It's summer time and school is out! For some kids, it's a time to take a break from all of the school work and enjoy time off. But kids get bored sitting around the house. Do you find that your kids have trouble finding things to do other than watch T.V.? Don't worry -- we have some great ideas to keep your kids active during the summer! Try these fun tips to keep your kids active, help them learn and try new things!
- Bean Bag Toss with Plastic Bowls. Take large plastic bowls and line them up in a row and let your kids toss bean bags into each. To help with addition or counting, you could add numbers to the bowls and the kids could try to add up their score.
- Grow seeds. Growing seeds with kids is so much fun and they can watch as the seeds start to sprout. Wet a paper towel, put any type of dried bean in a clear cup or jar and set in the sunlight. Let your child check each day to see if it has grown.
- Make homemade popsicles. Homemade popsicles are a great way to cool off during the summer and your child will love helping to make them. Mix fresh fruit and low-fat yogurt of fresh fruit and 100% fruit juice, place in a mold and let them freeze.
- Farmers' Market. Let your child enjoy a farmers' market. Walk around the market; let your child talk to the farmers who are there, and then choose a fruit or veggie that they would like to try. Let them help prepare it when you get home.
- Try a new food each week. It can be difficult to get kids to try new foods, but summer time is the perfect time to let your kids choose a new fruit or veggie that is in season. It will taste great and your child might find new foods that they like.
- Have fun with water. Let your child run through the sprinklers at home. When they are outside, use a water bottle to play water bottle squirt tag or play catch with water balloons.
These are great activities on a hot day when kids don't mind getting wet.
- Make an obstacle course. Too hot to be outside? Find different things around the house to make an obstacle course. Try having kids jump rope, do 10 jumping jacks, run around "bases", and bounce a basketball 20 times. Have your child invite friends over and see who can do it the fastest.
- Go on a nature walk. Talk a walk around the neighborhood or at a nearby park and see how many different colors and objects that your child can point out. This is a great way to get some physical activity and spend time together.
- Physical activity cube. Make a cube with 6 different pieces of paper. Write out different physical activites on each side of a cube (jump 5 times, hop on 1 foot for a minute, flap your arms like a bird, spin in a circle, dance for 30 seconds, bend over a touch your toes 10 times). Let your child toss the cube and do the activity that it lands on. Join in -- your child will enjoy the physical activity even more when you do it with them!
- Try a new sport. Summer is the time when there are many different sports to try. Your child doesn't have to play on a team to have fun and learn. Try getting a ball that is soft and let your child learn how to throw and catch. Another great idea is getting a soccer ball and having your child kick it to you.
What are your favorite activities to do with your kids during the summer? For more ideas about how to get your child to be active, visit these websites:
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