Plan and Schedule. This can be a very loose, flexible schedule, it doesn’t have to be planned to the day or minute but kids do better when they know what to expect and what is expected of them. Maybe every Monday you watch a movie, every Tuesday you have a picnic or try a new recipe, Wednesdays you go to a pool or splash pad, Thursday you have a playdate with a friend, and Fridays you do something FUN or adventurous! Or maybe you want to structure each day as in the first part of the day the kids need to read or create art or contribute to the home in some way before they have a choice on what to play, watch, or do. Maybe you have scheduled screen times and scheduled break times and scheduled play times. Do what works for your family and let the kids give their suggestions or ideas too.
Get outside and get moving. Kids need to move. That is the bottom line. If you don’t provide them with an opportunity to exercise and experience movement, they will get sucked into the screens and have more difficulty regulating their emotions. Every day should include some kind of movement. I recommend at least 30 minutes of movement or outside time twice a day if your schedule and the weather allows. You can set up obstacle courses, go to parks/playgrounds, go on bike rides or nature walks, go to a splash pad, swimming pool or aquatic center, whatever is convenient and enjoyable for you and your children. Sidewalk chalk, sand toys, or bubbles can also be used right at home in the driveway or backyard for kids of multiple ages. You can get a membership at a gym or the YMCA or simply walk your neighborhood each day for free. You can even take your meals outside during the summer, why not have breakfast, lunch and dinner picnics? And an added bonus, when kids get plenty of sunlight during the day it helps set their circadian rhythm and melatonin levels at night which leads to better sleep and happier children!
Utilize your public library. The library might have classes, take home craft bags, story times, special events, play areas, movies to rent, and of course books, books, books! Reading every day is a great way to bond with your kids and keep them engaged no matter what age they are! The library will surely have books about things they are interested in and new topics to learn about for every aged child. Another positive thing is usually events at the local library are free or very low cost!
Get Connected. None of us are meant to do life alone, but kids can really thrive when they have a social outlet. However, exposing your child to a like-minded community outside of school, takes intention. Whether you meet kids in your neighborhood, at the park, or pool, ask questions, get to know their families and invite them back! Another great place to build a community is at church! When you bring your kids to church on a regular basis, they will get to know the same kids throughout the summer and you can create opportunities to get together during the week as well! Besides, when our kids make friends, we can make friends too! When you have a community of trusted adults to help you with keeping your kids engaged all summer long, it’s better for everyone. Chances are, if you’re used to your children being in daycare or school all day and now they are home...you might find yourself wanting a break from the noise. Just me? This is when your trusted circle of friends comes in and you can exchange kids once in a while! So really, it’s best for the whole family when parents take a little time to be intentional and make a plan with the kids for how they are going to get engaged and get connected!
