How to Keep Your Kids Busy During Summer Break

I’m Joe Romano, a school assembly presenter from Virginia. For the last 30 years, I’ve delivered fun and amazing educational school assemblies on Science/STEM, Math, Reading, Character, and more. Each month I write articles just like this to help busy parents and teachers.

Summer’s Approaching – Get a Game Plan!

Deciding on how you’ll approach summer depends a lot on your current lifestyle. Are you a parent who works out of the home during the workweek? If there is no one else in your household to keep an eye on your young kids, you’ll need a game plan suited for you. If you’re a stay-at-home parent, a different game plan will suit you. I’ll tackle each in turn.

Summer Options for Parents Working Out of the Home

There are many options you can use to keep your children busy and safe while you are at work. Some options cost nothing while others may represent an investment. Consider which options would suit you and your budget.

·        Babysitters

Do you have very young kids? A babysitter may be the most economical and simple option. If you don’t have a regular sitter, you may be able to get a family relative to take the reigns while you work. Another option? Grandparents often love seeing their grandchildren. Just make sure your parents don’t ‘sugar up’ your kids before dropping them back off to you!

·        Childcare Centers

Childcare centers often have special programs devoted to school-age kids. While older kids may roll their eyes at the idea of going to a place devoted to caring for preschoolers, the good centers have plenty of age-appropriate activities for these kids. If you have very young children going to such a center, a summer program for the older children in your home may be the easiest solution.

·        Summer Camps

Does your child have special interests? These days, there are summer camps devoted to science, sports, and a litany of other choices. Summer camps are a great way for kids to continue learning and staying active during the summer months.

·        Summer School

Summer school is no longer just for children who struggle academically during the school year. Summer school programs now offer enjoyable activities for kids. And just like summer camps, it’s a great way to keep your child actively learning to avoid the ‘summer slide.’

Summer Options for Stay-at-Home Parents

You’re a stay-at-home parent. You’re faced with the prospect of your children being with you the entire summer. How do you keep them busy? How do you maintain your sanity? The above ideas are great options for you too. Below are additional fun and economical solutions perfect for stay-at-home parents.

·        Libraries

Too many people fail to realize what an amazing resource their local libraries are. Rather than just house books, libraries are now the epicenter of community activities and fun! At the center of a library’s summer activity is the Summer Reading Program. Each year, the library system chooses a specific slogan or theme.

Libraries use this theme to create an entire program around. Reading contests, prizes, and more are used to draw families into the library. Many libraries also use incoming performers to add to the fun. There may be magicians, jugglers, or any number of fun activities tied to the Summer Reading Program theme.

Best of all, it’s free!

·        Local Zoos & Museums

Your local zoo or museum offers more ways to keep your children actively learning. Seeing live animals up close or viewing fascinating exhibits or beautiful artwork is great stimulation for the mind.

And like libraries, zoos and museums are great ways to stave off the dreaded ‘summer slide!’

·        Sleep Overs

A simple and easy choice. Invite friends or cousins over for sleepovers. They give your child a break from the norm. And especially in the case of very young kids, sleepovers give little ones to work on their socialization skills.

·        Chores

I’ve saved the least fun for last! Chores are a great way to give your kids responsibility over the summer when they don’t have regular schoolwork. Chores are also a great way to build character in your children.

An Amazing Character-Building Experience for Your School?

Before you know it, summer will be over, and kids will be heading back to school. A school assembly is a wonderful way to bond students and start the new school year off on the right foot. My character-building assembly “The Magic in You” gives your school’s students easy strategies for building character and making the right choices. Contact me today for more information.