Keeping Kids Busy in the Summer
Summer is a great time for students to relax and take a break from their busy and hectic school lives. Depending on the age of your children, their summers may look very different. From playing with friends to getting a summer job, your kids will be focused on things other than their education.
But summer is also a good time for students to get into trouble. If unsupervised and bored, your kids could get mischievous and try finding ways to keep them entertained, and that doesn’t always lead to reading a book in the backyard. There are many ways to keep your kids busy, having fun, and involved this summer.
Preschool
Your young kiddos, who are in preschool or their early stages of elementary, obviously need some kind of supervision. If you are working all summer make sure you hire a babysitter, find a daycare, or have older siblings take responsibilities. In a daycare they will be kept entertained and socializing with friends. If you hire a babysitter or have your older child take care of them, set up things for them to do during the day, things like going to a museum, playing in a park, or hanging out at the pool.
If you are staying at home with your kiddos this summer, or work from home, come up with fun things to do with your kids that will also be fun for you. Go explore some of the nearby mountains, hang out at a waterpark, or attempt to fly a kite in the park. Plan play dates with your kids Resurrection Christian School buddies, let them play together several times throughout the summer, helping to keep their friendship strong.
Elementary
For your kids who are a bit older and no longer entertained by sliding down the slide over and over again, come up with activities that will challenge them and help them test their limits. At this age, kids like challenging themselves and learning new things.
If you believe your child is old enough to stay home alone, make sure they are not just watching TV or playing video games all day. If your kids love books, be thankful, but also take them to the bookstore or the library once a week to get new books to keep them entertained while they are home alone.
Maybe you are not comfortable leaving your child home alone, if this is the case, sign them up for fun summer camps. Find fun and interesting summer camps in Loveland or Fort Collins for your kiddos, let them pick one or a few out so that they will enjoy what they are doing. From soccer camps to game design camps, there is something that will entertain every kid.
Camps are a great way to keep your kid involved, learning, and meeting new friends. On weekends, be sure to spend time with your children, plan fun activities with them that will keep them excited throughout the week. This is a great way to keep them interested.
Middle School
Your middle school aged kids are generally able to stay home alone throughout the summer, but they are also at the age of lounging around all day, playing video games, and using their cell phones as much as their breath.
At this age, you should attempt to get your kids outside and active. Many on the summer camps in the links above are for middle school aged children as well, find something that they are interested in and keep them moving during the summer.
On hot summer days, being outside can be draining. Getting a pool membership could be the solution to getting your kiddos outside and active during the summer. Going to the pool with their friends will keep them active, socializing, and get them away from the technology that rules their everyday lives.
High School
Once your kids get to high school, they believe they should have complete independence and freedom throughout the summer. This is a great time for them to get their first summer job, whether it is at a local coffee shop, retail store, or mowing the neighbors lawns. Getting a job could keep them busy, help teach them responsibility, and allow them to save some money of their own.
If your teens are in any Resurrection Christian School sports, we have many trainings, practices, camps, and open gyms scheduled throughout the summer. Check the calendar to know the times and places.
It is more of a challenge getting your teens to do things that you tell them to do. At this point, when they are staying home alone on summer days, you just have to hope they are staying out of trouble and keeping busy. On weekends try to plan things with them. This is an important time to build a relationship with your teens and help them through their high school years.
Activities for All
If you are a stay at home parent, or are lucky enough to have summers off, spend time with your children. There are many things, especially in Colorado, that you can do to keep everyone entertained and busy during the summer. Go on family adventures into Estes and Rocky Mountain National Park, hike some of the trails, find new places, and get outside.
Head to Horsetooth Reservoir to swim, paddle board, or cruise around in the speed boat. Try to go to all the museums, art exhibits, and the musical and food festivals in Old Town Fort Collins. This is a great area to stay busy in, with mountains to explore, history to learn about, and endless activities, your kids should never get bored.
Have a family volunteering night. Find an organization or cause you would all like to help with and plan a day that you all can do that together. It will help keep you busy, build bonds, and help out the community. Volunteering when your kids are young is a great way to help them find a passion for it, and hopefully continue it in the future.
Keeping your kids busy, entertained, socializing, and working with the community is an important part of summer. Of course lazy days are always acceptable, but when every day turns into lounging around the house and staring at a phone, planning a nice hike or a trip to the museum is the perfect way to make a boring summer day something special.
Resurrection Christian School knows the importance of keeping kids busy and active throughout the summer. We encourage our students to stay involved, keep active, and enjoy their summer. August 15th is the first day of the next school year, enjoy the time you and your kids have together before the hectic school days take over again.