Tips on Summer Fun for Kids

How do you keep kids from getting bored during the summer?

• We do outings in the morning for adventure and exercise to fun places like the parks pools and local attractions.
• We swap playdates with another family so that Mommy can get some alone time and we can take turns doing activities with the kids!
• We try to do one outdoor thing a day.
  
• While we are at home, I try to balance tv viewing and free play time live rotating sitting activities with moving activities.
  
• Keeping Kids Active:  We got our kids pedometers. They have been counting their steps all summer -- comparing how much they've walked during days at camp vs. walks at the Zoo vs. hikes vs. amusement parks. They even bounce around extra time to beat their sibling's number! This gift ended up being one of the best ways to keep my kids fit this summer.
  
• I have my daughter help me with different household duties that she is able to do (vacuum, load/unload dishwasher, etc.) and she actually likes it because she feels useful!
• We have the kids help cook, set the table... We have been eating outside also to get more fresh air.
• Having standing weekly playdates provides the structure to keep boredom at bay. 
• I try to share many of the things on MY to-do list with my son! For instance, our family needs to work on disaster preparedness, so my third-grader and I will research it on the Red Cross site, shop for our food supply, and make the plans, then share with Dad. It's great experience for my son, and a great way for him to be responsible and contribute to the household.
• Aside from playdates and camps, we started a family summer challenge where each member can earn points doing various activities. For instance, we can earn points for reading a book, doing 20 minutes of a kind gesture for someone, drinking 6-8 glasses of water, doing an hour of exercise/playing outside, spending quality time with another family member one on one, or spending quiet time engaged in a favorite hobby. Before school begins, the winner with the most points gets to choose a special all day fun activity for the entire family to do together. 
• We have been hitting all of the parks! We go up to red rock to cool off. 
• My favorite activity is to give the kids a few different paint brushes and a cup of water and they will paint the cement porch for hours! It's a blast and for the parents, the only mess is the water!
• Activities include:  We go to the beach every other day, attend camps, play tennis, hike, soccer, go to the park, plant flowers in the garden, re-organize the kids rooms adding an older touch, plan lots of play dates, take pictures and share them with the family (overseas), bake cookies, plan lots of projects like beading, drawing, wood projects, & painting.
  
• Attend concerts at the Park at Chase Palm Park, pack a picnic and enjoy some music.
  
• We plan activities almost every day- from going skating or going to the park, attending vacation bible schools, or going swimming. We check this site for more fun activities around town.
  
• My son has been going to preschool since he turned 18 months. What I like to do so that he doesn't get bored is to play school in the mornings just like he does when he is at school. We have a morning work time, circle time, snack, and lunch! I also invite other kids his age to come over and make our mornings into a fun summer camp! 
• I made a schedule every week and I try to go a different places.

• My 3 year old is starting to memorize some short books- mostly board books. Whenever he reads/recites a book to me, I write down the name of that book and draw a small picture of something memorable from the book so that he can keep track of all of the books he can read. He also gets a sticker on his reading chart for every book he reads!
• I got a big Kindergarten workbook from Costco and I have my daughter work on some pages every day. We also read and make up stories.
• We research books and read reviews (On sites like the Public Library and NPR), reading about all the new books is very motivating! And, we read together, in different 'summery' places, like the trampoline. Also, my son enjoys earning points and prizes on the 'Book Adventure' web site.
  
• Before summer begins, I establish with my eldest that we will do an hour of school work Mon. - Thurs. (If we have a special outing or visitor then we skip it.) If there are any complaints about doing the work at all then I extend the hour to 2 hours. I don't hear too many complaints. We use books, learning games, the computer, etc. and mix up the work to make it interesting in 20 minute segments so that it goes by quickly while she does review.
  
• I enroll my kids in the library summer reading program, we go to the library 3 times a week, we do a puppet show about a book every week, and we write letters to each other talking about anything we want. 
  
• My kids enjoy checking out activity books and doing the crafts listed in the books. We use the book, 'Picture Book Activities: Fun Games for Preschoolers based on 50 Favorite Children's Books' by Trish Kuffner. It helps us choose great books at the library and it has fun activity ideas. 
• I buy lots of new educational materials and bring them out a bit at a time. Having our home summer camp, helps the toddlers keep to their routine but also encourages them to keep learning and exploring how to do new things! We go over letter sounds, numbers, songs, shapes, colors, etc. Its endless learning and lots of fun!
  
• Bribes! Our 9 year old has to read every day for 20 minutes, and do multiplication flash cards for 10 minutes. He then gets 30 minutes of his favorite computer game. We keep up the learning with these wonderful workbooks for Language Arts and Math. He earns a point for each one and gets to choose his reward, gum, smoked oysters, or Tigers Bar. He does everything with a good attitude because that's part of the deal.

It is extremely important to know the difference between a legal consumer firework and a dangerous explosive device. Items such as M-80s, M-100s and blockbusters are not fireworks; they are federally banned explosives. They can cause serious injury or even death. Stay away from anything that isn't clearly labeled with the name of the item, the manufacturer's name and instructions for proper use.

Here are some additional tips to help ensure a safe Fourth of July:

• Fireworks are not toys. Fireworks burn at approximately the same temperature as a household match and can cause burn injuries and ignite clothing if used improperly.
• NEVER give fireworks to young children. Close, adult supervision of all fireworks activities is mandatory. Even sparklers can be unsafe if used improperly.
• Stay away from illegal explosives. Illegal explosive devices continue to cause serious injuries around the Fourth of July holiday. These devices are commonly known as M-80s, M-100s, blockbusters or quarter pounders. These items will not contain the manufacturer's name and are usually totally unlabeled. Don't purchase or use unlabeled fireworks. If you are aware of anyone selling such devices, contact your fire or police department.
• Homemade fireworks are deadly. Never attempt to make your own devices and do not purchase or use any kits that are advertised for making fireworks. Mixing and loading chemical powders is very dangerous and can kill or cause serious injury to you. Leave the making of fireworks to the experts.

• The fire department is usually responsible for the public's safety when a large-scale fireworks display is presented. A trained pyrotechnic operator and crew conduct the actual firing of the display. These professionals know and comply with all state and local regulations.
• The following tips should help make the display more enjoyable to the public, as well as make the display as safe as possible:
• Spectators should obey all ushers or monitors and respect the safety barriers set up to allow the trained operator room to safely do his job. Resist any temptation to get close to the actual firing site. In fact, the best view of the fireworks is from a quarter of a mile or more away.
• Although it rarely happens, it is possible that a firework component might fall to the ground without exploding. The public should be cautioned not to touch these fireworks. If they happen to find any that have not exploded, they should immediately contact the fire department.
• Pets have very sensitive ears and the booms and bangs associated with a fireworks display can be quite uncomfortable -- particularly to dogs. In fact, the noises can actually hurt their ears. Leave pets at home if you are going to a fireworks show.
• Leave the lighting of all fireworks to the trained operator when you attend a public display. Sparklers, fountains and others are not appropriate to use when a large crowd is present. Leave your own fireworks at home -- the display will provide plenty of excitement.