Keeping Kids Entertained During Summer Break

Summer is coming and the kids will be looking for things to keep them busy. This is a guide about keeping kids entertained during summer break.

Solutions: Keeping Kids Entertained During Summer Break

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Take Your Kids For A Walk

My husband and I have to work out entertainment on a very tight budget. I have two little boys, age 5 and 3. When my boys get the stir crazies, we take a walk to the closest park in the neighborhood. On the way, we use it as a learning experience. We look for special shapes, colors, textures, etc. There are endless possibilities to this game that we play on the way to the park. We play for a while and then we walk a different route home.

This is one of many different ways we get rid of the stir crazy boys. I hope this suggestion helps a lot. We save lots of money by doing it and they also get a learning experience as well.

By auntielala12000 from Pekin, IL

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Summertime Activities for Your Children

I have raised 4 girls plus provided day care for many children for several years. Now I take care of a 2 year-old and a 6 year-old granddaughter during school breaks. Frugal living is nothing new to us as I was raised in a family of 11 kids and many foster children. We may have struggled because money was tight, but we never seemed to lack for fun things to do and there was always something going on that held our attention.

We plant mobile gardens that the kids are responsible for. In an unusable wheelbarrow we plant beans or tomato plants. In an old rusted Radio Flyer wagon we planted onion sets. Be sure to either put holes in the unusable garden containers or put a layer of pebbles in the bottom under the soil/potting mixture to allow for drainage or the plant roots will rot and cause kid's tears when their garden doesn't grow well. We also plant lettuce (and keep re-planting all summer long) in flower pots.
To lure in butterflies, we broadcast flower seeds in several "lawn" areas. This also saves on mowing - less gas and a great place to watch butterflies and catch grasshoppers and frogs.
We enjoy days of "teddy bear or dolly" picnics. Make a picnic lunch and kids take teddy bear or dolly to it. You can do this weekly - kids love it!
Bubbles! Dollar stores have large bottles of the bubbles or you can make your own. And you can have lots of fun and exercise chasing them! I find it is lots of fun to blow bubbles when the wind is blowing just a bit - I can just hold the bubble wand up and the wind does the work!
Go to your local library once every week or two and get as many books on nature: trees, flowers, insects, backyard treasures as you can then look for those items in your yard. Maybe even start a scrapbook with those treasures. You should also pick up several books (that the kids help choose) and read, read, READ! Some libraries also have a story-time or other activity that is free and fun that will inspire any age.
Let the kids work on a treasure box for their finds. You can pick up empty shoe boxes next time you go to/past a shoe store - they give away free. Let the kids spend one day decorating them with crayons, markers, stickers etc. Then they can begin filling them with treasures they find.
We know people in nursing homes - find out what day/time the home will allow kids to visit and allow the kids to do that. Not only will it brighten the nursing home residents day, but the kids will most likely gain an appreciation for the elder humor.

Sorry this is long - I have a lot more ideas on vacation fun on little or no money, so will hope to post more as time permits. Have fun!

By myhomemadedolly from Groton, NY

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Summer Fun: Kids Newspaper

If your kids are wanting something fun to do this summer, have them start their own paper. They can interview the neighbors that they know, and write stories about their own life, then type, edit, and print or email their newspaper the neighbors and friends that they know.

Three of my little cousins started doing this one summer when we all spent two weeks together in the mountains, and they are still doing it every season for the last three years.

By McCollonough from TN

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"Mom, I'm Bored!": Summer Activities

Summer brings mixed feelings. Usually the first week is fun, but after a few days we hear the familiar refrain, "Mom, I'm bored, what can I do?"

Some mothers can stay at home with their children but some have to go to their jobs while the kids are out of school. You might consider having a teenager or mother in your neighborhood watch your children during the summer rather than the day care center. If you have a reliable teenager or neighbor nearby, you may save some money on daycare and let your children enjoy being home.

Get the kids involved in additional chores around the house before letting them go out to play. Even the smallest can share in small cleaning jobs. "We have to get the house clean and the chores done before we can go play." This helps to give them a schedule and organize their time. It also adds to their sense of responsibility. (Feed the dogs and cats, change their linens, clean the tub, mop floors, dust, vacuum, collect their dirty clothes, sweep.)

