Although the summer break might feel like a long way off yet, it’s still a good idea to start thinking about how you can keep the kids occupied when school ends for the academic year. While spending time with their friends and family can certainly be enriching and a fun experience for them, thinking about other projects or activities you can get them involved in can also be beneficial for their development. It’s an opportunity to give them something positive to focus on alongside enjoying their break from school, and it may even inspire them to try new things or discover a new passion even once they return in the Fall. If you’re a parent who wants to keep your kids busy while they are on summer break, here are some suggestions you might find interesting.
- Volunteering Programs
This can be a great idea for teens who might be considering how to boost their college applications and resumes for when they graduate high school. Volunteering could not only help their prospects for higher education, but it’s also a perfect opportunity to learn more about the world and understand the importance of giving back. They might develop new skills, build their knowledge regarding specific issues, and even make new friends. Some programs even allow young adults to travel and see other parts of the world, which can be another excellent opportunity. Even if they only volunteer at a local center for a couple of days a week, this can still be a great way to spend some of their time over the summer break and keep them occupied.
- Summer Camps
Summer camps can be another fantastic option for kids, and older teens might even be interested in returning as camp counselors. There will be plenty of fun activities for kids to get up to in a safe environment, and they will make new friends and have plenty of stories to tell when they get back. If you aren’t sure about sending your kid away for a few weeks, or they would prefer to stay at home, you can still find other summer camps that require attendance during the day but allow kids to return home at night. Some also revolve around specific activities and sports that could be ideal for children with particular passions, such as youth basketball training programs, for example.
- Discover the Family Tree
Learning about your ancestry can be very interesting, and this is a project you can work on alongside your children. They might be fascinated to learn about a distant relative or trace their roots back to a certain place and learn more about that culture. It may also spark an interest in history and different cultures that can benefit your children’s academic and personal development as they get older.
- Garden Projects
Another option to explore if you are trying to keep your kids occupied in the summertime is looking at starting some gardening projects with them. This can be another educational venture that teaches them about horticulture and biology as you grow various plants with them. It can also be used as an excellent way to discuss the importance of nutrition, particularly if you choose to grow some fruits, vegetables, or herbs with them, creating a mini kitchen garden. They could use these home-grown ingredients for cooking up some delicious treats with you, too, which is another fun family activity to keep them entertained. If growing plants isn’t your thing, why not consider getting them to help you to build a tree house that they can turn into their fortress of solitude outdoors instead?
- Create a Reading Challenge for Them
This option is excellent for those who are interested in developing their child’s literacy skills as well as trying to inspire a love of reading in them. Books can be a great way to escape and learn about the world, both in fiction and non-fiction titles. Set your kids a challenge to read a certain number of books throughout the summer break, and discuss each story with them afterward to learn about what they liked or didn’t like about it. You could even get them to do some creative writing and see if this is something that they will become passionate about.
Keeping the kids entertained can be challenging at the best of times, but when you have the long stretch of the summer break, it can feel even more daunting. Although you might be excited to enjoy a family vacation or some fun days out together, think about the suggestions above and see if these projects can keep your kids occupied and happy during this period.
