Summer is here, and children may already be complaining of being bored and looking to parents for relief of this dreaded and chronic summer affliction.
There are many solutions to this, and teaching your children valuable lessons can be done right along with these tips. Some great suggestions for fun-filled and educational activities could include the following:
Day trips
Arrange and take day trips with your family. Every city and state have monuments and locations of significance. Research what your area has to offer, and plan accordingly.
For example, a family who lives in western South Dakota may visit Mount Rushmore. A family in New York State may choose to visit the Statue of Liberty and the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.
Nature museums, aquariums, and hiking trails where one can learn about biology and the natural world can be found near almost any city. Try to choose locations that are within 100 miles or so of your home so those trips are not tiring or time-consuming for youngsters.
Get into history
Before going on the aforementioned day trips, look up the history and significance of the location.
For example, if you live in or around San Antonio, a short trip to the Alamo may be in order. Read a short piece about the history of this historic monument before you depart, and you will be so surprised at how much more interest your children will show at the destination.
Tie in other local areas such as the Riverwalk and the Missions, and do the same thing. Look at maps and other information that are relevant to your trip. Keep your explanations and short history lessons brief though, or you will lose their attention fast.
Reading materials
Keep reading materials handy everywhere you go. When packing up all of your gear for the beach or pool, be sure to bring a stack of magazines and inexpensive books. Your local thrift store may be an excellent source of reading materials at very low cost.
This will give them something to do while lying in the sun or waiting for a lifeguard break to be over. Choose topics that they are interested in such as sports, fashion, animals, or super heroes.
The important thing is not to force them on your children. Just have them out and available, and you will be surprised at how often they pick them up and peruse them.
Summer
Sign your children up for summer camp. This is a real opportunity for them to learn and engage in various activities with their peers. Choose from a vast array of camps, including math, music, cheer, dance, and other camps.
You will be so surprised at how much more your child will know when he returns home. For the younger set, there is always day camps where they can learn from many topics and return home to their families every night.
Options like Miniapple International Montessori School allow kids to learn a variety of subjects and tasks, making it fun for any personality.
The opportunities for teaching valuable lessons to your kids do exist, even in these off months. Take advantage of them, and your children will go back to school with new facts and information, as well as an adventure-loving spirit.
Image from Pixabay
Anita Ginsburg
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