Tips for Entertaining the Kids this Summer
The summer is the perfect occasion for enjoying each day while the little ones are at home during the day. It can get costly taking them to theme parks, water parks, and fun centers, especially if you’re on a tight budget. If you happen to be in a similar financial state as most people are, you shouldn’t be concerned, since there are a lot of inexpensive things you can do right at home. For kids 10 and younger, these activities are perfect. Most of these ideas are centered around learning and activity together.
Using Household Items in Your Games
Use everyday items in your play around the house as props for your pretend news stories. A fun game to play at home is to pretend you run a medical clinic. Have the little ones gather a stuffed toy or other toy and then use things from around your house that can serve as make-believe doctor’s tools. Most homes are chock full of odd and ends that can be imagined into surgical kits. You can also do another take on this game by imagining that everyone is a news reporter. A baby doll or other toys can be used as part of the crazy stories that your child and you are describing to the imaginary viewers.
Escape to the Wild Outdoors
A game that is particularly entertaining is to pretend that you’re on a safari trip in your living room. Take out large bed linens and tuck the ends into chairs, the sofa, or any strong fixture in the room. Drape the bed linens so that thekids feel like they are hidden by large forest trees or in the thick brush where the wild critters can’t see them. If you have a pair of binoculars, give them to the kids to make it feel more real. Have your kids get together all of the stuffed critters and animal figures they can find and set them up throughout the room, mostly hiding from view, and then use the binoculars to discover them. Have the kids shout the names of the animals they find and then you can make the animal noise back at them. They always have the most laughs with this game!
Get Outside and Have Fun
An low-cost, yet really entertaining activity is to get out side for a ride on Trek bikes. If you have little ones, you can tote them along in a trailer attachment where they can be safe in a secure area. For smaller trips, some children might want to use their Razor scooter to get around. To make it even more entertaining, take your time and call out different items for them to spot while you’re out, like a treasure hunt. Things like hummingbirds, butterflies, or chipmunks can all be great things for everyone to call out as they find them. This game also works wonderfully on a stroll in the great outdoors and can teach children about nature and their environment.
Extend the Fun into the Night
When evening comes, the fun doesn’t have to stop there! Set up a tent in the yard somewhere and provide binoculars for they can observe the night skies. If you have a fire pit or a small charcoal barbeque, you can make a wood-burning fire for them. Have the kids gather some branches that can be wooden skewers for browning s’mores. If you have time to take a short getaway this summer, go camping at a nature preserve or forest and extend your time outdoors! These ideas will surely give you and your kids a fun summer break full of imagination, activity, and learning.
