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Practical Ideas for Summer Activities
Here we go again! Summer is right around the corner. Now is the time to start planning. Most parents dont need any convincing to agree that their kids dont need more time sitting around watching television, playing video games or surfing the Internet. Still, in reality, when parents fail to plan in advance, these types of activities can become the default activities for their kids. Where can parents find activities that will keep kids away from tuning in and zoning out? Here is a list we have put together to get you started in planning your kids summer vacation time.
Team Sports: Team sports allow kids to hone athletic skills, learn and build teamwork, self-discipline and of course good exercise. Consult the recreational department in your community.
Baseball/softball
Tennis
Golf
Swimming
Volleyball
Outdoor activities:
Inline skating
Bicycling
Walking
Hiking
Miniature golf
Swimming
Fishing
Boating
Camping
Kayaking / Canoeing
Zoo
Frisbee toss
Parks
Water parks
Amusement parks
Nature center
Wildlife sanctuary
Beach
Lake
Picnics
Yard sale
Backyard camping
Backyard obstacle course
Backyard Olympics
Fairs
Walk the dog
Cooking out / bar
Geochaching: Geocahcing is a relatively new treasure hunting adventure game. Individuals and organizations hide caches and then post clues to find the cache on the Internet. Participants use GPS (global positioning system) units to follow the clues and ultimately discover the cache. For more information, check out the information found at www.geocaching.com/faq/
Indoor activities:
Board games
Card playing
Household Chores & Projects
Library
Museum
Aquarium
Gymnasium
Bowling
Ice skating
Raquetball, handball, squash
Volunteering at a food bank / soup kitchen
Cleaning out closets, giving away items.
Baking for family, giving baked goods as gifts
Creating cards, gift baskets for needy, sick, shut-ins
Theme days/parties (foods, dress, activities)
Letter writing (relatives, distant friends, missionaries)
Listening to music
Watching a movie
Spectator events: Many teens enjoy spending time cheering on their favorite teams.
Camping Programs: As a family or participating in local camping or Christian camping programs.
Service & Mission Opportunities: Many churches offer summer service and mission opportunities through the youth ministry program. And, you can also plan your own family projects.
Help needy families
Visit a nursing home
Volunteer at a local food bank or soup kitchen
Volunteer at a homeless shelter
Help neighbors with household tasks, yard work or repairs
House & yard work: Preteens and teens, with a little guidance from adults, are capable of accomplishing project work around the house and yard. Routine household chores, cleaning, painting, gardening, landscaping and yard maintenance are all well within the average teens ability level.
Part-time employment. Generally, many businesses hire teens for part-time employment. In the summer, seasonally based businesses often look for teens to fill out their work-forces. For example, some parks and recreation departments hire teens to staff their childrens programs during the summer. Or, independently, have kids create their own business opportunities, such as yard work, babysitting, or dog walking.
Educational opportunities: Summer can be a great time to enroll kids in community-based courses or summer school, that provide instruction on learning new subjects, skills and interests at low or no cost.
Printed by permission of HomeWord. For additional information on HomeWord, visit www.homeword.com or call 800-397-9725.
We pray that you will continue to be blessed from these resources. If we can be of any further assistance, please contact us.
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