5 Summer activities for kids that keep them active and happy
When that last day of school finally comes, kids are more than ready for those three months of summer vacation. No school, no homework, just fun and more fun. If you're the Mom in this scenario, you want to have plenty of summer activities for kids all lined up and ready to go. Here, we've got some suggestions on ways to keep those kids entertained and happy, with outdoor activities that help them stay fit and healthy.
If your kids spend too much time at the computer playing video games or watching TV, summer is the time to break the couch potato habit. The trick is having summer activities for kids that they can enjoy without feeling deprived of their usual after-school entertainments.
Do your kids all know how to swim? If not, get them registered for your local community's beginners swimming class. If they do swim, sign them up to the next appropriate level of instruction.
Get their bikes cleaned up and safety-checked. Have Mom, Dad, or an older child help the kids with this task. Ready to ride. Remember, summer activities for kids can be fun for Mom and Dad too.
Set aside some room in your yard for a kid's garden. This idea doesn't take much space and provides lots of fun for children of all ages. With just eight 12 foot bamboo poles, the kids can make a teepee which can be used as a cool clubhouse on hot summer days. Lash the poles together at the top with some rope, sticking the other ends into the soil at the base to form a circle. Use garden netting to form the teepee cover.
Plant vining green beans, peas and nasturtiums at the base of the teepee - these hardy plants will quickly form a dense, lush cover for the clubhouse, with an edible harvest throughout the summer.
Volleyball and basketball games keep kids actively entertained, requiring little space or expense. Set up is simple and the benefits are long lasting.
One of the all-time favorite summer activities for kids is backyard camping. Get out the sleeping bags and let the kids invite a few friends. Roast hot dogs and marshmallows on sticks and serve soda with ice cream and cookies for dessert. Card games, board games and ghost stories provide the entertainment for your happy campers.
You'll notice that almost all of our suggestions for summer activities for kids are at, or close to, home, making it easy for you to supervise without elbowing in on their fun. Have a great summer vacation!
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