Arrange with other mothers in your area to share the child care. This will allow you to take some time for yourself or take care of the things that are easier to do without the kids.

Think up some good summer projects i.e. plant a vegetable garden, developing new skills with craft projects, learning a foreign language (tapes are available at the library). Summer allows for many schools skills to be forgotten so as much as you can do to stimulate their continued learning, the better.

Take them on nature hikes and teach them about the environment, local plants and animals.

Teach them about simple food preparation.

Check with your local library for fun activities and summer reading programs.

I'm sure many of you have lots of good ideas how to keep kids busy and learning during the summer. Submit them below or use the Contact Us Link to the left and we'll add them for you.

By Susan Sanders-Kinzel

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Keeping Kids Busy

In the summer the kids need things to do for fun and learning. It's a good time to broaden their education, especially outdoors. Here are some links of sites with indoor and outdoor activities for children.

Kids Online Activities

Here's a site with fun activities, online games for kids ages 5-14. The site originates in Australia. There is a place for your child to write their own story and post it online plus there are spelling, math, reading and writing activities. There are also activities for kids with ADHD and learning disabilities.

http://www.edbydesign.com/kidsact.html

National Geographic Kids Activity Site

This site includes coloring books and science experiments plus lots of fun information about animals and places around the world.

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/kids/activities/

Kids Gardening (Safety)

Here are some great safety tips for gardening with your children.

http://www.kidsgardening.com/family.asp

Aggie Horticulture Just For Kids

An introduction to the many ways children can interact with plants and the outdoors.

Education.com

Here is a great website for keeping kids' school skills up during the summer. There are lots of activities and downloads.

http://www.education.com/activity/all-grades/all-grades/all-topics/

Mom, I'm Bored!

Here's an article we published last year.

http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf563278.tip.html

What are your favorite activities to keep the kids busy and learning in the summer?

By Susan Sanders-Kinzel

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Clean Up After Water Balloon Fights

Water balloon fights are always a big hit at summer kids parties, but the burst balloons all over the ground are a hazard to wildlife and curious toddlers. Encourage kids to clean up by offering a prize for the one who picks up the most bits of rubber balloon.

By Linda

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Plan Summer Activities With School Curriculum In Mind

Every year before the last day of school, I obtain a copy of the coming year curriculum. I evaluate it and note any summer activities that will help my kids gain a healthy headstart.

Last year, we discovered that my upcoming first grader would be studying George Washington and the Revolutionary War. Over that summer, we checked out books and age appropriate videotapes on our first President. We also visited a historical home in Maryland which conducted Revolutionary War reenacting and participated in hands-on activities such as firing a musket and starting a fire using flint and steel. He got to see first hand the types of tents and clothes and conditions our nation's patriots fought under.

Matching the curriculum to museum exhibits and community activities is a fun and easy way to incorporate learning during the long summer months.

Many school districts post their curriculum by grade on their website. I've also asked the principal to allow us to borrow next year's textbook which also helps in planning activities.

By Pearl from Gaithersburg, MD

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Keeping Kids Entertained on Summer Vacation

During summer vacation kids need to rest, as well as, keep busy. So many parents are concerned about making their kids have a productive summer that they forget that summer is also a time to sit back and relax. Here are some tips for a fun, educational, and relaxing summer vacation:

Check out your local library and/or bookstore for summer reading programs, free craft classes, etc. Our local library has something pretty much every day for kids.

Explore Town: Give kids some cameras and go around and explore your community. Make photo-essays. Take "up-close and far away" pictures of the town. With everyone driving everywhere, it's sometimes hard to notice the fun and interesting things that are in your community. Create a scavenger hunt, go on a bird watch, do rubbings of interesting architectural features, etc.

Do-It-Yourself: Provide your kids with do-it-yourself activities: A bunch of dollar-store puzzles, a bag of books from the thrift shop, dress-up clothes and a big box of arts and craft supplies (scissors, construction paper, markers, etc.) can help kids learn to amuse themselves.

Free Fridays: Lots of children's museums (and some science museums) offer free Friday admissions to their museums. Check this out online. Often I type in "Free activities kids" + my zip code or town's name to find out what is going on for free in my area.

