5 Easy Ways to Hack Your Summer BBQ

5 Great Ways to Beat Summer Boredom

5 Ways to Make Summer the Ultimate Outdoor Adventure

5 Ways to Enjoy Summer with Your Pet

80 Days of Summer means 80 days to celebrate sunshine and the DQ^® brand's 80th birthday with tips and tricks to keep the family smiling all summer long!

Sponsored by DQ^®

5 Easy Ways to Hack Your Summer BBQ

Food Network's tasty tips and DIYs make any summer party a whole lot cooler.

Stay safe and be mindful of social distancing and safety guidelines in your area.
Please supervise your children with this activities.

Tip 1

Create an Inflatable Buffet

An inflatable kiddie pool isn't just for kids (or swimming!) anymore! Blow one up and line it with bubble wrap to help insulate the pool. Then fill with ice – lots of it! – and arrange your veggies, fruit and drinks to keep cool. Your buffet is made in the shade!

Tip 2

Make Seasonal Vases

First, use a melon baller to scoop out the watermelon flesh – frozen watermelon makes great ice cubes! Then, use the hollowed-out melon as a decorative vase to fill with flowers. Cut a scalloped rim, use a vegetable peeler to create stripes, or play with any cookie cutters you have on hand to decorate it. A centerpiece masterpiece!

Tip 3

Craft a DIY Drinks Station

Decorate a mini loaf pan with washi tape. Add some washi flair to stir sticks and place them in one of the loaf compartments. Fill the others with garnishes like sliced citrus and maraschino cherries. Raise your glass!

Tip 4

Make a DIY Luminary

For super-simple yet beautiful décor, fill mason jars with assorted sliced citrus and herbs like rosemary. Fill with water and float a tea light candle on top. A bright idea!

Tip 5

Serve a Sweet Summer Treat!

Close out the BBQ with an Oreo^® Blizzard^® Treat Cake from DQ^®! Your summer picnic just got a whole lot cooler.

80 Days of Summer means 80 days to celebrate sunshine and the DQ^® brand's 80th birthday with tips and tricks to keep the family smiling all summer long!

Sponsored by DQ^®

5 Great Ways to Beat Summer Boredom

Mom-of-nine Courtney Waldrop from Sweet Home Sextuplets shares her family’s best tips to keep the kids busy and smiling all summer long!

Stay safe and be mindful of social distancing and safety guidelines in your area.
Please supervise your children with this activities.

Tip 1

Family Car Wash

A car wash assembly line is a great way to get everyone outside, and the little ones love to play in the water. Make sure to use kid-friendly soap! It’s a win-win – a squeaky clean car and clean kids!

Tip 2

Find a New Hobby

Try crafting or painting even with the littlest artists. Just make sure to use washable paint! Bringing art projects outside makes for easy cleanup. For bigger kids, introduce new games like cornhole. Practice makes perfect!

Tip 3

Start a Water Balloon Fight

Nothing is more fun on a hot day than a water balloon fight! It gets the kids (and parents!) outside and moving. Biodegradable balloons are safe for kids and animals – but make sure you still pick up the pieces.

Tip 4

Plant a Summer Garden

Planting a garden together lets your kids get their hands dirty and learn about plants and flowers. Daisies, mint and rosemary are kid-friendly and easy to maintain. A garden also teaches patience – your kids can watch it grow every day.

Tip 5

Throw a Backyard Bash

Celebrate the end of the summer with a backyard party the whole family will enjoy. A pinata and some fun games will make it fun and festive for any age. Blow bubbles, play music, dance and enjoy sweet treats as the sun sets on another summer.

80 Days of Summer means 80 days to celebrate sunshine and the DQ^® brand's 80th birthday with tips and tricks to keep the family smiling all summer long!

Sponsored by DQ^®

5 Ways to Make Summer the Ultimate Outdoor Adventure

There's nothing like being outdoors in the summertime... and the animals love it too!

Stay safe and be mindful of social distancing and safety guidelines in your area.
Please supervise your children with this activities.

Tip 1

Take to the Trails

You can turn any hike into an adventure! Create a nature scavenger hunt and see who can discover the most plants and animals along the way.

Tip 2

Head to the Water

Summer is a great time for an adventure on the water! Lakes, rivers and the ocean are filled with wildlife. There's nothing like putting your toes in the sand or grass and observing them in their natural habitat.

Tip 3

Take to the Skies

The summer breeze is perfect for flying a kite. Grab a four-legged friend to play catch or other fun activities.

Tip 4

Park It

Local parks have tons of animals! There's plenty of adventure to be had there. Watch them gather their food and frolic in the trees. Birdwatchers won't be disappointed – there are more than 1,100 different species in the United States!

Tip 5

Life Is a Picnic

There's nothing like a summer picnic. Frozen water bottles will keep your snacks chilled and provide some water for later. Pack some fun games, then sit back, relax and toast your fun adventures with a cool treat! Stop by your local DQ^® restaurant via drive-thru or takeout and try one of the flavors from the NEW Summer Blizzard^® Menu, such as the Frosted Animal Cookie Blizzard^® Treat.

80 Days of Summer means 80 days to celebrate sunshine and the DQ^® brand's 80th birthday with tips and tricks to keep the family smiling all summer long!

Sponsored by DQ^®

5 Ways to Enjoy Summer with Your Pet

Summertime means fun for the whole family – including the four-legged members!

Stay safe and be mindful of social distancing and safety guidelines in your area.
Please supervise your children with this activities.

Tip 1

Beat the Heat with a Doggie Pool

If you're hanging out at home, stay cool with a doggie pool! Make sure to choose a pool that's the right size for your pup so he or she can exit easily – and don't leave your dog unattended in any size pool. Another cool tip: Freeze some all-natural, sugar-free peanut butter in a silicone ice cube tray. Your pup will love this DIY treat!

Tip 2

Keep Pups Entertained with Bubbles!

There's no better way to keep your pets entertained all day long than with bubbles. Since dogs love to chase, jump, pop and eat the bubbles, they'll get a ton of exercise. You can find dog-friendly bubbles at your local pet store or use a DIY recipe.

Tip 3

Take a Hike!

Your dog will have a blast because trails offer lots of fun things to see and sniff! Before you go, make sure the trail is dog-friendly, keep your pup on a leash, and remember to follow social distancing guidelines. And always remember to keep your dog – and yourself – hydrated! There are so many lightweight collapsible dog bowls out there that are easy to bring along.

Tip 4

Set Up an Agility Course

Set up an agility course in your own backyard to keep your dog limber! You can also use the opportunity to get in a little training. Your pup will have so much fun, he or she won't even notice. See, you CAN teach an old dog new tricks!

Tip 5

Explore the Neighborhood

Explore your neighborhood by foot – and paws! It's a great way for both you and your pup to get exercise. And the asphalt keeps his nails trimmed as he runs. But, be aware of the heat of the pavement – if it's too hot for your paws, it's too hot for theirs! Bring toys and treats along to practice leash manners and skills.