Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Summer Ideas

Summer can be a time of great family and outdoor time, but it can also be a time of anxiety for some parents who wonder what to do with their children all summer.  I hope this blog post brings your mind at ease and lets you know that it doesn't have to be too complicated.  Here is a list of some things to do over the summer:

*  Ask your child(ren) to make a 'summer bucket list' of things they would like to do and keep it handy so that you can have a quick reference when you're planning.
*  Visit a Farmer's Market-if you can, drive into the country a bit and check out an area you have never been and make a day of it.
*  Do some outdoor scrubbing-the car, the patio furniture, bikes, or even rocks/shells.  Children love water and love to clean and doing it outdoors means less mess inside!
*  Choose a fun recipe and find a way to engage even the youngest of children in the process-make something to give to the Fire Department, a local nursing home, or even a neighbor.
*  Go for a creek walk-Sharon Woods or Keehner Park are both great places to do this.  Take along a container to collect cool rocks, fossils, or plant life.
*  Go on a family bike ride-Loveland Bike Trail is beautiful and shady for hot days!  They have a couple really yummy restaurants nearby as well.
*  Check out your local Metro Parks for programs for kids of all ages.
*  Visit the Art Museum, Children's Museum, or Eden Park.
*  Have a art day at home-gather all kinds of scraps of wrapping paper, ribbon, magazine pictures and allow your children to create things from those items. 
*  Chalk art on the driveway!
*  Visit the Boonshoft Museum in Dayton-fun and hands on!
*  Play in the sprinkler
*  Use a storage bin to make a water table for outside-add plastic items/cups/utensils
*  Write a letter to a far away friend or relative-for younger children they can dictate to you what they would like you to write-add a picture and take your child to the post office to mail it. 
*  Visit the library and get books on whatever your child is interested in.
*  Do some planting/gardening-involve children in the preparation and care taking process
*  Play dress up and take silly pictures

Hope this list is helpful....don't feel like you have to go and do all the time.......having a pj day at home is fun too!

Most of all, enjoy your children, step back, watch and let them show you what they'd like to do.  :)

www.CMontessori.com

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