For so many kids, summer vacation gets underway in celebration, shouting in joyful excitement as the final bell rings, ending school. But, let us be honest, for so many parents, a healthy dose of relief is immediately followed by a healthy dose of terror regarding what to do with bored kids during those long, dull summer afternoons. After all, without a school schedule to provide a healthy foundation of structure, kids can easily slip away into patterns of boredom, spending far too many hours a day in front of a screen.
Through this guide, we will examine just what it takes to transform a dull summer afternoon into a day to remember!
Exploring the Great Outdoors
One of the most important aspects of getting the kids out into the fresh air is the best way to work off the excess energy that your child has, not to mention significantly improve the child’s mood. Taking the kids on a nature adventure is a great way to do just that.
The basic premise behind the activity is that instead of walking around the block with the kids, you give them a mission. You make a list of the different items that they need to search for, such as a sample of a given type of oak leaf, a smooth white rock, and a feather. Not only will they be able to explore the world that they live in instead of merely walking through it, they also have the option to include a sketchbook to sketch what they observe during the exercise activity.
For an even more immersive experience, try making your own camping in your backyard. There is no need to travel to a park in order to have the great experience of sleeping in the stars. You have fun in sleeping in your tent in your backyard without having to load your car with all your camping equipment and travel to an away place. You have the experience of roasting marshmallows in campfires, flashlight storytelling, and listening to crickets. This activity changes their perspective on their surroundings.
During high temperatures, water is the best remedy. Water balloon fights are common in summer and are a guaranteed source for laughter. Although a free water balloon fight is always exciting, organizing the game will allow them to develop some coordination and team spirit. One could organize a game of relay races in which they have to toss the water balloon on a spoon or play the game of toss and catch in which they will take a step back for each successful catch.
Kindling Imagination Inside
There will definitely be days when it is either too hot or raining to go out. This is the ideal time to switch to creative activities. Arts and crafts activities are a great way to help children with their fine motor skills. You would need to create a collage corner with old magazines, or make use of old cardboard boxes to construct castles and forts. You could also paint the rocks from the nature walks to connect the two types of play.
Exercise doesn’t have to take place in the backyard. Another excellent way to get them moving around inside would be to have them dance. Clear out a good bit of furniture in the family room, and have them dance. Play a fun playlist, and let them have at it. You could do freeze dance, and you could have them choreograph and dance later on in the evening. Or, sign them up for a Friendswood summer camp, and they’ll soon meet others with similar interests.
For mind stimulation, you can encourage them to participate in storytelling exercises. Engage your kids in writing a short story about a superhero who has an ability or a day-in-the-life account from a pet’s perspective. Even if your kids are too young to write, this activity is essential to learn new words through oral storytelling. This activity can be done through completing a story you have started or building a story together.
Finally, use the kitchen to create a laboratory for homemade science projects. Activities such as baking a soda volcano or slime provide an excellent learning tool for the concept of cause-and-effect. Not to mention the fact that these experiences in the classroom can be even more valuable because they see the results of what they learn in a textbook.
Making Summer Memorable
It doesn’t take much to keep the kids entertained during the summer months. It is often the simplest ideas that produce the greatest memories. The key to a well-rounded summer is to mix physical activity with mental pursuits. Choose something from the list above to attempt. Their imagination will soar!
