Summer is upon us. The sun is shining, the days are longer, and the children are ready to go. Are you out of ideas, yet? Are your children getting bored? Can we add some educational activities or should we keep it all fun? Whether you are looking to wander through a forest preserve or create a crayon masterpiece inside, there are so many ways to make the most of this summer
Benefits of engaging in fun activities with your children
During the summer, our routines seem to disappear. Don’t worry, this is the perfect time to step back, slow down, and enjoy your little ones. Create some memories while you are helping them grow and thrive.
Engaging in fun summer activities can:
- Enhance creativity and problem-solving skills
- Promote physical fitness and healthy habits
- Strengthen family bonds and create lasting connections
- Cultivate a love for learning and exploration
- Provide opportunities for hands-on, experiential education
Take advantage of this beautiful time of the year to nurture their curiosity as you help them discover the joys of learning in relaxed and playful ways.
Outdoor summer activities for kids
The great outdoors offers many possibilities for summer fun and learning. From exploring a different local park each week, to hiking trails, or even going on camping adventures, there are countless ways to release your children into the natural world.
Most of my family’s favorite memories are from our summer camping trips. My boys waded through streams, hiked up mountain trails, chopped the logs for our campfires, and enjoyed nights under the star-filled sky in multiple national parks. They learned about themselves and the world around them. These memories are still talked about when we get together.
Have you ever been on a scavenger hunt with your children? Create a list of items to find, such as different types of leaves, interesting rocks, or even small creatures like insects or birds. This not only gets the kids excited about their surroundings but also encourages them to observe and think critically about the world around them.
Another fun outdoor activity is setting up a backyard obstacle course. You can use everyday items like hula hoops, pool noodles, and even cardboard boxes to create a fun and challenging course for the kids to navigate. You can help them or set them free to create anything they can imagine. This not only promotes physical activity but also fosters problem-solving and creative thinking.
Indoor summer activities for kids
While the great outdoors offer endless possibilities, some days you just want to stay inside. Keep that technology turned off and let their creative juices flow.
Find all your art supplies and let your children create. Read a book together to inspire ideas. Look out your windows for inspiration. Draw. Color. Paint. Create collages. Create robots. Just create.
A great go-to indoor activity is setting up a DIY science lab. Gather various household items, such as baking soda, vinegar, food coloring, and even balloons, and encourage the kids to experiment and observe the results. This hands-on approach to science not only sparks their curiosity but also helps them understand basic scientific principles in a fun and interactive way. If you’ve never thrown together a batch of ooblick, this is the perfect opportunity to give it a try.
Another favorite indoor activity is hosting a family movie night with a twist or two. Instead of just watching a movie, incorporate related crafts, such as making movie-themed snacks or creating their own movie tickets and popcorn boxes. Then find some large boxes and have your children make ‘cars’ for your very own drive-in theater. This not only keeps the kids engaged but also allows them to use a bit of energy before the relaxing evening together.
Educational summer activities for kids
While summer is a time for relaxing fun, you can add in some learning and they’ll never know. Children yearn to try new things and are naturally curious. Keep their minds active and engaged.
One way to do this is by exploring local museums, zoos, or science centers. Many offer exhibits and programs made just for children. We’ve played with giant bubble machines, explored an old submarine, wandered through butterflies, held sea urchins, and learned all about wolves as they howled in the nighttime distance.
Have you heard of the “million word gap”?
Ohio State’s Crane Center for Early Childhood Research has found that…
“young children whose parents read them five books a day enter kindergarten having heard about 1.4 million more words than kids whose parents never read to them.”
The Child Mind Institute explains why reading is so important…
“Reading to young children is an important way to help them build language skills. It exposes them to new words and ways of using language. It also helps them learn general information about the world, which makes it easier for them to learn about new subjects once they get to school.”
One summertime staple in our house has been to join your local library’s summer reading challenge. Whether or not your child can read yet, find books to read aloud together. Also, what better memories to share than snuggling up on the couch with a book? Check out 100 Books Before Kindergarten. If you’d like to keep the challenge going all year long.
Planning your summer activities with your children
As you begin to plan your summer activities, it’s important to involve your children in the process. This not only helps them feel invested in the activities but also allows them to explore their own interests and preferences.
Start by sitting down with your kids and brainstorming a list of activities they would enjoy. This could include outdoor adventures, indoor projects, or even educational experiences. Encourage them to share their ideas and be open to their suggestions – you might be surprised by the creative and engaging activities they come up with.
Once you have a list of potential activities, work together to create a plan or schedule. If you’re anything like my family, a tight schedule was never quite followed in the summer. We made our weekly idea list and posted it. As part of your nighttime routine, set aside a minute or two to choose 3 ideas the next day. Maybe it’ll be a library, park, picnic day. Or it could be a zoo day and the must sees are the lions, monkeys, and dolphins. Don’ forget those laundry, books, art project kind of days. Gather what you need when the kids are asleep and you are ready to go when the sun comes up. Remember that unexpected events or spontaneous adventures sometimes make the best memories..
Boredom can be a great thing
Last but definitely not least is allow time for your children to be bored. I came across a great article from the Melbourne Child Psychology & School Psychology Services about the benefits of boredom. “A creative imagination and problem solving ability are important life skills, so it’s good for children to have these moments of ‘boredom’ and having to find ways to entertain themselves.” Turn off the electronics and let their imaginations take flight. The Benefits of Boredom
Just make the most of summer with fun and even a few educational activities for your children.
The summer months offer you time to connect with our children, foster their learning, and create cherished memories. By engaging in fun and educational activities, you can help your little ones grow, explore, and discover the world around them.
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What are some of your favorite summer activities? Share them with us below!
