As Summer comes to an end and Fall approaches, Family Entourage is here with ways to double the fun by sharing multiple uses for the same items in order to maximize the seasons.
MULTI-SEASON FUNCTIONAL FASHIONS
Summer outdoor activities mean lots of time spent in the sun and protecting your skin is a top priority but as temps get cooler you might think less about it, but the danger of burn is still there. We love Coolibar (#1 sun protection brand in the world) fashions as they can take us easily from both seasons while being functional and stylish. Coolibar has been leading UPF 50+ fabric technology for over 20 years. Their line features over 50 different fabrics, all of which block 98% of UVA and UVB rays. It is so helpful to have the sun protection built into the fabric and not have to worry about reapplying sunscreen all day long.
From swimsuits and shorts to dresses, jackets and more, Coolibar has great looks that can be worn for travel, golf, hiking and tennis, but equally great for fitness classes and casual school drop off. Think Wide brim hat that is wonderful for pool or beach, but doubles for lunch with a friend or coffee meet up. We also love the Mendocino Travel Skirt and Destin Travel Windbreaker. The material is lightweight and great for cool nights on vacation or for fall when we run errands. Plus, we love that there are pockets perfect for keys, phone and other travel necessities.
“BUILDING” SKILLS FOR PLAY AND SCHOOL
As a family we love building LEGO sets and they are the perfect way to extend creativity and play from the Summer months in the Fall and beyond. We love have LEGO bricks can reflect family experiences like a camping adventure in the woods, picture taking on trips, and role play in the home.
For elementary kids it can help ease the step back into school ensuring young minds are active as classes begin, and for older builders set can help express passions and even personalize your space — perhaps a dorm room! The 3 in 1 sets are really creative because you get the option build in three different ways with the same set of bricks, making triple fun. We found these favorite double takes all at LEGO.com.
Kicking off the sets, we love the LEGO® Creator Modern House since it allows for us to move into three amazing houses packed with cool interiors and features. Reminds us of our trip to the beach over the summer relaxing with luxury and a swimming pool to the stylish three-story city building with a hot tub room and a roof terrace, and our stay in the woods in a forest cabin. With us getting the choice how to build it not only allows us to revisit our travels, but preps us for the school year with role play of getting ready and leading our scheduled fall of school and activities.
We had so much fun crafting a detailed vintage radio with this LEGO® Icons Retro Radio. Not only does this creative building set include everything needed to build a non-working replica of a 1970s portable radio complete with a foldup carrying handle and antenna, but it also features sound effects when you turn the power and tuning dials. These include the warm crackle of analog signals and music snippets from the sound brick. But our favorite aspect was the fact that you can remove the back panel to mount a smartphone and actually play your favorite song list! This is ideal for any study nook, home office, and a great decor, and functional piece, for all college dorm room.
Sticking to the retro theme but for the younger students, Boys and girls aged 8+ can build and rebuild three different pieces of vintage technology — a camera toy, a video camera and a TV — using the same set of bricks with this LEGO® Creator Retro Camera 3in1 toy.
Another fun playset that can be rebuilt into three different models is the LEGO® Creator Typewriter with Flowers. You can make a Typewriter with Flowers toy; a keytar toy on a stand with flowers; and a flowerpot with pen and notebook. This LEGO playset even comes with three stickers featuring thoughtful phrases, which kids can use to decorate the brick-built models.
Lastly, the LEGO® Friends Friendship Camper Van Adventure set provides a great opportunity for role playing fun travels and adventures in the Summer and Fall months. Kids uncover lots of play potential as they open the van to access the detailed interior, where there are spaces for cooking, sleeping and relaxing plus this camping playset includes three minidoll characters and a ferret figure to inspire hours of imaginative storytelling.
FAVORITE MULTI-USE FINDS
From music streaming to audio books, picnic placement to lunch compartments, colorful drawings to purposeful art… all these items have dual uses and are simple to snag off Amazon.
From decorating your camp overnight bags to totes, backpacks, lunch boxes and school supplies, we love chenille varsity letter Alphabet Patches
Whether you are headed to the beach or tailgating at the game, we love filling these Divided Snack Trays or Snackle Boxes with everyone’s favorite treats.
Continuing in the creative space, from journaling about your summer to upcoming classroom projects, and art throughout the year, you can’t go wrong with Faber Castell’s Gelatos Gift Set of water color crayons or the 12 Gel Crayons.
From staying up late to read your favorite books on vacation to those early morning study sessions, we love this rechargeable book lamp. It clips to your book.
For tech and electronics, the Apple Air Pods Pro 2 are a staple. We used on our road trips to listen to audio books and stream music, and will continue into the classroom as ear buds were on our elementary supplies list as needed for future assignments.
From organizing all your toiletries on vacation to keeping school supplies contained, we love this 3-piece pouch set. It is also machine washable.
Cords can be so confusing especially when every device has a different way to plug in, this why the Mokin 9 in 1 Expansion is key because in itself it’s multi-functional with 9 ways to connect electronics.
For all those headed to dorm life, you need a good bathroom caddy and our Narwey Hanging Toiletry Bag works great. We used it on our summer travels and for sleepovers, but gets daily use in the dorm with trips to the shared bathroom and showers.
Whether it’s for helping get chores done or getting out of the house on time, a timer is always helpful in helping the family become more independent.
From going to the high school game to your favorite ball park, this clear tote is great to bring snacks and even a jacket in.
We were gifted product and use commissionable links. All of our thoughts and ideas are our own.
