoy, and have a wonderful summer!

- Cucumber Jalapeno Margarita (via Cooking Channel)

- Everything’s Coming Up Rosé (via Saveur)

- Blueberry Ginger Mojito Pitchers (via Cooking Channel)

- If You Like Pina Colada (via Saveur)

If one of the items in this article piqued your interest or you’re ready to put together a custom home appliance package, give us a call at 303.665.6850. One of our knowledgeable sales representatives would love to help!