Summer this year will be a bit different. Camps have been canceled, vacation plans have been pushed back indefinitely, and many parents around the world find themselves working from home or wondering what to do with their kids since so many of the usual activities are now unavailable. Even as the world gets back toward a new normal, things have changed.
Don’t panic, parents. There are still plenty of ways you can keep your kids entertained and learning throughout this summer. When you’re running out of ideas, try some of these activities that are both safe and fun.
Summer Coding Camp Online
Not all camps have to be in-person. Many summer coding camps have successfully switched to online classes in a way that parents can appreciate. The key to providing successful online classes has been small class sizes, more one-on-one interaction with instructors, and the smart use of technology, such as screen-sharing software and learning management software.
You can keep your kids safe by signing them up for online coding classes, ensuring that they still have an educational summer. Coding is one of the best skills your kids can learn. Depending on the class, they can start as young as age seven. Why should your kids learn to code?
- Coding courses teach kids how to build video games from scratch. Even though coding seems like it’s all about technology, kids will love how it’s a creative outlet.
- Coding cultivates better problem-solving skills that transfer to school.
- Coding courses also include a lot of advanced math concepts grounded in practical applications, giving kids an edge when they encounter these concepts in school.
Arts and Crafts
Crafting has exploded in popularity as more people spend time at home, and as a way to engage kids’ creativity. There are tons of great arts and crafts ideas you can do with your children at home. You can set out to do a DIY project like a bird feeder, or you can stock up at a crafts store on materials like markers, glue, construction paper, pipe cleaner, etc.
If you’re on a budget, there are also any number of projects you can come up with that use cheaper materials, like building robots out of recycling or making paintings on aluminum foil.
Explore the Great Outdoors
One of the things every parent wants for their kids is more time outside. Not only are parents feeling anxious about screen time, but having kids run around in the backyard for a few hours is a great way to tire them out, giving parents some much-needed downtime when they come back inside.
If you have the time and ambition, you can get beyond the backyard and see if there are any nearby hiking or walking trails. Do some digging online. You might be surprised what you can find in your local area.
There are fun and safe activities out there this summer. Whether you’re looking for something that will give you time to work from home, or you want to spend some quality time together, there’s still hope for this summer.
