While your kids are probably excited about kissing homework and early-morning alarms goodbye, many parents find Summer Vacations daunting as it means they have to find endless ways to keep their kids entertained – or else face hearing the phrase “I’m bored” on an endless rotation!
Photo by Vitolda Klein on Unsplash
With that in mind, here are some fun summertime activities that you can use to keep boredom at bay!
Get Crafty.
Arts & craft-based activities could provide your children with endless hours of fun – while also encouraging them to tap into their creativity and use their imagination. Furthermore, the work they complete in your craft sessions are great to hold onto as they get older, or they can be handed out as gifts for special occasions.
Furthermore, this is the perfect activity for a rainy day when you’d otherwise be stuck indoors with nothing to do!
Start your own book club.
According to the National Literacy Trust, just 51.5% of 8 to 18 year olds enjoy reading – while this is an increase from previous years, as parents, it’s crucial that we work to increase this figure. After all, there are many benefits associated with reading, especially in our younger years. For example, it can heighten our imagination while also improving our comprehension skills and understanding of the world.
One way in which you can make reading a #1 summertime activity within your home is by starting your own book club. Each week, choose a different book to read as a family – and meet to discuss it afterward. Not only does this encourage your child to pick up a book, but it’s also a fun challenge and something you can do together!
Go for a hike.
Hiking is another great summertime activity that the whole family can enjoy. After all, it encourages you to stay active and means you can spend some time ‘unplugged’ and away from your screens. Furthermore, it provides you with ample opportunity to teach your children more about the world around them – whether you discuss the environment or write down all of the different animals and insects you come across!
However, it’s important that you choose a hike that is child-friendly, and you should also be sure to pack plenty of snacks, water, and sunscreen! This way, you can stay safe while exploring.
Learn something new.
Children have an undeniable thirst for knowledge – in fact, we often learn more in our formative years than we do at any other stage of development. As a parent, it’s vital that you nurture this part of your child – as it will help them to perform well in school and later in life. One way to do so is to find ways to encourage them to use that big brain of theirs!
For example, you could print out educational Worksheets designed by teachers and spend an afternoon learning something new together. For example, you could focus on a topic your child already enjoys or an area in which they may need to improve upon.
Host a ‘Film Festival.”
At-home movie nights are a great, inexpensive activity that children are sure to love – especially if you’re well-equipped when it comes to snacks (Popcorn, anyone?) However, you could elevate your typical movie night by turning your home into a movie theatre and hosting a film festival!
For example, you could each choose a film you’d like to watch and put together a ‘schedule’ and create your own cinema stubs. This makes the entire night seem that much more fun and engaging!
Afterward, be sure to talk about the films you’ve watched and what you may have learned from them. This is a great way to encourage your children to be more perceptive!
Cooking up a storm.
Encouraging your children to develop a love of baking or cooking is another useful skill that they will carry with them for a lifetime (and could help them avoid kitchen disasters as an adult). As such, you should opt to spend some time in the Kitchen together this summer, whether you’re making Unicorn Cookies or Cookie Dough cupcakes.
Build a den in your garden.
If you have enough outdoor space, building a den in your garden or yard could provide your children with endless hours of fun. You’d be surprised about how much more time they’ll spend outdoors if they have their own private den to retreat to!
However, be sure you’re on hand during the actual building process to ensure they are safe! Remember, dens can be built out of anything you have around the garden or in your home – such as blankets, pillows, and furniture!
Visit the museum.
Visiting a local museum can once again help your children learn more about the world around them, especially if you visit a facility with interactive exhibits or a space designed specifically for children. Another benefit of visiting the museum is the fact that most are free to enter, which means that you don’t have to break the bank to enjoy a fun day out as a family.
You could also encourage them to solidify their knowledge when they get home by writing down some of the facts they learned. After all, we’re more likely to retain information this way!
Have a water balloon fight.
When the sun is shining, it’s important that you help your children find a way to cool down – and what better way to do that than with a water fight?
As such, you may want to organize a fun water fight for your child and their friends this summer. Your kids will be thrilled to see you getting involved in the fun instead of sitting on the sidelines – especially if they get the chance to throw a water balloon at you.
However, you should also make sure that you host a safe water fight. Don’t use water directly from a hose if it’s been in direct sunlight, as this could mean that hot water pours out instead of cold water. You should also ensure that you’re careful not to slip and fall!
Go Camping.
Heading out on a Summer Vacation is another great way to occupy your kids’ school-free days. However, if a trip abroad is not possible due to your budget this year, why not stay a little closer to home? Camping trips are fun and inexpensive and provide you all with the opportunity to get up close and personal with nature. You could even camp out in your garden if needed!
Of course, if you are heading out camping – ensure you’re prepared. Bring along plenty of snacks, and practice putting up your tent ahead of time. You should also ensure that you’ve got an idea of how to keep campers entertained on rainy days – as while it’s guaranteed you’ll have fun when camping, you aren’t always guaranteed nice weather!
Let them decide your activity for the day.
Children love to feel like mature, responsible grown-ups! As such, putting them in charge of their summer schedule or letting them choose a family activity is a great way to fulfill this wish and keep a smile on their face. After all, they’re bound to choose an activity they enjoy, as opposed to rolling their eyes when you give a suggestion of your own.
This may be particularly useful for parents who feel as though their children’s interests change day by day (or even hour by hour), and it could help you all uncover a new activity or hobby that you love.
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