September is back-to-school month, but there is still time for family fun. The weather is warm, so here is a list of outdoor activities to help you soak up the sun and indoor activities to help you stay cool.
PIZZA PARTY. September 5 is Cheese Pizza Day! Order a pizza or make one together at home. Pair this activity with a family movie night, and it will be relaxing fun for the whole family!
HOMEMADE CARDS. Grandparent’s Day is September 7, the perfect chance for your kids to show some love and appreciation: make homemade cards with colored paper, markers and paint. Fold the paper in half, “hot-dog style,”and have your children write a nice note on the inside. On the outside of the card, give them creative freedom. Grandparents will love to see what they come up with!
S’MORE FUN. Roasting marshmallows outside is a great way to wind down from a busy weekend. Your family can sit around the fire pit while talking about your favorite summer memories or playing silly games. All you need are graham crackers, marshmallows, chocolate and a fire!
UPCYCLED SUNGLASSES. This craft is great for kids who wants to show their individual style. Take a pair of old or inexpensive sunglasses and simple supplies to make these shades super cool! Some ways to decorate the sunglasses include gluing sequins, jewels, glitter, feathers or beads. After everything has dried, have a little photoshoot! It’s a fun way to capture their creativity.
PAINTED POPCORN. You and your kids can be creative with this craft and then eat it for a snack! For this activity you only need popcorn, sweet evaporated milk, clean 
paintbrushes and food coloring. Mix the food coloring and sweet evaporated milk in cups or muffin tins to create different “edible paints.”When the popcorn is ready, start painting! Let your popcorn dry before eating it to avoid messy fingers. To make this activity more fun, try popping your popcorn the old-fashioned way on the stove!
YMCA of Austin after school programs are a great way to keep your kids safe and learning during the school year. The YMCA of Austin offers 15 locations throughout Travis, Hays and Bastrop counties. Registration is now open. Financial assistance available.
