The Kids Are Out of School – Summer Crafts and Game Ideas
Summer has officially begun and your kids are already bored. Summer camps or swimming class don’t begin until mid month so now is the time to keep your kids occupied with fun crafts and games. I’m sure it’s easier to plunk them in front of the TV or let the WII babysit them, but all children need stimulation and learning opportunities. Here are some activities and games for primary children between the ages of 5-10.
Theme Day or Theme Week
Find a topic your child has an interest in. It could be dinosaurs, frogs, trains, space, flowers or puppies. You can create a whole theme day or even week around this topic. Find coloring sheets for coloring, go to the library and find books on this special topic. You can even get some modeling clay and create your animal or flower or train. Have fun with this and make your child love to learn. If possible, find a movie or tv show about this topic to watch at the end of the day or week.
Gardening
Gardening is such a fun and bonding experience to have with your children. Even little boys wouldn’t mind gardening if they had some choice. Create a morning or half day with this activity. Go to your local gardening store and have your child pick out some flowers or bushes they want for the garden. You can even get a planter and they can have their own little garden. This will teach them different kinds of flowers, herbs, and which ones will grow again and which ones die at the end of summer.
It’s Summer so why not do a Lemonade Stand?
This is a great opportunity to learn about money, community and responsibility. What profit they earn they can either save it or spend it on anything they want. Your children can paint the sign and decide where they want to have the stand. Giving your children choice will in turn make them enjoy the activity and have fun with it.
Water Balloon and Water Slides
On hot days why not make water balloons and have a water balloon fight? Put on your swim suit and have a blast in your backyard. Throw in the water slide and you have a party. Kids can spend hours with water. It’s fun and healthy and better than having them sit and watch cartoons all day.
Share with the community
Have your kid do some baking and hand them out to hospital staff or homeless shelters. The summer is a great opportunity to be apart of your community and to learn about others. Don’t let your kids take for granted all that they have. Do a summer clean out and donate clothes, toys and items no longer used. Show the children where these items go to in order to make a strong connection.
These are just some activities and games for the summer and kids of all ages should enjoy. Have fun!