Budding Scientists: Check out the old show ZOOM's website for some great science and art activities (activity guides, printables, and other cool science stuff.) at www.pbskids.org/zoom.

Let Them Be: It is very important to let children have some time to just relax and be themselves - to putter around and relax. Nowadays in our schools, kids have lost their recesses, their days are scheduled by teachers and daycare providers, and they spend way too much time in front of their video games and TVs. Make sure you give kids some free, electronics-free time, to use their imaginations, read, learn to play with friends without adult interference and referees, and figure out who they are.

By Veronica

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Watch for Free Kids Events

To keep kids entertained, look for free events. Sometimes programs offer 1 free class with no obligation. Gymboree, Little Gym, and Stroller Strides do this. Additionally, some churches have open play times for a minimal fee. If a church near you doesn't, see if your church might be willing to do that. All you need is a multipurpose room and some toys. The kids love it!

By Laurie from Circle City, AZ

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Fantastically Frugal Family Fun

Family activities don't have to be elaborate or costly to be enjoyable. Often the simplest activities are the ones kids enjoy the most. We've taken our kids to Walt Disney World and a host of other extravagant vacations, but the things they seem to enjoy the most are going on picnics and having family game night.

I can't guarantee that your family will enjoy all of these activities, but there's sure to be something here to please just about everyone.

Plan a family game night: Although Hasbro seems to think they patented the idea of family game night, families have been enjoying playing games together for generations. The best way to host a family game night is to select one or two games that your family enjoys playing, pop some popcorn or buy some munchies, turn on some good tunes and play. If you've got little ones in the house, it's always a good idea to choose a few games that they have a fair shot of winning. And believe me, nothing gives a kid more satisfaction than feeling that they've beat their parents at something.
Visit a local zoo: Nothing brings out the kid in all of us than a trip to visit the critters at the zoo. If you're lucky enough to live by a large free zoo, like Lincoln Park in Chicago or the St. Louis Zoo, plan several visits throughout the year because some animals are extremely active in the summer and sluggish in the winter while others are active in the winter. Unfortunately not every zoo in the country is free, some charge ungodly admission prices, but these fees can be circumvented if you're a savvy shopper and pay attention to your local newspaper. Many zoos offer free or reduced price admission to certain events or with coupons that are available in local newspapers or visitors' guides. As an example, Brookfield Zoo, which normally charges $7 a person admission, offers free admission on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the months of January, February, March, October, November, and December.
Visit a nature preserve: Many nature preserves around the country offer educational programs on the weekends or during the week. Some of these give kids: and adults: the opportunity to see wild animals and birds up close and personal. Other programs teach kids how to recognize wild animal tracks and educate them on the critters and plants that live around their hometown. These programs are especially good for smaller children who might be intimidated by the lions and tigers found at large zoos.
Take a hike: While you're at your local nature preserve or forest preserve, get some exercise by taking a hike. Most forest preserves and state parks have clearly marked trails through the woods. These trails are usually marked with a difficulty level and distance to enable you to tailor your hike to your fitness level.
Volunteer together: Taking some time out to help the less fortunate can be a great way to spend time together as a family and teach your kids the great feeling that comes from helping others. Deciding exactly how and where to volunteer should be a family decision and you should defiantly take into account the ages and temperaments of your kids. Don't discount volunteering just because your kids are young, even younger kids can help fill bags at a food pantry. To find volunteer activities in your community, visit http://www.pointsoflight.org/.
Cook together: All too often at our house dinner is a rushed affair that my husband or I throw together to fill our stomachs. Usually on these occasions, we decline offers of help from our kids because we know that cooking with kids generally takes longer than cooking alone. However, every so often: and it is not as often as it should be: we invite the kids into the kitchen to help us cook. It's a great way to help kids feel that they're contributing to the family and it's a chance to talk and find out what's going on in their lives. If you don't have the time to involve your kids in cooking dinner, set aside a Saturday afternoon to make cookies together or get out the cook book and make some banana bread or pumpkin bread. And I bet that the goodies your kids help make will taste a million times better than those you make all by yourself.
Explore your hometown: Taking a full-fledged vacation every year is not always possible, but you can have just as much fun taking time to explore your hometown. Even if you live in a small town, chances are you have a local museum or park nearby that you can spend an afternoon exploring. Or check out your local newspaper to see what events are coming up.
Have a picnic: Somehow food always tastes better eaten outside and the food doesn't have to be elaborate either, we've had picnics with burgers picked up from our local fast food restaurant and picnics with sandwiches prepared at home and taken to the park. No matter where you live, chances are you can find a small corner of nature to park your blanket on and enjoy the sun for an hour or two.
Have an indoor picnic: Don't let the fact that it's snowing or raining outside deter you from having a picnic. Get out a blanket, grab some sandwiches, and have an indoor picnic. And if it's the middle of winter and you're longing for sun, rent some beach movies and pop them in the VCR to bring the sounds of summer into your home for a few hours.
Play in the yard with the hose: Kids love to see Mom and Dad acting like kids, so the next time you're washing the car or watering the plants, turn the hose on your kids and be prepared to hear them squeal with delight, but don't be surprised if your enterprising kids find a bucket of water to dump over your head.
Have a snowball fight or go sledding: Summer isn't the only time you can have fun outside with your kids. The next time it snows, go outside and build a snowman, instigate a snowball fight, or find the nearest hill and experience the joy of rushing through the snow on an impossibly small piece of wood or plastic. And when you're done, don't forget to cap off the day with some hot chocolate.
Design a family Website: The Internet is a great way to stay in touch with far flung friends and family members and what better way to stay in touch than by staking your claim in cyberspace and building a family Web site. You don't even have to be a real techie to put together a passable Web site. Many sites, such as Geocities.com and AOL.com, offer free Websites with site builders that make it easy to create a Website. And if you only want to post photos, take advantage of Yahoo's briefcase to create family albums. Websites don't have to be limited to photos, you could also scan children's artwork and type in stories and other school projects created by your kids.
Build a band: Kids love music and what better way to foster their creativity and love of music than by creating and playing instruments. Guitars can be made with tissue boxes and rubber bands and drums can be created out of round oatmeal boxes or coffee cans.
Go camping: Some of our best times as a family have been spent talking around a campfire late at night. We love making S'mores, roasting marshmallows, and enjoying a campfire cooked meal. Even if you don't have a tent or a trailer, you can still enjoy camping in many state and local parks that rent camping gear. Some parks in Illinois rent out small cabins for $35 a night.

