Summer holidays is a fixed period during the summer when children don’t go to school. It is the longest school break during the year.
For some parents this is the time when they plan their vacations so they can spend quality time with their children, or they are able to arrange a variety of activities to keep them occupied.
There are so many activities for both children and parents to enjoy during the summertime to keep them both physically and mentally active.
Also, to decrease screen time as much as possible as this addictive practice can be damaging to children’s overall health.
Too much screen time can lead to obesity, sleep problems, chronic neck and back problems, depression, anxiety and lower test scores in children according to Psychiatry, Dr. Aris Mosley:
Here are some activities that children can participate in during the summertime:
Nature walks (hiking)
Bike riding
Art and craft
Fishing
Road trips
Swimming (beach/pool)
Going to the movies
Dance classes
Gardening
Summer camp
Family camping trip
Card games
Crossword puzzle
Journaling
Reading
Play time
Teaching kids simple gardening and even allowing them to grow a plant as their own personal plant will be very beneficial to them. At some point during their school life, they will have to do some form of gardening. With their home experience, they would be a little ahead of their class.
Summer journaling allows your children to reflect on their experiences, feelings, and interests, your child can work through and develop a better understanding of their emotions. It is a chance for them to create something of their own.
Summer reading is critical for students to retain knowledge and skills learned in the previous school year. Students who don’t read are at risk of falling behind their classmates. Parents and teachers can avoid this by making sure kids take time to read. Just like exercise keeps muscles in shape, reading keeps the brain in shape. (study.com).
Playtime creates a safe place for children to express their thoughts and emotions, creating stronger and happy kids. They also learn to react to the world around them, resolves conflicts, build negotiating skills and relieve stress.
Summer camp is also a good program for your children to attend. It helps them develop life long skills, promotes independence, makes time for play, teaches teamwork, teaches resiliency, provides fun screen free activities, encourages a connection with nature, fosters growth and gives children a sense of purpose.
I encourage parents to take time to seek out and plan activities for your children’s summer holidays. This can also be relaxing and rewarding for you too as there are so many activities that you and your children can do together.
As (Raising Kids) so eloquently states it, “Avoid the summer brain drain, and get your kids to pen some prose this summer with these fun kids’ writing activities.”
Works Cited
Brunelli, Laureen, M. Summer writing Activities for Kids. Verywellfamily. (2020). https://www.verywellfamily.com/writing-activities-for-kids-4035183
Gateway Region YMCA. 15 Benefits of Summer Camp for your Kids. (2019). https://gwrymca.org/blog/15-benefits-summer-camp-your-kids.
Mosley, Aris Dr. The Negative Effects of Screen Time for Adults and children. Valley Wise Health, Behavioral Health Services, Mental Health Wellness Now. (2020). https://blog.valleywisehealth.org/negative-effect-of-screen-time-adults-children/
Sarrano, Marisa. The Benefits of Keeping A summer Journal. Education.com Blog. https://blog.education.com/author/mserranoa88b6cf467/page/2/
Sullivan, Alice Dr. Why is Summer Reading so Important for Kids Success? Study.com. https://study.com/blog/why-is-summer-reading-so-important-for-kids-success.html
