Plenty of fun for kids in, and out of, the sun
Q: My kids have now hit that time of the summer when they are saying, “We’re bored!” Any suggestions?
A: Yes! July is National Anti-Boredom Month. While most adults cannot remember the last time they were bored, kids might need a little help in keeping themselves entertained. There are many fun things to do this summer that might provide benefit to your kids, as well as to others.
Summer is a great time to volunteer. There are many volunteer opportunities for kids, teens and adults, ranging from gardening, reading and tutoring to working with animals, helping to get food to those in need, and more. Volunteering can instill a sense of purpose and is a wonderful way to give back to our community, and can be a lot of fun. The ABQ Volunteers section of the cabq.gov website is a nice resource to find an opportunity that might be a good fit for your family.
Not only can kids help in our community, but
also they can help out at home. Giving kids chores, or “jobs,” to do at home enables them to be contributing members of the family and can instill a sense of responsibility while encouraging development of initiative that will provide them lifelong benefit. Even preschool-aged kids can enjoy participating in activities to help around the house (such as picking up toys, meal preparation and helping with laundry). Older kids and teens can cook, take care of the pets, collect and take out trash, and help with dishes. While completing chores may require some reminders from parents, supporting these activities at home can help encourage independence and self-worth.
The summer reading program, “Libraries Rock,” through the Albuquerque library system, runs through July 28. This is a great, and free, way to encourage your kids to keep up their reading skills, earn prizes and avoid too much screen. There are also many free events for the entire family to enjoy, from performances to crafting. A fantastic program through the public library system, called “Read to the Dogs,” provides a fun and relaxing opportunity for young readers to practice reading aloud to certified therapy dogs. Not only does this help improve their reading fluency and confidence, but also can contribute to higher reading levels and school success. The library also has a little known ukulele program. You can check out ukes, cds, instruction books, simple songs AND attend free multigenerational jam sessions/singalongs at various locations. Check out abqlibrary.org/home for more information.
Go outside and move! Heading outdoors before it gets too hot is a great way to start the day. Albuquerque has many parks, trails and open space just waiting to be explored. Remember to make sure you are drinking plenty of water and are protecting your skin from New Mexico’s intense sun. Generously apply broad spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen or higher every 2 hours, and don’t forget sunglasses and a broad-brimmed hat. There are also many community centers throughout the city that have programs for kids and teens. Albuquerque’s parks and community centers are often locations for the Free Summer Meals program which provides free meals to all kids from 1 to 18 years old. Many locations provide both breakfast and lunch. See summerfoodnm. org for more information.
Once the heat of the day has eased off, head out to enjoy a free outdoor movie. Bring your folding chair or blankets and head out to Civic Plaza for Movies on the Plaza, or various locations around the city to enjoy Movies in the Park. There are a variety of family-friendly movies being shown throughout the rest of the summer. Food truck vendors are available, and you can bring food and drinks from home, as well. Check albuquerquecc.com and abqtodo.com, or call (505) 314-0477 for more details.
While it is easy during the summer for kids and teens to get more than their fair share of screen time, the unscheduled time is a great opportunity to get together and interact. Your kids may have many “followers” on Instagram or “friends” on Snapchat, but this does not make up for the importance of interpersonal relationships. Social media use has affected our mental health in contributing to increased rates of depression and is impacting our kids’ ability to have meaningful relationships. Now, more than ever, our kids need the support of their families and friends. July 30 is the International Day of Friendship. Encourage or facilitate your kids getting together with friends and challenge them to have some screen-free time together.
Here’s to a fun, fruitful summer! Melissa Mason is a general pediatrician with Journey Pediatrics in Albuquerque. Please send your questions to her at melissaemason@ gmail.com.