Next time you think that you can't afford to have fun with your family, get out your creativity and this list and plan a fantastically frugal family adventure.

By Lori Enos

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Questions

Here are questions related to Keeping Kids Entertained During Summer Break.

Summer Schedule for Kids

What is a good schedule for a mother with 2 kids starting with the morning time. I feel so tired and clueless on what I have to do when I wake up and throughout the day. What can I do to keep my kids busy and entertained? What is a good schedule to keep busy? My son is 9 years old and my daughter is 7 weeks old.

Michelle from EL Paso, TX

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Most Recent Answer

By Peggy (Guest Post) 08/04/2008

Try FlyLady.net for ideas and suggestions for FlyCamp - an at-home summer camp for mother and children.

Keeping Preteens Entertained In Summer

What can my grandson do to beat boredom this summer? He is 11 and is driving me crazy! I keep him in the daytime while his parents work. I won't let him play on the computer and he's tired of his Playstation games. (I refuse to buy him any more). Does anyone have any ideas? There aren't many kids his age that live close by for him to play with. Any ideas?

Linda from Alabama

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Most Recent Answer

By Cosmos mom (Guest Post) 05/11/2008

If he can use the computer try introducing him to RuneScape (SP). My boys are 8 and 11 and they love it. It is an interactive mid-evil type game. They play with others on the internet. They have to hunt, fish and keep track of their money. It is a fun game and teaches them a little. Not a total brain dead game. It does cost about 10 a month to play but it is well worth it. I do kick the boys outside to play hockey and basketball and give them time to play on the computer also.

Summer Schedule for Kids

My kids have no schedule. None. During the school year they did, but I have been EXTREMELY lax since the summer began. I need advice on making a schedule for them for the rest of the summer. They are 9 (going to 4th grade) and 7 (going to 2nd grade).

