Great Ideas for Keeping the Kids Busy This Summer

Summer time presents parents with a unique challenge, like how to keep their children busy and not moping around the house constantly looking for something to do.

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It is something every parent has to deal with, from the day school lets out until they go back at the end of summer.

Here are some great ideas to keep your children busy and excited about new activities all summer long.

Swim lessons

Your kids love going to the pool for an afternoon of swimming and splashing. And as a parent, you worry about their safety, while goofing off in the shallow end. Enrolling your child in swimming lessons is a win-win.

Your child will learn to be a stronger swimmer, which will ease your mind, and they will get even more time in the water. According to www.SwimJim.com, the right swimming instructor will make learning how to swim and about water safety seem more like fun than a learning experience.

No matter what level swimmer your child is, they will benefit from additional swimming lessons to hone their skills and give you peace of mind.

Progressive picnics

Organize a progressive afternoon picnic with some of the other neighbors in your areas. You are not the only parent with children that need to be entertained this summer, so why not collaborate together on a fun activity that will hold your children’s attention.

On a special day, each neighbor will be responsible for one course of a progressive picnic. All of the children will join together and make their way from backyard to backyard, enjoying a picnic lunch. At the first picnic spot, they might enjoy an appetizer of carrot sticks and apple slices.

The next might have a special selection of drinks set up. An older sibling can accompany younger children from house to house or the parent from the last picnic spot can walk with them to the next. Courses can include an appetizer, drinks, entrees, sides, salads, desserts and anything else you can think of adding up to the neighbors of parents involved.

Children will love visiting with their friends, and the opportunity to dine outside on something their mom did not fix every bite of.

Themed reading program

Most schools and public libraries will offer a summer reading program, and now is the time to take advantage. Sometimes, getting your kids to read can be challenging. All children have a special interest from bugs and horses to sports and pirates.

This year, choose a theme with your child and help them select books that go along with their curiosities and interests.

Your child’s interest will be longer-lasting if the book is about a subject that interests them already. You can set goals and award small prizes at various benchmarks based on the child’s age.

Stickers or a bookmark can make wonderful, inexpensive prizes your children will love when they match the theme of their books. This can help your child develop a love for reading and will provide them with hours of enjoyment and keep their attention.

Themed movie night

There are many great children’s movies available for rent. Allow your child to pick their favorite movie for a themed movie night. They can invite several of their closest friends for an evening of fun and movies. Each child could come dressed as a favorite character and act like that character throughout the night.

Or you can create some games or craft activities based on the movie with very little cost. After playing games and enjoying some movie-themed snacks, spread blankets and pillows on the floor for a couple of hours of movie fun.

This will work with most any age child, including those hard-to-please teenagers. The toddler crowd might not be able to act out the character parts, but they will certainly love dressing the part of a princess or prince.

This summer, there is no reason both you and your kids should be cooped up and bored. Take time now to plan some fun summer activities for those boring days. You’ll have all winter to get back into a routine, so have fun now enjoying spontaneity and creative activities to keep your kids busy and active.