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Fun Summer Activities for Kids: Nurturing Creativity, Learning, Exercise, and Social Skills:

Aug 12, 2024 | Mental Health, Faces of HDGH

Blog Post Title with Christopher Sterling-Murphy

Summer is a time of fun and freedom for children, but it also poses a challenge for parents who are looking to keep their kids entertained in meaningful ways. It’s important for children to have the freedom to choose how they spend some of their time through the summer months. It is equally important to include structured activities to ensure children are engaging in various enriching and interactive activities. Working in children’s mental health, I have collaborated with many parents to develop ways to engage children in activities that foster creativity, learning, physical activity and social skills. Here are some of those tips!

Embrace Creativity with the Arts

Encouraging children to express themselves creatively can work to boost their mental health, confidence, and feelings of empowerment. This can include crafts, and also dance, drama, and music! Setting up an art station at home with various supplies can provide endless opportunities for creative expression. Consider these ideas:

Nature Collages: Collect items form the outdoors like leaves, flowers and twigs, and let your child create beautiful collages. This activity will spark creativity, and also gets them outdoors and connect them with the beauty of nature.
Rock Painting: Find smooth rocks and let your children paint them! Not only is this fun for kids, but also provides parents an opportunity to praise children’s efforts and put their work on display in the garden.
Handmade Greeting Cards: Encourage your children to create greeting cards for friends and family members. This can be a fun and creative way for your children to express their emotions, express gratitude, and even foster empathy.
Dance Parties: Some of my best childhood memories stem from dancing outside with my parents and sisters. Put on your kids’ favourite artists, get vulnerable, and show off your moves all around the house or backyard!

Foster Learning with Educational Activities

While it is important that your child have a break from education, keeping their minds active with educational activities can be fun and exciting! Any time your child is trying something new, mastering a new skill, reading, writing, or being exposed to something for the first time, they are learning! Here’s a few ideas:

Science Experiments: Simple experiments like creating a baking soda and vinegar volcano, or creating a rainbow! There are many science experiments online for you and your child to research and choose from.
Read with Your Child: Find age appropriate books and read to your child, or if your child is able, have them read to you! This can be a great way to help your child practice their literacy skills, and is also a great quality time activity for parents and their children.
Nature Journaling: Give your child a journal and encourage them to draw and write about the plants, insects, and animals they observe.
Cooking and Baking: Get your children into the kitchen and have them help create something tasty. Cooking and baking teach math, science, and following directions, while providing a sense of accomplishment and a (hopefully) delicious result!

Keep your Child Moving

Physical activity is essential for children’s mental and physical health. Anytime your child is outdoors, they will expend more energy than when inside. Get your kids outside and get them moving! Here are some fun ways to keep your kids active:

Day Trips: Visit any park, greenspace or trail for a day of bike riding, hiking, or just running around!
Outdoor Games: Classic games like tag, hide-and-seek, corn hole, or capture the flag are a great way to get active, and also teach children about healthy competition.
Water Play: Summers in Southwestern Ontario can be hot! Cool down and get active by setting up a sprinkler or kiddie pool in the back yard. Visiting a splash pad is another great way for your kids to meet other children, while cooling off and keeping active.
Obstacle Courses and Scavenger Hunts: Enhance your child’s problem-solving and observation skills by setting up either an obstacle course or scavenger hunt using household items.

Stay Connected through Group Activities

Social interactions are crucial for developing important life skills like cooperation, communication, social skills, and empathy. Here are a few ideas:

Play Dates: Maintain your child’s friendships from school through the summer by arranging plenty of play dates. Not only will this strengthen your child’s friendships, but it can also reduce anxiety come September when it is time to return to school.
Volunteer Work: Participating in community service activities, such as park clean ups or helping at a food bank can be a great way to connect with your children while instilling a sense of social responsibility and empathy in your children.
Attend Local Festivals: Windsor-Essex hosts many festivals through the summer months which can provide a day of fun and connection to community for you and your family to enjoy! While some cost money, many are free to attend and participate in!
Family Picnic: The idea of eating lunch or dinner on a blanket at the park or beach can be very new and exciting for children. Including them in the picnic preparations will further excite them. You can couple a family picnic with any number of games and activities to create a fun day out for children.

As a parent, you play a vital role in ensuring your child’s summer is both fun and enriching. By incorporating activities that promote creativity, learning, exercise, and connection, you can help your child enjoy a healthy and balanced summer. Any time you get your child outdoors, moving their bodies, trying or learning something new, or spending time with others, you are promoting their healthy development and their mental health. Get creative, have fun, stay safe, and enjoy a great summer!