1. Study. No, really. Kids who don’t keep up their studies over the summer fall behind. We actually did our end of school year wrap-up with a discussion of what skills needed practice over the summer. Now’s a good time to think about it and set up a schedule.
2. Trips to local museums, galleries, planetariums, observatories, science centers, farms, whatever your community offers. It’s easy to make a list of nearby places your kids want to explore and plan a series of outings over the summer. Also check out community classes and day camps. There are lots of opportunities and many of them don’t cost much.
3. Projects at home. Before school ended, we had already picked up a book on origami animals and a bracelet-making kit. Next on our list, embroidery hoops and floss, since the kids loved learning how to embroider at the art festival earlier this spring. You can find all kinds of things for kids in craft stores, fabric stores, art supply stores, and bookstores. Stock up now and be ready to whip one out when the initial glee of freedom ends with a plaintive “I’m bored!” Also, school age children are old enough to begin learning to cook.
4. Summer reading at your local library.
5. Start a garden project, any scale, from a pot of herbs on the patio to a square-foot-garden. Kids love to dig in dirt and see the whole process go from seed to food.
You have a full list!
I’m suddenly intrigued by fairy houses. Thinking of making this the activity I plan for my nieces and nephews when we all get together. Meanwhile, I’ve discovered the amazing art of Sally J. Smith: http://www.greenspiritarts.com/Greenspirit_Arts_Cards_-_Faerie_Houses_Collections.html.
I’ve learned that you have to think/act ahead on this stuff. Busy kids are much easier to deal with than bored kids. : O Sally Smith really is amazing, thanks for sharing the link! We need to do fairy houses another time. Right now they’re working on a bat house with husband (who handles all the dangerous tools), and that’s a very cool project.