During the school year, they got up at 7:30, did their morning routine and rode the bus to school. After school, it was homework, dinner, showers, stories/snack, a little t.v. and then bed at 9. Mondays, once a month, were scout pack meetings and every week on thursday were scout den meetings. That has also let out for the summer and picks back up in September.

Right now, this is pretty much their (our) schedule. They get up whenever they feel like it, usually around 9 or 10. They eat/get dressed, then we leave to pick up my mom and go to the gym. After that we hang out at my sister's for a while or at my mom's. Then we come home in time for my hubby, around 3:30.

I make dinner while they play around the neighborhood with the other kids. I call them in for dinner when it's ready. (we use walkie talkies, lol) They eat dinner then go back outside to play until around 9:30, when they come in and take a shower, watch tv and hit the bed, with a movie in their room.

They don't read, they don't do the expensive computer games and workbooks we bought from school to help them prepare for school. I just don't know what kind of schedule to have or where to start. Can someone help me?

Thanks!
Linda

RE: Summer Schedule for Kids

It sounds like they are having a good summer! Summer is meant to be relaxed and memorable. Are they having behavior problems? Did their teachers recommend extra schooling or computer games to get them ready for the next school year?

My eight year old son is in a book club that meets on Tuesday mornings and has a tutoring session on Thursday mornings for one hour but other than that he doesn't have a schedule. I have seen behavior changes in him if he watches too much tv (ie cartoons) so we limit his tv watching by using tv tickets. He gets 14 tickets for the week and each ticket is worth 1/2 hour of tv or 50 cents to be turned back into me. So, he could earn $7 for the week to spend or save up for what he wants. Most of the time he gets $4 or $5 for the week but he has to be inovative with his day, thus less problems. If you are wanting to start some type of schedule with them I would recommend that they go to bed earlier in the evening, wake up earlier and start the day with school review, just to keep their skills up. (07/20/2005)

By jordanzmom

RE: Summer Schedule for Kids

Our schedule is similar but every morning Mon_ Fri she does some school work. Not lots just a few pages of Math & reading or language. She knows no TV or out until it is done. We start in August coming in a little earlier & getting to bed. Every week a half an hour earlier.(07/20/2005)

By Cau.

RE: Summer Schedule for Kids

I agree, let them kickback. My only advice is once a week, visit library. Do something constructive and also not to let them get in the habit of sleeping in and in and in...my grand daughter is allowed to sleep until 11-12 everyday and I HATE IT, I feel it breeds a lax and lazy habit with no initiative! As they get older you can add structured activities, swim team, tennis, rec-board activities to keep the initiative going! (07/20/2005)

RE: Summer Schedule for Kids

Lucky children! Summer should be a no-routine time. They are building memories that will bring them enjoyment for the rest of their routine-driven lives. (07/21/2005)

By Josephine

RE: Summer Schedule for Kids

Summer is for fun. You should be thrilled that are they are playing outside instead of being glued to the computer. Kids NEED to play! (06/06/2006)

By Katmommy

RE: Summer Schedule for Kids

I like the idea of TV Tickets. I may try using that! I am the evil step mom that stopped them from watching countless of hours of tv every day and limited them to one hour....TV Tickets makes it more of a fun game for them, while also teaching responsibility.

During the first summer of being 'step-mom' I used a rigid schedule...I worked from home and they had been spoiled by grandma so much that they were unruly...they also had issues with too many video games changing their behavior, so I limited it to 30 minutes during school days and 1 hour during the summer.

They woke up and had breakfast at 8 and then got ready for the day, played outside, and then I had them do worksheets till lunch time. The worksheets I printed from online and they were grade appropriate for the coming year. I helped them minimally, but it was better to have them quietly ask me questions than the run around the house being noisy while I tried to concentrate (we had a very small house).

Then lunch, then they would watch some TV and play video games and then do chores. By that time I was done working and I would have them play outside or in their rooms while I made dinner...and occasionally they would help with dinner. The following year, the kids excelled at school and our 8 year old already knew all his times tables for 3rd grade before it even started. He aced his SOL's.

