Keeping the Kids Busy This Summer

If your kids can’t wait for summer but you know they’ll be bored fast, try these ideas for keeping your kids busy this summer.

A wonderful resource for information during the school year, the public library is also a treasure trove during summers. Depending on what your neighborhood offers, it can be a source for entertainment in various mediums including CDs, DVDs and magazines. Summer reading programs may provide prizes for kids who participate and programs that allow kids to socialize may be available.

If your child is too young to get a summer job, brainstorm age-appropriate ways he or she can earn money. Babysitting, dog walking or helping elderly neighbors with yard work are all possibilities depending on your child’s age and abilities.

Has your child expressed an interest in karate, gymnastics, violin, or voice lessons? Summer is a great time to explore this interest on a trial basis and see if your child will stay interested after the newness wears off. Summer is also a great time to learn the fundamentals of an art or sport if your child has signed up to participate on a team or group during the next school year.

Job shadowing is a great way for anyone to explore career possibilities. Summer is a great time for your child to shadow you for a day at work to better understand your routine. For high school students, job shadowing is a practical way to learn about a career before starting college and declaring a major. If your child discovers that your job is boring or otherwise unpleasant, it can give him or her a new appreciation for a summer off.

Your kids won’t be bored this summer if they’re at camp. Attending a summer camp is a great chance for your child to make friends, build self-esteem and make lifelong memories. The American Camp Association can help you find the right camp for your child. Use their website to search for a day camp or overnight camp and search for co-ed, boys’ only, girls’ only or faith-focused camps.