{"id":1388,"date":"2024-04-14T18:31:35","date_gmt":"2024-04-14T18:31:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/crestwoodpreschoolacad.com\/?p=1388"},"modified":"2024-04-14T18:31:35","modified_gmt":"2024-04-14T18:31:35","slug":"fun-and-free-activities-to-do-with-your-child-this-summer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/crestwoodpreschoolacad.com\/fun-and-free-activities-to-do-with-your-child-this-summer\/","title":{"rendered":"Fun (and Free!) Activities to Do With Your Child This Summer"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summer is right around the corner! Summer is celebrated around the country with fun, leisure, and special activities. With some planning and intentionality, you can make this a summer to remember!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Key to a Fun Summer: Planning<\/span><\/h3>\n

At the beginning of summer vacation, you feel like you have all the time in the world. It\u2019s easy to let a few weeks go by\u2013but before you know it, the first day of school is right around the corner. Take advantage of your summer break with just a little planning!<\/span><\/p>\n

Plan the Big Events First<\/span><\/h4>\n

Put the big items on your calendar first: vacations, day trips, visiting family, or other out-of-town trips. Summer camps can be a week or more out of your summer vacation, so these need to be scheduled in advance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Reach out to friends and family for playdates. It takes collaboration to meet up with friends because they have schedules, too! Putting these get-togethers on the calendar early will help you take advantage of every opportunity<\/span><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t Forget About the Work<\/span><\/h4>\n

Summer is about fun, but work still needs to be done. Write out some household or yard projects, planning for no more than one a week.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Summer is an excellent time to include your child in these projects! Let them help you paint the fence in the yard, plant or weed the garden, or hang pictures on the wall. Putting these special projects on the calendar will help you feel accomplished at the end of the summer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Look Up Local Events<\/span><\/h4>\n

Once you have planned the big items on your calendar, you can fill in the gaps with fun local things to do.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Social media pages, local news sources or magazines, and neighborhood bulletins can help discover local events, new parks, parades, and so much more! You can also search for \u201csummer events near me\u201d in a search engine.<\/span><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t Be Exhausted From Your Summer Break!<\/span><\/h4>\n

When planning your summer activities, be sure to schedule regular breaks. Your child shouldn\u2019t be exhausted from their summer break\u2013if they are, they may struggle when school starts. Be sure to schedule a few days off a week for leisure and to recover from busy activities. Take your child\u2019s personality into consideration, too: some children need more rest, while others can handle more activity.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ready for some fun and free summer activity ideas? Here are our favorites!<\/span><\/p>\n

Tap Into the Library<\/span><\/h3>\n

If you haven\u2019t discovered the resources in your neighborhood library, summer is the perfect time! Most libraries have weekly scavenger hunts, baby-kindergarten story times, arts and crafts events, culinary events, LEGO play dates, science experiments, and <\/span>so<\/b> much more!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Many libraries have reading challenges where kids can win prizes. These help children stay motivated, improve their reading skills, and keep their brains sharp during the academic break.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Most events at libraries are free and require no registration, so they are the perfect activity to add to your calendar.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Camp In the Backyard<\/span><\/h3>\n

Camping provides many wonderful childhood memories. Luckily, you don\u2019t have to pack up your whole house or forfeit indoor plumbing when you camp in your own backyard!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Children are just as delighted with pitching a tent, roasting hot dogs and marshmallows over a campfire, and stargazing in their backyard as they are in the middle of the forest. Backyard camping is a low-risk activity because if things don\u2019t go well, you can just go inside! But if your child loves camping, you can try an official campground later.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Watch an Outdoor Movie<\/span><\/h3>\n

Going to the movies can be expensive and you\u2019re limited to what you can watch. But with just a projector, a big sheet, a speaker, and some blankets and pillows, you can have a memorable outdoor movie experience!<\/span><\/p>\n

Invite over some friends or keep it small; go all out with a candy and s\u2019mores bar or just pop some popcorn. The details are up to you! Either way, your kids will love watching their favorite movie outside.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nature Hike and Picnic Lunch<\/span><\/h3>\n

There\u2019s only so much video gaming and television watching that a kid can (or should!) do in the summer. Time to get outdoors and explore nature! Pack a picnic lunch and find a local hiking trail. Many parks in your area have walking paths or easy hiking trails. Even better, pick a park that has a splash pad and pack a swimsuit to cool off after your hike!<\/span><\/p>\n

To make your nature hike more engaging and educational, bring along a bird or insect identification guide, print out a scavenger hunt page, or bring along a bag or cup to collect interesting nature items and flowers for a bouquet.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Enjoy the Water<\/span><\/h3>\n

Children of all ages love to play in the water, even if it\u2019s just splashing in a shallow pool. While adults typically think of swimming in a pool as the main summer activity, this isn\u2019t always possible from a time and financial standpoint. But that doesn\u2019t mean you have to miss out on water fun! Here are some easy ways to enjoy water activities:<\/span><\/p>\n