This summer is going to be unlike any other. With COVID-19 numbers down but not gone, summer’s going to be very different. In the age of coronavirus and social distancing, here are productive things to do over the summer for kids:
1. Summer Camp
Summer camp is the easily the most productive thing to do over the summer for kids. Currently, summer camps are seeing a fair bit of change in terms of how to maintain likely because of COVID-19 restrictions. Nonetheless, summer camps remain a fantastic experience for youths, with most camps still planning to move forward with activities.
2. Nature and Hiking
A simple nature hike can be a very productive thing to do over the summer. Even if we end up restricted with what we can do this summer, trails are still open for individuals and families. There are plenty of places in nature to hike, explore, and make a memory from. Children shouldn’t be cooped up with summer. Give them some space to get in touch with the environment around them.
3. Gardening
There’s still a lot of productive things to do around the house this summer for kids, parents, and families. Gardening – be it herbs, veggies, or flowers – gives a child the opportunity to learn more about concepts like food supply, seeds, nature, and personal investment. Though not for every child, it can be a fun adventure gardening parent-and-child.
4. Sports Practice
If a child has an interest in sports, summer is still a productive time to keep their strength, skills, and response time up. Grab a friend and head outside to practice baseball, basketball, hockey, football, or running.
Use the next two or three months to have your child do something productive. When things get back to a ‘new normal’, they’ll be ready to pick up where they left off.
5. Volunteering
There are a lot of people in need right now, from those in long-term care facilities to those who aren’t working. This isn’t to mention the populations of homeless, those who are ill and disabled, and the economically disadvantaged.
Consider encouraging your kids to volunteer their time assisting a population in your community in need. A little help goes a long way.
6. Creative Arts
Encourage your child to do something creative. Stoke their creativity. This can be anything from writing a poem to learning an instrument, doing art, writing and illustrating a book, or something with technology like graphic design. Depending on their interests, this summer could prove a gateway into rewarding self-expression, self-understanding, and community.
7. Homemade Pizza
If there’s one food everybody in the household loves, pizza has got to be it. Unfortunately, pizza places are expensive. For a family of four, you can easily end up paying $30-$60 if not more.
A homemade pizza is much cheaper, can be easily customized, and more fun. Teach your children about homemade pizzas, how to make them, why to make them, and encourage your kid to personalize, personalize, personalize it.
8. Interview A Grandparent
Older Canadians have been in isolation for a few months, unable to allow family to visit them. Children have yet to experience so much of life and they will never know what the past was like. Interviewing a grandparent encourages your child to learn about their family, their culture, and where they’re from.
9. Reading
Reading is always productive. Regardless of if it’s biographies of their favourite personalities, classics from decades ago, or non-fiction, if they’re reading, they’re learning and that’s a great thing. If your child has an interest in reading, feed that curiosity and thirst for knowledge. It’s a passion that will keep them sharp, smart, and imaginative.
10. Game Night
Every now and again, have a game night. It doesn’t have to be weekly but once in a while, competition through games isn’t such a bad thing. Pictionary, bingo, charades, or a more in-depth strategy game are all exciting ways to spend time with families. Give your child the opportunity to select a game for ‘family game night’ to make it more engaging for them.
11. Start a Scrapbook
Encourage your child to start a scrapbook of their summertime activities. Actively take photos which can be printed off and put into a physical book. If a child isn’t excited about summer, mapping out all the things they’re going to do and getting them done can give them an investment to believe in. There’s only so many days. They only have one summer at this age ahead. Make it count.
12. Backyard Camping
If you can’t get to a summer camp for kids or if campgrounds don’t end up fully open, some camping in the backyard is the next best thing. All you have to do is set up a tent. All other resources are close-by in your home. No problem at all. For kids, this can be a fun way to experience summer and you’re still close enough to supervise.
13. Start A Collection
Collect shells from the beach, flowers or species from local forests, stamps, comic books, currencies, or anything your child is interested in. Starting a collection can be fun, cultivate a brand new interest for them, or be a way to get a child focused on something productive. Collecting’s a really engaging, interesting activity, and adds some personality. For summer, it’s a nice adventure to take.
