Jul 31 2009
Tips for Entertaining the Kids this Summer
Summer is the best occasion for togetherness while the children are out of school. It can get expensive taking them to theme parks, water parks, and fun centers, especially if you’re on a tight budget. If you are in a similar situation as many Americans are, don’t fret, since there are scores of inexpensive things you can do right at home. These fun things to do are ideal for children under 10 years old. Most of these suggestions are focused around learning activities combined.
Everyday Household Items Can Be Used In Your Games
Use everyday items in your play around the house as props for your pretend news stories. A fun activity to do at home is to play hospital. Have the kids gather a stuffed animal or other toy and then use things from around the house that can serve as make-believe doctor’s tools. Most houses are chock full of odd and ends that can be made into medical instruments. You can also do another variation of this game by pretending to run a television studio where the news is being reported. A stuffed animal or other toys can be used as part of the creative storylines that you and your child are describing to the pretend listeners.
Enjoy a Pretend African Outdoor Experience
A game that is particularly entertaining is to pretend that you’re on a safari trip in your living room. Gather some extra large sheets and fasten the ends into chairs, the sofa, or any strong fixture in the room. Wrap the sheets so that thechildren feel like they are hiding in a canopy forest or in the thick brush where the wild critters can’t see them. If you have a pair of binoculars, take them out to enhance the game. Have your kids gather all of the stuffed critters and animal figures they can find and distribute them throughout the room, mostly hiding from view, and then use the binoculars to peek on them. Once the kids find each animal, shout out the sound that the animal makes. They always have a blast with this game!
Get Outside and Have Fun
A very budget-friendly, yet really active thing to do is to go out as a family for a ride on mountain bikes. If you have younger children, you can include them in a trailer attachment where they can sit in an enclosed seat. For shorter distances, some younger ones might want to use their scooter to get through the ride. To make it even more fun, take your time and call out different items for them to spot while you’re out, like a treasure hunt. Things like birds, flowers, or squirrels can all be great things for everyone to call out as they discover them. This game also works wonderfully on a nature walk and can help kids learn about nature and their environment.
Nighttime Family Fun
When night falls, the fun doesn’t have to be finished! Raise a tent in the back of your house along with binoculars for star gazing. If you have a fire pit or a small charcoal barbeque, you can make a wood-burning fire for them. Have the kids find some tree branches for browning marshmallows. If you have time to take a short getaway this summer, go camping at a local lake or beach and extend your time outside! These suggestions will surely give you and your little ones some much-deserved entertainment, family time, and creativity.
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