Summer break is one of the most exciting times for kids. After all, they don’t have to go to school.
For parents, though, summer break can be a whirlwind of trying to pack things to do in a short amount of time. Whether you’re a stay-at-home parent or you work full time, there are still things that you should try to accomplish with your child while the weather is nice and school is out.
Below are a list of the seven things to do with kids before heading back to school.
Get the checkup
Most schools require children to have certain vaccines in order to attend school, and some require an annual checkup with their pediatrician. Regardless of your school’s stance, getting in to see your child’s doctor early is smart.
That’s because most people tend to put this off until school is about to start, and then it’s hard to get your child in to see the doctor. According to fpeds.com, a Utah pediatricians group, “Having your child see the doctor every year can make it less scary for them as they get older and ensure your child is growing properly.
Let the new school year be a trigger for you to schedule these exams, but don’t wait until the last minute.” Before you start buying backpacks, be sure to schedule your child’s visit.
Get wet
The summer weather can be hot, and it can stay hot for the duration of your day. During the summer months, be sure to make some time to get wet with your child.
There are plenty of ways you can do this:
- Head to the pool
- Set up a sprinkler in the backyard
- Have a water balloon fight
- Have a water gun fight
- Set up other water-based activities in your yard (Slip ‘N Slide, water table, etc.)
You and your child will both enjoy some freedom from the heat, and you’ll be creating fun memories that your child keeps for a long time.
Head to the library
While summer can be packed with plenty of non-educational fun, it’s still a good idea to keep your child learning from books and play, and the library is a great place to make this happen.
Most libraries offer a summer reading program where your child can earn points or prizes for reading. In addition, some libraries also offer other fun summer activities, such as magic shows or live animal encounters, and they are usually free!
Check out your local library this summer and keep your child’s nose in a book for some parts of the summer.
Get physical
Take advantage of the outdoor weather and enjoy some exercise or physical activities.
This could be anything from swimming, to playing baseball, to taking a bike ride around your neighborhood. Find out what activity would interest your child most, and then be sure to make time for these to happen.
It’s even more fun if you can get the rest of your family or local neighbors to participate too.
Camp out
You can either head to a local campsite to make this happen, or just set up your own campground right in your own backyard.
Pull out a tent, some sleeping bags, and all the necessities for s’mores and a campfire, and you will create an exciting night for your little one.
They’ll remember being able to sleep outside and stay up late, and they’ll enjoy spending time with you that doesn’t involve a tablet or other types of electronics.
Explore your town
Chances are there’s a lot more in your town than you’re aware of, so use the summer to do some exploring with your child.
Visit buildings you’ve never been to, check out books about your town’s history, and just take time to explore new areas. You may come across a new park, a fun lake, or something else that keeps you and your child entertained and lets you stay close to home.
Plus, when you explore and find these things together, it makes the memories last so much longer.
Learn something new
Find local classes that cater to your child’s age that you two can do together, whether it’s gaining a new skill or just learning about something you’ve never known.
This will create a bond between the two of you that only you’ll share, and it’s something you can talk about or keep doing as your child gets older.
Spending time with your child this summer is the perfect opportunity for both of you to create memories, and you can knock all these things off your list without having to set aside a fortune to do so.
