Summer can present itself to be a great time for kids, or can turn into a daily grind of trying to find things to do. Here are 10 super ideas to help keep busy!
How will you spend your summer days with the kids? Some families are so busy that summer will fly by too quickly, while others will find themselves scrounging for things to do just to keep from hearing, "Mom, I'm bored." Tweens are at an age where they are too young to spend an entire day alone in the house, but too old to enjoy daycare activities, unless they are really thought out and geared for this age group. They want to experience more than just doing crafts and playing basketball all day. So, here are some options you might want to consider.
- Check out your local parks and recreation organization. They usually plan day camps and host activities like fishing events, hiking trails, or sports camps.
- See what is happening at your local YMCA this summer. They offer classes in all kinds of skilled events, like Tae Kwon Do, swimming lessons, and tennis lessons (just to name a few).
- Museums usually offer day camps, as well. If your child likes art and sculpting, then this would make a great fit.
- Summer enrichment classes can be a good idea, if your child has a subject that he needs to brush up on before moving to the next grade level. Public schools offer these classes, as well as tutoring centers that have cropped up in the last couple of years.
- Plan a vacation with the family. Spend some quality time with your tween this summer. While working is very necessary, so is the ability to take a week off and relax with the ones you love.
- A trip to grandma's house for a week would be fun (or any other relative). It gives your child a new outlook on family life, and breaks up being home all summer.
- Sleepovers are a lot of fun. Invite two or three guests, plan a movie, some popcorn, and even throw in a video game competition. Next time, have the sleepover at another person's house.
- Have a water day in your backyard. Plan for water balloon tosses, super soaker battles, a slip-n-slide. Anything that keeps the kids moving and jumping.
- Libraries generally offer reading programs in the summer. After meeting a goal, your child can win prizes. Another idea is sign him up for a book club, where he will read a book and then meet with the other kids that read the same book to discuss it and have refreshments together.
- Cooking is usually a high interest activity for tweens. Buy lots of ingredients and a kid's cookbook. Let your child plan a dinner or two for the family this summer. There are some great recipes right here on Suite101. Check them out.
For more things to do check out this article for 24 more ideas!
