Fun ways to keep kids occupied over summer break
Kids look forward to summer vacation every year. The last day of school gives way to less structured days when kids can spend more time outdoors and less time cracking the books.
Summer vacation can be a dilemma for parents, especially in households where both parents work full time. A pandemic-related increase in remote working has made that problem somewhat more manageable, but even parents working from home must find fun way for kids to stay occupied until the new school year begins. No two kids are the same, so parents may need to try various activities on for size until they find something their children enjoy doing during the lazy days of summer.
Day camp: Day camps provide much of the structure of school without all the homework or time spent indoors. Many parks and recreation departments run summer day camps for kids. Camps can be generalized or specialized. For example, some may offer an array of activities, including sports and nature walks, in a given day, while others may focus on a single activity, like musical lessons or sciencebased programs. Camps run by local parks and rec departments do not typically last all summer long, which parents should keep in mind when enrolling youngsters.
Reading: Parents may be surprised by how much their children enjoy a good book. A recent poll from the National Education Association found that 70% of middle school students read more than 10 books a year. The National Literacy Trust reports that roughly 45% of children between the ages of 8 and 11 enjoy reading “very much.” When suggesting to children that they read more this summer, parents can note the many ways that reading for pleasure differs from reading for school. Point out that kids won’t have to submit book reports and emphasize that they can choose their own books.
Find something free: Perhaps in recognition of the need for affordable, family-friendly fare, many communities now host free events for kids and their parents each week. Weekly movie nights under the stars and concerts in community squares are popular in many communities, but those same towns also may host events specifically for kids during the daytime. A simple internet search of “free events near me” may unveil a host of activities that can keep kids happy and occupied on summer days when their schedules are open. Local libraries can be great resources for free events as well.