How to Keep your Kids Busy this Summer

The school year is almost over, and parents, babysitters, and nannies are starting to think about how to entertain kids when they are out of school. Hopefully this blog post can give you some ideas to give your kids and yourself the best summer possible!

This summer, consider having weekly, or even daily times for your activities. Consistent schedules are important for children because they provide a sense of structure and predictability, which can help them feel more secure and confident.

A regular routine can lead to something your child looks forward to and is a great opportunity for steady development. As you think for summer activities, try to have an intentional space where the activity could happen repeatedly. Children will adjust to the consistency and be able to better give attention to the specific activity.

Here are some ideas for children activities this summer:

• Fun and Learning Time
  • Go to the library and pick out books to read together.
  • Have a game night themed after your child’s favorite board game.
  • Make crafts together. For example, use empty cardboard boxes to make pet houses for your child’s favorite stuffed animal.
  • Play dress up or do a fashion show.
  • Give your child something to sort or organize. For example, if you have a big bucket of hair bows, a collection of figures and toys, or play food for a toy kitchen, ask your child to try and separate the objects a certain way. Get creative with the categories!
• Kitchen Time
  • Teach baking and cooking skills and let your child practice following a recipe.
  • Make homemade popsicles using fruit juice or yogurt and freeze in small cups with popsicle sticks.
  • Make personal pizzas and decorate with toppings.
  • Set out a variety of snack foods for build your own trail mix. Kids will love getting to customize their own snacks!
• Park or Outside Time
  • Do a scavenger hunt! For example, ask your child to try and find an object of every color of the rainbow.
  • Make obstacle courses on the pavement with chalk to walk, jump, or ride scooters through.
  • Let your child make tiny houses for bugs or fairies out of bark, leaves, sticks, or rocks.
  • Introduce your child to new sports and try playing them together.
• Quiet Time/ Alone Play
  • Sticker books and workbooks are great for engaging your child’s creativity.
  • Legos and blocks are fun for kids of all ages. Give your child a challenge to build something and then see what they made when the time is over.
  • Build a fort with pillows and blankets. This is a fun activity for children to do in their bedrooms and they can easily incorporate their favorite toys.
  • Listening to audiobooks is a great activity for any level of reading ability.