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Summer is a time of excitement and eager anticipation for kids as they wait for the moment it begins. For parents, their feelings can be a bit mixed, unfortunately. Parents cannot wait to spend more time with their children. And yet. Whether parents work outside of the home, remotely from home, or are full-time parents, they still have other obligations, and having the kids out of school for the whole summer without a reprieve can be nerve-wracking at times. Luckily, there is a way to create balance. Keep reading for some fun summertime inspiration that will make everyone happy.
Send the kids to summer camp.
Camp is a memorable experience. Just ask anyone who has ever been. Give your kids the gift of fun by finding great Summer Camps and sending them on their way. Depending on your comfort level and their respective ages, consider a half-day, full-day, or week-long overnight camp.
Summer camp is a good way to let kids spread their wings away from parents and the rigors of schoolwork. They are still in a controlled and structured environment but get to try new things and meet new people. Look for a camp that offers something your child already enjoys or wants to learn more about. You can find camps for various sports, arts and crafts, equine activities, music, and cooking. Talk to your kids about their interests and go from there.
Create a neighborhood activity co-op.
When you have people in your neighborhood that you trust and enjoy, with children in your children’s age range, you have hit the jackpot. Consider creating a neighborhood summer camp co-op where every week one parent takes all of the kids and gives the other parents a break during working hours.
Sit down before summer begins and make a list of skills that each parent has. The kids will have a great time playing together throughout the day, but if you give them some structured activities and the chance to learn something new, the experience will be even better. If one mom is an expert at rope tying, she can teach that skill. If a dad knows how to garden, this is a fun way to introduce container gardens to kids. Find a way to teach kids life skills while keeping everyone busy and learning new life skills together.
Plan a staycation.
If you have never taken the time to explore your city and surrounding areas, now is the time. Whether you have limited time, a limited budget, or just do not want to travel very far this summer, you probably still have an abundance of fun things to do in your hometown. With that in mind, now is the perfect moment to plan a staycation.
Start by looking at your city and state’s official tourism website. Find things for visitors and tourists to do and then make a list. Try local sporting events, concerts, museums, and festivals. Book a night or a weekend at a nearby resort and pretend you are new to the city. Make a game of it and try new restaurants and experiences. Get outside with a real map. Walk around and let your kids decide where to go next, what little shop to pop into, or what ice cream parlor you just have to try. You will be amazed by what you learn about your hometown.
Watch this video for helpful tips and insight on how to have a great staycation.
Go on a geocaching adventure.
If you have not heard of it, geocaching is an outdoor activity where the participants use GPS coordinates to locate items left by other geocachers. Sometimes, you are simply on a hunt for a location. Once you find your coordinates, the kids will either take the small item they find and leave one of their own or write their initials on a small scroll of paper to mark their arrival.
Geocaching is an easy way to get outside and explore your city or while on vacation in a new one. The tools of the trade are easy. You need good walking shoes, sunscreen, a smartphone with the Geocaching app downloaded for free, a pencil, and small trinkets such as erasers or similarly-sized items to leave. There are even adventures on the official geocaching website that kids can log and track to show their achievements.
Turn off the screens and devices.
Sometimes, keeping kids busy means powering down technology. Today’s kids live in an always-on world that pushes content at them 24/7. Use summertime as an opportunity to turn everything off and let them be bored for a while.
If you are comfortable allowing them to roam the neighborhood, this is a good way to instill responsibility and allow a little freedom, as appropriate for their age, of course. If you would rather they play in the backyard, consider adding a play structure or a ninja-style rope course to keep them active and occupied. You can even make the task of putting together the play structure a family activity to teach skills and enjoy more time together.
Go on a day trip.
Occasionally, all you need is to get a little further afield. This is when a day trip makes sense. Gather your family and conduct an internet search for “cities one hour from [your city name here]” and see what comes up. You can even incorporate some artificial intelligence into the process by using AI to create a day trip for you. This is an opportunity to teach your kids responsible ways to incorporate AI into their lives.
Back to the day trip, once you find a city or two of interest, look at what they have to offer. Maybe they have a renowned pastry cafe or a lake with paddle boats. The point is to look for fun things to do that will create joy and new memories together.
Go ahead and schedule your kids for summer camp, create your own neighborhood camps, and then go on an adventure. You never know what exciting activities or life lessons await until you start. Make this summer one to remember.
*This article is based on personal suggestions and/or experiences and is for informational purposes only. This should not be used as professional advice. Please consult a professional where applicable.