Summer Imagination...Fun in the Sun!

As the summer has now finally come upon us, we wonder what there is to do for kids to stay busy. 

My two are 11 and 13 and this is particularly difficult as they are "too cool" for some things and yet are not old enough too work to keep themselves out of trouble. 

A big thing I am doing this summer is keeping them from sitting in front of the TV for hours or worse, playing video games non stop from morning until evening.  It is one of the things that has happened to our world that is quite sad...we kept our kids inside for fear of "strangers" only to have them become sedentary and otherwise hermits in their own homes.  

For my family I have decided that this summer is going to be full of games, crafts and lots of outside fun. 

Here are some of the activities we have come up with:

1. Painting - this one is my Mom's favorite.  We went to the dollar store and bought inexpensive acrylic paints ($1.00/color), brushes ($3.00 for a multi-pack set) and canvases ($2.00 and up) to paint on.  We could have used paper too, but at the older ages, I find that they like the adventure of painting on something that is more permanent and cool.  Why not have them create a gallery for their rooms to show off to their friends?
2. Shooting a Video/Movie - We have friends who's daughters are amazing at this.  Have your kids write a script, prepare the props/costumes and then shoot with the video on a camera.  They can then download and edit the videos with the home computer (Mac has a great software program called iMovie that is easy to use). 
3. Board Games - There are so many board games that can go on for hours and this can really help the day go by.  Here are some ideas by type - for the adventurous: Settlers of Catan, or for helping with math and learning about purchasing property: Monopoly, or for expanding your English vocabulary knowledge: Apples to Apples.  
4. Reading a Novel - this is a great time of the year to catch up on your novels that you were unable to finish or just have never had the time to start. 
5. Swimming - Cool off from the heat at the local pool or beach and enjoy the exercise that comes with playing in the water for the day.  Don't forget your sunscreen if you go to the beach!
6. Lemon Aid Stand - Home based marketing at it's best!  At first I thought my daughter was nuts to do this, but she got together with the neighborhood kids and at .50 cents/cup (they had BIG cups) they made $23.00 for the day!  Not bad considering we do not live on a main street.
7. Play an Outdoor Game - This was my entertainment as a kid...get outside and figure it out yourself.  We did though, and the great thing was we made up different games with our imaginations!  WOW, remember those?  We played "War" with pine cones as grenades, and sticks as guns.  If you got "hit" you had to lie down and count to 20 before you could participate again.  We also played street hockey, baseball, tennis, basketball, etc.  Those were the days when I never worried about what I ate, because I was always running, playing, etc.  We need more of this nowadays.
8. Bake and Cook - This is good to do on cloudy/rainy days that do not really make for great "outing" days.  Look up an old recipe from Grandma's cookbook or try something "gourmet" to serve for dinner.  Create a "theme dinner" for the whole family to enjoy the fruits of your labour.  Just be careful of the stove and oven and ask for help if needed.
9. Build a Fort/Clubhouse - This is great to have kids do in an area that they can leave it up to decorate and play in...(Rec Room, Back Yard, etc)
10. Create a Garden - Start a vegetable garden from scratch in a planter on the porch or in a small plot of yard space.  Try to grow things that you can eat and use in your new "recipes" that you can serve proudly to your family for snacks or meals.

There are so many things, outside of structured camps and activities, that you can do without having to watch TV.  Use your imagination and the sky is the limit.  Just be safe and ask for help when you need it.

I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination.  - Albert Einstein


Happy summer everyone,

Liz