annaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaanna Summer is in full swing! Kids have the freedom to enjoy warm weather and time with family and friends. Many parents soon discover this sweet freedom sets the field for an epic battle to keep their kids off electronics. Here are some screen-free activities every kid should do this summer.
annaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaanna Take it outside
annaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaanna Some kids may enjoy playing outside without having to be pushed out the door, but others may need a little encouragement. Instead of simply telling your children, “Go play outside,” offer some fun suggestions. Try having them design and build a kite, then go outside to fly it. Another idea is doing a park tour by making a list of great parks in your area (ask friends for recommendations) and visiting a different one each week. Diverting outdoor fun is almost limitless, and families can tailor the fun to children’s interests: Have a picnic, explore the neighborhood, set up an obstacle course, draw with sidewalk chalk, toss a ball, play on the swing set, pick flowers, take a family bike ride or organize neighborhood games. The possibilities are endless and can be catered to your child’s interests.
annaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaanna Be a night owl
annaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaanna No school means no early mornings. Though staying up late every night may not be the best option for young children, allowing a few late nights on lazy summer evenings can be a great way to make memories. Use a projector to watch a movie outdoors, catch fireflies in the backyard or watch a fireworks show. Introduce your kids to the magic of a staying up late on a balmy summer evening. If you are lucky, they might even sleep in the next day.
annaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaanna Jump in a lake
annaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaanna It wouldn’t be summer without some swimming. Take the kids to the lake, pool or sprayground—or even set up the sprinkler in the backyard. Nothing feels better than cooling off in the water on a hot summer day.
annaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaanna Plant a seed
annaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaanna A great way to get kids outdoors is to have them work in the garden. This allows for plenty of time in the fresh air and can even be productive, taking care of daily garden maintenance of watering, weeding and checking on the plants. “Grow something!” says Heather Allen of Olathe. “Anything, be it a tree, vegetable or flower. There is something really rewarding about getting your hands in the dirt and growing and taking care of a plant.” If you choose to have a vegetable garden, get the kids involved in cooking with ingredients they have helped to grow.
annaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaanna Camp out
annaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaanna Camping affords a great opportunity to get families outside together. Some families may venture to a nearby campground with their tent to enjoy a day or two of unplugged peace. Other families may prefer camping in the backyard so they are close to the comforts of home. Either way, put away the electronics for the day, roast marshmallows on a campfire and enjoy the time together in the great outdoors.
annaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaanna Explore the city
annaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaanna Kansas City is a great city to explore, and hometown field trips will get kids out of the house and away from their screens. You can visit some of the popular attractions in the area or discover a hidden gem. “We are going to find a passion project,” says mom Kristal Shanahan. “I”ll start a list of unique places to visit locally to learn more about what they do. Maybe we will find what interests my daughter with things off the beaten path and hopefully spark a new passion.”
annaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaanna Complete a project
annaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaanna Family projects are a great way to keep kids busy. Decide as a group what projects you would like to focus on this summer. Some ideas could include cleaning and remodeling (or rearranging) their bedrooms, collecting food for a food pantry, planting a garden, scrapbooking, reading an entire book series or running a 5K.
annaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaanna Learn something new
annaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaanna “I tell the kids the school year is for learning what your teacher wants you to learn, and summer is for learning what you want to learn,” says Amy Cameron, mom of three. She suggests making a list of two or three topics of interest and pursuing them by reading books, attending camps or doing research. Moms Erin Lorton and Stephanie Loux both suggest keeping a daily journal. “They write a few sentences about their day,” Lorton says. “It’s always fun to look back on previous years.” Loux says, “We keep daily math, reading and summer writing journals.” Whichever approach you take, you can print pictures and create a keepsake for kids to look back on.
annaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaanna Cool off with a sweet treat
Ice cream should be on every kid’s summer bucket list. The metro offers countless ice cream and snow cone shops to visit. Create a list of new shops or old favorites you’d like to visit this summer. You can also try making ice cream or Popsicles at home.
annaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaanna Get moving
annaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaanna Being outside in the summer is great, but sometimes it’s too hot or rainy, and you need to find an indoor place to burn off energy. Consider getting the kids moving by visiting an indoor trampoline place, a skating rink, rock climbing facility or indoor aquatic center. If you want to save money and need some indoor ideas, have a dance party in the house, find Go Noodle or Cosmic Kids Yoga on YouTube or have a push-up and sit-up challenge.
annaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaanna Will kids stay off their electronics the entire summer? Likely not, but with these tips you can increase their outdoor and exercise time. They may even have so much fun they forget about their tablets. A parent can dream, right?
annaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaannaanna Sarah Lyons is an Olathe mom of six, including 7-year-old triplets.