12 Ways to Make Your Kids’ Summer Fun and Fulfilling

Three months with no school! Will it be a time for vegging in front of the TV or computer? Or will it be time for actively learning and building good memories?

Our calendars may say that June 20 is the first day of summer, but we parents know that the first day of summer is the first day after school gets out. While our children might look forward to not having to do anything, we parents know that can quickly turn to boredom.

Here are some ideas for inexpensive activities that will keep your child learning and growing and your family happy and bonding throughout the summer months:

1. Chores! Does that sound like a bad word or one that shouldn’t be used during “vacation”? Learning how to work and contribute to helping the family is important for children who will grow to be adults. Encourage a “work first, then have fun” routine.
2. Go on nature walks or hikes. Start a leaf or insect collection, do some bird watching (and listening), find interesting rocks. Buy a book to identify what you find or see. Spend some time by a creek or pond and look for fish, frogs and salamanders. Buy or make a sketch pad to do some artwork of some favorite discoveries.
3. Do some cooking and eating. Depending on their ages, your children might be able to independently handle a recipe, or they might be your “sous chef.” They can make fun food—cookies or cupcakes that look as interesting as they are tasty. But they can also make healthy foods. Explore the produce section of your grocery store and try some things you’ve never had before. Make kale “chips” or spaghetti squash. Make “fruit pizza” using some exotic fruit, such as star fruit or horned melon fruit (“blowfish fruit”).
4. Do some stargazing. Visit your library and check out some books on constellations. Then spend some time together on a blanket outside and see how many you can spot on a dark, moonless night.
5. Spend some time in the dirt. A flower or vegetable garden, whether a whole bed or just plants in pots, can be a wonderful opportunity for your kids to enjoy the benefits of planting seeds or seedlings, watering, weeding and working the soil. But there’s also something to be said for just playing in dirt or sand and making “mud pies” or sand castles. Just be sure your kids are wearing old clothes that won’t matter if they get dirty.
6. Brush up on academic skills. Make flash cards of math facts (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division—whatever level your children are at) into a game. Create something new entirely or modify an old favorite. Count by different numbers as you toss a ball back and forth. Have them write and/or illustrate a book. (Be prepared—you might want to bind their “book” and save it!)
7. Organize! Encourage your children to sort through old toys, games and clothes. Some may be ready to be given away. Those to be kept can be organized. Ask them to think of different ways things could be organized and then find what would work best for them.
8. Earn some money. Budding entrepreneurs might try a lemonade stand or a yard sale (make money from some of those cast-off toys!).
9. Read! Visit the library. Take advantage of the summer reading programs that many libraries offer for children of all ages. Regularly set aside some quiet time for your kids to relax with a book. Also plan to read together as a family—a chapter of a good book can be a great way to unwind and get ready for bed each night.
10. Make crafts and experiment. Summer can be a great time for science and learning about the physical laws God created. (Another trip to the library!) It can also be a great time to make things and learn new skills. Introduce your children to woodworking, sewing, embroidery, knitting or crocheting. If you don’t have the skills yourself, ask for help from a relative or a friend.
11. Be active. Summer weather wants to be enjoyed. Encourage your kids to spend time outside. They can ride their bikes, throw or kick a ball, jump rope, skate, run around, etc. Take a break yourself and join in when you can!
12. Learn about God and the Bible. Sometimes Sabbath schools at church go on a break during the summer. But summer can be a great time for learning about God and His way. Make time for reading the Bible and enjoying some of the more memorable stories in it. Set some memory goals, such as memorizing the names of the books of the Bible, the 10 Commandments, the days of creation, the fruits of the Spirit or God’s festivals. Don’t forget to hold a celebration when the goal is achieved!

What about summer classes, swimming lessons, trips to children’s museums or theme parks? Oh, yes, there’s probably room for these too. And movies, television and the computer? Maybe, but if you do it right, there won’t be time for much vegging!

Becky Bennett is the mother of two adult daughters and wistfully remembers the summers she spent with her daughters when they were younger.

For more about parenting, see the “Parenting” section of the new LifeHopeandTruth.com website.