Summer with Your Kids
It’s the end of the school year! No more homework tantrums or sports practices. No more rushing every morning to make it on time to school. Freedom is here! Oh, wait–there are two words that kids tend to repeat during the summer break: “I’m bored!” Whether you’re a working woman or a stay-at-home mom, you might encounter a day when you don’t know how to entertain your kids while they’re out of school.
Consider a few of the following ideas to enjoy during the summer with your kids. It’s important to consider the age range of each child, because some activities might be boring for the older kids while the simpler ideas prove positively fantastic for the younger ones.
Plan ahead
If you don’t spend most of your time at home, we recommend keeping a calendar listing the activities you want to try. That way you can prepare ahead of time. You and your children can sit down together and discuss the kinds of activities they want to experience. If you’re on a budget, it’s essential that you limit your activities to the ones that are home-based or don’t require too much
out-of-pocket expense.
Attend a “story time” at your closest library
Almost every library in town hosts book readings; children of all ages enjoy learning about different subjects. Take advantage of their natural curiosity and check out books for them. Allow older kids to choose one or two for themselves. This summer fun experience will help them develop good reading habits in the future.
Catch a movie at the dollar theater
There always seems to be one movie that you and your children didn’t get around to seeing. Take advantage of a matinee during the week when flicks are less costly…and splurge on some popcorn to share!
Sprinkler Day
This can be the perfect excuse to get the bathing suits out and have fun jumping through the sprinklers on a hot day. This means you, too, Mom! You can water the garden while the hose is on and take some time to talk to them about water conservation and other conservation topics.
Make homemade play-dough
This activity is fun even for adults. It’s a form of relaxation because of the waythe dough is kneaded and pounded–and it even serves as aromatherapy! Working with Play-Dough can help calm anxiety and teach children that crafts don’t have to come from a store to be fun (see recipe).
Bake a cake: Kids love sweets!
Why not have them cook their favorite cake and surprise mom or dad when they arrive home one afternoon?
Play entrepreneur
Plan a garage sale inwhich your children sell their unwanted items, or set up a lemonade stand. You can get together with some other parents to help with the sales.
Go bowling: Bowling is one of those activities that can bring family together. Invite your friends and family!
“Table games” day: Many kids don’t realize how to play games without a computer. Break out the old-fashioned board games, including memory games, poker, chess and others.
Volunteering: Lots of organizations in our city recruit volunteers over the summer. For example, the El Paso Museum of Art is accepting applications from teens 14 years and older.
Play “My Favorite Rock”: Use the rocks in your back yard as craft items. Take children on a rock hunt. Have them pick a rock they like and decorate it with acrylic paint in the color of their choice. You can use them as patio decorations.
These are only a few activities that you and your kids can try. You’ll think of even more as summer marches on. Remember that what’s most important is the love you give them and the time you spend together.
It’s the end of the school year! No more homework tantrums or sports practices. No more rushing every morning to make it on time to school. Freedom is here! Story continues…
Most Popular Articles
Recent Articles