As parents, we just want the best for our kids. But how can we make the most out of the holidays? Read on for some ideas to keep your kids happy and amused all summer.
Theme weeks
This is one of the best ways to stay organized and ensure that you always have an idea to hand. All you have to do is choose a theme that would normally be used for a party and go from there. Every Monday, have a theme for the week and work all of your activities around your theme. The possibilities are endless with themes. For ‘pirate week’, you can read pirate stories and make a cardboard ship in the garden. ‘Alien week’ could be filled with rockets and stargazing. One of the best things about the theme is it can be tailored to suit your children. If you have older kids, you could have a fashion week and include some research into the history of design. Or how about a bootcamp week where they can pretend to be the first person character from their favorite video game? The possibilities are endless!
Days trips
If a big holiday is off the cards, you can still make the best of where you live. One of the best pieces of advice we have ever heard is “treat your town like a tourist”. You will be surprised what fun activity pops up when you think like a tourist. And a surprising amount of things are free to do. A trip to the playpark costs nothing but try and visit a different one from your usual. Check out those museums that you always walk past but never go into. Is there a local landmark that you drive past but never go to? Now is the time to visit. Even going for a walk and exploring the streets around your house is a great way to get out of the house for a while.
Play games
One of the best ways that children learn is through play. As tempting as it may be to let them sit in front of the screen all day, they need mental stimulation. Thankfully, there is an abundance of options available. You can also pick the subject that would benefit your child to help with school. If their math needs a bit of work, they can play some fun math games. If they are struggling with English, there are interactive reading books. Sitting in front of a screen can be beneficial if you can turn them to the right game. One of the best things about these types of games, they get instant feedback instead of you having to mark their answers yourself.
Exercise
Have you looked in your garage recently? Are there a lot of old garden games lying about? This is the perfect time to dust them off and use them. Kids like variety and those games that they played with a few years ago could appear interesting again. We aren’t concerned with counting the calories of our kids, we just need them to get moving and get their blood pumping. When they exercise, they improve their coordination, better mental health, and they sleep better. So grab that old football, oil up the chain on the bikes, and let’s get moving! If you can join in, you will experience the benefits too.
Cooking classes
Your little ones might be too small to create a pastry masterpiece but they can still help in the kitchen. Once or twice a week, set some time aside to get creative in the kitchen. It doesn’t have to be sweet treats every time. Making a simple fairy cake might be easy but it can get repetitive. You can try making pizzas with ready made bases and a selection of toppings for them to create their own dinner. Or, if you have older kids, give them a simple recipe to follow and let them make dinner for the family. It might seem messy to let your kids loose in the kitchen, but with some guidance you can ensure that they have a skill for life. And if your cooking skills aren’t the best, then you can all learn a new skill together.
Get crafty
Children have amazing imaginations so why not let them flex those muscles? If you don’t have a lot of craft supplies, you can start by recycling old rubbish as craft materials. You could also upcycle old clothes and turn them into something new. If you decide to get the paints out, you could set up an art station in the garden to ensure that paint doesn’t splash everywhere. This is also a great chance to use up those old craft kits that seem to appear in the house. Even some chalk and an outside space can provide hours of entertainment. When they are done with the chalk, simply hose the chalk away for a clean slate and more art work.
Movie night
Movie night isn’t a new idea but that doesn’t mean it can’t be used. We all have a pile of old DVDs sitting in the corner, so dust them off and make every night movie night during the summer. This is a great way to have some quality time together as a family in the evening. It doesn’t have to be complicated either. Simply have a small snack and pick a movie you haven’t watched in a while. Older movies tend to be shorter in length so they make a great choice for during the week. On a Friday and Saturday night, pick a newer movie and get snuggled up together for an hour or two.
No matter what you choose to do with your children this summer, make it fun. Enjoy the time together before they have to head back to school. But most important, make some memories that you will all cherish. Because that is how you will know you have made the most out of your summer, being together.
Mom on the go in Holy Toledo 