Is your summer schedule starting to wear you out? Having trouble thinking of things for your kids to do to keep them from just sitting in front of a TV or computer screen all day? Are you counting down the days until school starts back and trying to get your kids ready for that transition as well? Check out this little trick that we’ve adapted from www.dollarstoremom.com.
Give each day a theme! We’ve provided some here, but if our themes don’t work for you, simply create your own. That way, your kids know what to expect each day; they might even come up with a few of their own ideas! Here’s our list:
Make it Monday: This could be something the kids have to make on their own, or something that everyone works on together. It could be a new recipe, a craft, a sewing project, or even something to build, depending on their ages. You may even want to scour Pinterest for some fun ideas to make to use on Wet Wednesdays (see below).
Take a Trip Tuesday: Get out of the house and enjoy some new sights and sounds. It doesn’t have to be an expensive trip; it can even be as simple as heading out to a local park for a hike, or trying out a different playground. You could also hit up a matinee movie or a museum. Need more suggestions? Try Googling one-day road trips in your area. Who knows, you may even come across a hidden gem like Shark Tooth Creek (www.sharktoothcreek.com) or Helen Keller’s Birthplace (www.helenkellerbirthplace.org).
Wet Wednesday: Regardless of how or where, get the kids in their bathing suits and lathered up in sunscreen and get out to enjoy some fun in the sun. Whether you just turn on the sprinkler in the back yard, visit the neighborhood pool or splurge and take the kids to the beach or lake, water is always a recipe for fun! If the kids still complain about being bored, you can check out www.kidspot.com.au for some pool and water games to play.
Thinking Thursday: After a day out in the water and sun, the kids (and parents) might need a day that’s a little lower key, and that’s what Thinking Thursdays are for. You can use this day to get the kids caught up on their book list for the summer, work on some school prep for the upcoming year, or have some fun by going to the library or trying out their own science experiments. The American Library Association has come out with a summer reading list for kids of all ages: http://www.ala.org/alsc/2015-summer-reading-list
Freaky Fun Friday: Now, you may be wondering what in the world this is, but don’t let the name intimidate you. Freaky Fun just means getting outside you and/or your kids' comfort zones and doing something you wouldn’t normally do. And who knows? You guys just may end up having fun in the process. Some activities might include volunteering, feeding the homeless, or something as simple as trying a new food.
Whatever themes you pick for your weekday fun, we hope you find a way to get out and enjoy your last few weeks of summer! For even more great ideas visit the NCHPAD Kid's Korner Pinterest board. You can also tweet us pictures of the creative things you’ve found to do this summer using the handle @nchpad.