Photo by Vitolda Klein on Unsplash

by carol evenson, guest contributor

During the school year, many families have a structured routine set with their little ones. When summer hits it can be a fun, yet stressful, time for some parents. The school-year structure has given way to the wide open spaces of summer days that require a different kind of plan for the kids during the day.

Without a few fun activities and plans for summer, it can be hard to survive all the chaos. It will be crucial to find activities that keep your little ones active and engaged and still allow you to relax every once in a while. Here are just a few suggestions for this next summer with your family.

Take Advantage of the Sunshine

With the sun shining bright and toasty warm temps, it’s a great opportunity to be out in nature with your family. There are countless new activities you and your little ones can experience together. 

If you’re looking to stay in your backyard, there are many options for that as well. You could plant a garden together and practice healthy eating. You could make a butterfly garden and then enjoy watching all the colorful butterflies that come into your backyard. Camping in your backyard has become quite popular because it’s a perfect way to transition into real camping with your kids. There’s always the option to splash around in the sprinklers or in a pool. Researching pool financing companies would be a good first step, but you can also try a kiddie blowup pool as well.

Set Up Some Structure

photo by Alan Rodriguez via Unsplash

While summer is a fun and exciting time, it’s important not to lose all the daily structure. Kids thrive on routine and you will too. Things like setting a summer bedtime are still crucial because lack of sleep will make for cranky kids and a tough summer. Find time to sit down and have a meal with your family as well, if possible. Summertime is also an excellent opportunity to not only getting those chore charts humming smoothly, but teaching our kids that in this house, everyone is a helper. Remind them that we all contribute to the mess, so we all get to help clean it - it's all part of being a family. This will add some structure and can give them something to do before they are able to have screen time, for example.

Try New Things in Your Community

Summer is a great time to get your kids trying new things. School and homework isn’t taking up time, which leaves plenty of time for new hobbies or exploring where you live. Go check out your local fairs, explore a new park with a fun picnic, or find a farmer’s market to check out. If your community has a library or museum, it would be a great opportunity to incorporate some fun learning into the summer. 

If you’re unfamiliar with your community, consider taking a walk to see sites you may not have visited before. You could even go on an easy hike with your family and let your little ones practice some photography. The community has a lot to offer and many things go unnoticed. Research your options and you may find a kids community book club or another hidden gem to take advantage of.

Don’t Forget Self-Care

Amongst all the fun filled activities, parents may feel a little worn out, so a little self-care goes a long way. Trying out new hobbies can be stress-relieving for many. For example, you could try some relaxing yoga in the cool summer mornings.

If you’re needing to carve out some alone time, then take advantage of some fun summer camps for your children to break the summer days up a little. Find time to clear your mind and unwind. Summers are exciting, but everyone needs a little downtime. 

Remember, it’s all about making happy memories with those you love. Don’t feel pressured to have an activity planned every minute of the day, but rather strive to have fun with your little ones and enjoy the time that they are home.

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