Ellie Kemper's actual summer strategy: A costume bin and zero guilt

July 17, 2026 - 21:16

Actress Ellie Kemper is getting real about summer parenting, and her strategy is a refreshing break from the pressure to create a perfect, Pinterest-worthy season. Her secret weapon? A costume bin that is always open for business.

Kemper, known for her roles in "The Office" and "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt," says the key to keeping kids entertained without losing her mind is embracing low-effort, high-imagination play. She keeps a large bin filled with old Halloween costumes, thrift store finds, and random accessories accessible at all times. The rule is simple: kids can raid it whenever they want. No scheduled craft time, no elaborate setup. Just pure, unstructured dress-up.

She also admits to skipping any craft project that feels like more trouble than it is worth. If the cleanup involves glitter that will haunt the house for months or requires a trip to the store for specialty supplies, she passes. Kemper argues that the guilt parents feel over not providing constant enrichment is unnecessary. Instead, she focuses on activities that allow for independence and mess that can be easily contained.

Her philosophy is a welcome dose of reality for parents feeling the summer burnout. By ditching the guilt and leaning into simple, open-ended play, she proves that a happy summer might just start with a box of old costumes and a firm "no" to glue guns.