Ensuring the Best Summer Break for Your Children

Make This Your Best Summer Ever

Are you looking forward to the hot sun and a cool breeze this summer? Do your dreams of a blissful summer evaporate when you remember that the kids won't be at school? Winging your way through summer may work for some people, but kids thrive on structure. That doesn't mean you have to do the same thing every day. You don't have to toss out last-minute movie nights with friends or surprise trips to get ice cream. The key to a fantastic summer, with kids, is a mix between structured activities, quiet relaxation, and a sprinkling of surprises.

The Calendar is Your Friend

Sprinkle the summer with some bigger fun adventures. Things like a visit to Grandma's or a weekend spent camping can be something to really look forward to. Don't forget to plan some things close to home a well. You can search the internet for summer events Utah, and find fun things to do right in your own backyard. Events like concerts, fairs, plays, parades, music festivals, and more can make your summer fly by.

Copy the Experts

Don't be afraid to copy the experts in kids' summer fun. Summer camps have been making summers magical for over 50 years. Steal from their summer playbook to make your day run a little more smoothly. Have a basic schedule for when everyone should be up in the morning and what time lunch will be served. Write this down somewhere where all the kids can see it so that you won't be plagued with the question, "When is lunch?" Assign the kids jobs so that everyone is helping with the meals. That includes cleaning up the meals!

Plan a little time each day for the kids to do something they love. Crafting, art, Lego building, swimming, and playing video games are great options. If you have a set time and time limit for those activities, you won't find yourself wondering if they will ever turn the TV off.

Plan Some Downtime

If you don't plan it, it might not happen. It can feel overwhelming for kids and parents to spend the entire day together. Tempers can run short, and the level of sassiness can rise. Make everyone's life easier by having a set time every day where everyone, even you, Mom, sits still and enjoys something quiet. Read a book, take a nap, write, or draw each day. It is just as important to plan quiet time as it is to plan activities.

Spending time together can create wonderful summer memories. Don't ruin summer by getting sick of each other by the end of June. The best summer is one where there is a balance of fun and quiet. One with activities away and at home. Keep the kids happy this year by learning something new or going somewhere new. Make some family traditions like everyone reading five new books on their own and then celebrating with a pizza party.

Trust your kids to be creative. They can plan a backyard obstacle course or a stuffed animal parade. Older children can write skits or hang up a sheet for some outside movie watching. I bet they can even figure out how to work a mini projector.

Look Around

In addition to larger community activities, you may find your local library to be a great resource. There are often youth activities planned at the library. Libraries are great places to find playdates, clubs, and local learning opportunities. Don't pass libraries by, even if you aren't an avid reader.

With a little bit of planning, you can make this summer the best one yet. The most important thing is that you get to spend time with your kids. Remember that summer is supposed to be relaxing. Plan in downtime so that you can recharge your batteries and make it until the first day of school. Don't dread your summer, make it amazing.