“SCHOOL’S OUT FOR SUMMER!”
School is out! Yay!
Now what?
Summer can be an amazing time for kids and teens to foster friendships, explore a hobby, catch up on lost sleep, and build new skills, but without a little help, summer is often wasted inside on some electronic device.
Working parents regularly face the difficult decision of what to do with their kids in the summer months. Daycare is expensive, relatives might be too far away to help, and you only have so much vacation time. It is tempting to give in to the easy nature of the screen time babysitter.
Thankfully there are some options for safe, engaging, and beneficial activities this summer that are sure to please.
- Get Them Moving.
“The higher your energy level, the more efficient your body. The more efficient your body, the better you feel and the more you will use your talent to produce outstanding results.”
– Tony Robbins
Children are at their best when they are active. A morning bike ride, a lunch break at the park, or an afternoon at the splash pad will go a long way toward preventing boredom this summer. It doesn’t have to be every day but the more often the better. Don’t be afraid to jump in and have some fun yourself. Children build strong bonds through play and interaction (and so do adults).
2. Summer Camps
Building lasting memories and friendships at summer camp is a time-honored tradition. Macaroni necklaces and campfire songs are part of the quintessential childhood experience. Programs like Camp Koda from the Boys and Girls Club of Elkhart County, and Hero’s Camp at the Potawatomi Zoo are excellent day camps for children to explore their creative sides in a safe and supportive environment without needing overnight stays and expensive tuitions.
3. Trade A Day
The African Proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child” has never been more true than it is today. Trade a day is when a group of mothers, fathers, grandparents, and guardians organize child care. Each will spend one of their days off caring for the group’s children. This often results in well-structured play and a network of adults for children to rely on.
4. Hobby Time
“Giving children the freedom to choose activities, entertainment, and music helps them stimulate their minds and have something to be excited about… Whenever a child finds something that they love that can be theirs, providing it’s not a danger to them, it’s a good thing. It can help them focus on something positive and occupy their time and energy… Childhood passions can help kids avoid drugs, alcohol, vaping. It gives them an alternative to devote their energies to enjoying,”
– David Schwartz
Building a passion for a hobby at a young age drives creativity and a healthy place to spend free time. Does your child enjoy drawing? Take a trip to the art store for a summer journal and have them create one picture a day. Do they prefer writing? Give your child a topic of the day to write about. Maybe your child is more into sports. Have them practice one skill 100 times each day. If your child hasn’t found a hobby yet, even better! Take the summer to explore multiple hobbies. Try something new each week. The most important part is making sure you spend the time each day listening, watching, and caring about what they accomplished. Remember, you are their biggest fan and most important critic.
5. Summer At The Clubs
Your local Boys and Girls Club is an excellent option for summer fun in a safe and supportive environment. Club kids, as they are affectionately called, pay a weekly fee (usually around $50) and spend the day playing sports, exploring hobbies, building friendships with other Club kids, and creating opportunities for mentorship by the staff and volunteers. Did you know Denzel Washington, Jennifer Lopez, Jerry Jones, Hulk Hogan, Jackie Joner-Kersee, Al Roker, Mark Wahlberg, and Michael Jordan were all Club Kids? The Boys and Girls Club is open to everyone and welcomes all kids K-8th grade.
Whatever you choose to do this summer remember your children look forward to spending quality time with you. You are more than just their parent, guardian, or caregiver, you are their hero. They may have a funny way of showing it, but you are their world. Spend a little of each day showing them how much you care.
Comment below with some other ideas you have utilized that we missed on our list. We love hearing ideas from other parents with different perspectives. Feel free to share this post with others, and hopefully, together, we can help end summer boredom.