With summer break just around the corner, your little ball of energy would be sure to enjoy fun summer activities! While parenting is hectic year around, the summer is the perfect time for you to enjoy some easy, laid-back activities. To keep your children entertained and still engaged in learning, here are some fun summer activities that both you and your child would enjoy!
1. Enrolling into a summer camp
Summer camps are a no-brainer. Growing up, many children enroll into summer camps, from special-interest science camps to sports camps to meet new friends, grow their skills, and bask in the sun. By going to camp, your child is able to enjoy a structured experience for growth, while growing their independence and self-confidence. Meanwhile, parents at home can take a week off and enjoy a little break of their own! There are many places that offer an array of camps throughout summer, including childcare centres. If you’re on the hunt of a good summer camp, be sure to utilize Kinderdrop’s directory to view available childcare centres with summer programs in your area!
2. Splash zone!
Water balloon tournaments, Slip N Slides and trips to the water park are all easy ways to create your own splash zone this summer. Water based activities are a great way to keep your child active and an even better way to battle the summer heat. Fill up water balloons for a fun tournament in your backyard, turn on the hose on a plastic sheet for a DIY Slip N Slide, or get drenched at a family outing to the water park.
3. Outdoor Scavenger Hunt
While they might sound difficult, outdoor scavenger hunts can be very easy to plan, and encourage learning, even when your child is out of school. Write down a list of items and be creative! These items can be as specific as you want, from ‘5 daisies’ to ‘3 green objects’. You may even reward your child with a mini prize once all items have been located to encourage completion and build patience and resilience. If you want to be fancy, you can also dress up and create a theme for your little hunt!
4. Sensory Stimuli
To continue learning outside of the classroom, you can create activities that are sensory-satisfying to keep your kid occupied. Sensory activities could be as simple as homemade finger paint where kids will learn about color mixing while making art, homemade drums with rice or beans to show how sounds are made, or even the DIY slime craze where you mix glue and baking soda to create fun goo! These activities are perfect for toddlers and younger children as sensory exploration supports the development of motor skills and helps their brains create stronger connections.