Now that we have moved to a bigger house, the kids are more in control, and there is more space for them to roam...they are used to playing more without video games and TV as a crutch, so I have been more relaxed but I did get them in a day camp for a week, took them to VBS at church for a week, they took swimming lessons one week, and they have been going to the library twice a week with their grandma and to the pool once a week, so she still gets to spend time with them. They also have free movies on Tuesday mornings at our local theater for kids, so she will at times take them there. That way they get out of the house and have fun, but also learn and behave.

The house is a lot more peaceful but if you're not a home-worker, all the time they spend with you is doing them good regardless. It's less time they have outside influences, and more time they learn the value of family, if they just do some workbook activities for an hour each day and maybe computer instead of TV at night, they will learn and enjoy it (kids actually thrive in structure and discipline - our 6 year old asked me for a summer schedule!) and they will definitely be leaps ahead of the other school kids the coming year...

Hope this helps! (08/06/2007)

By Kristi

Summertime Activities for Your Children

Keeping your school age children happy, physically active, and learning during the summer.

I am a retired teacher and always used to say that we should float a bond referendum for teacher pay raises the second week of August! Parents who are not accustomed having the children at home all day have to adjust their schedules in order to fit in the needs of their youngsters. Below are some suggestions one might consider:

Vacation Bible Schools - All children are welcomed at these, not just church members. If you are taking your children, round up some of their playmates to join them. (You'll make some Mom's day!)

Morning Movies for Kids - Our local theater has a kids program at 10:00 a.m. during the summer. Because of the popularity of this program, they are now offering it several times a week. The admission is very little and they have a great concessions special.

Visit Your Local Library - Kids can be entertained for hours in the quiet air-conditioned venue offered by the library. See if yours has a special craft/story time program which your children might enjoy. If you don't have a computer at home, take them to the library. It's free and they'll know how to operate them.

Take a Field Trip to a Nearby Park - There are many beautiful public parks that offer more than just playground equipment. Often there are nature trails with the plants/trees identified, ducks to feed (take your stale bread and leftover popcorn), places for a picnic and all for free. Many state parks have rangers there to present free informative stories about the site.

Set Aside a Quiet Time Each Afternoon - Encourage them to read or rest during this time; no TV and only quiet music. Post a chart with numbered lines on it in an easily accessible place. Make a chart for each child and have them record the names of the books they read. Have them give an oral report to you and their siblings.

For younger children you can make a bookworm by cutting out colorful body segments and adding the name of each book as they read it. They love to see it grow. For your non-readers, make them one with the books they have sat and listened to you read to them. Your children will be much better prepared to start school again in the fall if you continue this practice through the summer. You could also work out some kind of point system for a more tangible reward if you choose.

Swimming Outings - Most children love to splash in the water. Have them run through the sprinkler when you're watering your garden or lawn. For even more fun, join them for a walk in the rain (not a thunderstorm, of course) with flip flops, clothing that it's okay to get wet, and no umbrella. They'll love to see you showing your kid side and you'll have some good laughs together.

Farmer's Market or Pick-It-Yourself Farm - If possible, plant some easy to grow vegetables in your yard or in containers on the deck or patio. Potatoes are a good choice because they require little, if any, attention and digging them is like a treasure hunt. If you don't want to plant your own garden, take them to a farm where they will be allowed to pick what they will be having for dinner.

Plan a Scavenger Hunt - Adjust the clues to suit the age of each child. Invite some friends over for even more fun.

Find Other Parents Whom You Trust and Do an Exchange - That way you'll each have a day off to catch up on whatever you choose to spend it doing.

Enjoy these days because you'll miss them when those little ones are grow and no longer need your suggestions for entertainment.

Source: Years of experience as a camp counselor, teacher, a stay-at-home mother and the "Mommy who likes to." (A title given to me by my son when he was in grade school. After a couple of exhausting weeks of grade-parenting, supervising their friends who came to swim or play, transporting many whose parents couldn't, baking cookies for school parties, etc., I slipped and said something I wished I hadn't the minute it slipped out of my mouth. "Why am I always the one who...? My son replied, "Because you're the mommy who likes to." That makes it all worth it.

By Sandy from Elon, NC

Editor's Note: Do you have a favorite frugal way to occupy your children in the summertime? Share it with us here.