When you were a child, you used to look forward to the summer vacation. School was out for summer, and you could spend all day biking around with friends, playing in the park, or going on adventures as long as you were home before sunset.
But, now you’re a parent, the summer vacation doesn’t have the same magic as it once did. Rather than forget about all the worries of the world, you have to balance childcare with work, which can be much more difficult than it is during the school year.
Summer activities are a fantastic way for parents to do themselves and their kids a favor, but why are they so good? Here are ten reasons to consider to make sure you get ready for something fun this summer.
The Kids Get Outside
It’s well-understood by now that spending time in nature is great for mental and physical well-being no matter how old you are. If you feel your kids spend far too much time glued to the TV or computer (something people have been saying since you were a kid) summer activities give them a chance to get outside and experience the wonders of the world.
The best summer activities take advantage of the warmer weather. It could be a hike, or simply taking the kids to the local park and letting them run around, play some sports or hang around in the jungle gym. It doesn’t matter as long as they’re outside.
The Kids Learn New Skills
Besides hanging around the neighborhood, summer activities also give kids the chance to learn essential new skills they can carry with them throughout their lives. Sleepaway camps, including a gymnastics camp or a camping trip with their local scout group or friends, will introduce them to activities and options that they might adore.
Kids can be stubborn, of course, and this also means they are resistant to change, yet they will quickly become bored if they are sitting at home all day, no matter what they tell you. Learning new skills is fun, and even if they don’t seem into it at first, this attitude will soon change.
The Kids Meet New People
Your kids already have plenty of friends, but they can always have more friends, especially if they visit a camp or activity that spreads further than your town or neighborhood. Meeting new people and engaging in their experiences is an excellent way to learn more about the world and develop compassion, which is vital for helping kids mature.
These opportunities also boost your kids’ confidence and make them more comfortable speaking to new people. Wholesome kids can make friends with anybody, others are not as outgoing. An environment where they need to make friends can change this.
The Kids Can Get Healthy
Running around all day and doing activities they’d otherwise never try is not just good for getting kids out of the house, it can inspire them to do more exercise and, therefore, get healthy. They will be having so much fun that they won’t even realize they are exercising, either.
Most camps will serve healthy food (as well as some treats and snacks) which could help your kids adapt their diet if they are fussy or if you know you will be too busy to be at home to make them a healthy meal every night.
The Kids Get Exhausted
A lot of kids can be too energetic during the summer, especially as they usually sleep in late, or enjoy a few too many sugary sweets. However, activities like biking, walking, or playing on an inflatable water park at the lake will tire them out, which will make the bedtime routine much more manageable for parents.
This doesn’t mean your kids will be sluggish the next day, though. They should wake up with plenty of energy to do another activity, which is ideal for keeping them busy and ensuring they stay out of trouble.
The Kids Gain Independence
All parents should be encouraging independence in their kids, but this can be difficult sometimes. By leaving them to their own devices at home or on summer camps, your kids can learn how to look after themselves. They might learn how to cook, clean up after themselves, or make their bed, which will help you during school time.
This independence is vital for your kids to become more responsible. They might show some resistance at first, especially if they struggle with some aspects. You can trust that they will be happy to make their own meals, fix torn t-shirts or jeans, and do chores when you ask them for the first time, rather than having you nag them.
The House Doesn’t Feel So Cramped
As much as you love your kids, they can get in the way during the summer vacation. This is especially obvious now that many parents work from home, and it can be tricky to parent and work simultaneously.
This is the beauty of summer activities, especially those that get the kids away for a week or more. The house won’t feel so cramped, allowing you to work without interruptions, and you can also get some much-needed cleaning done ready for their return.
The Parents Get a Break
Many parenting demands can wear you down. If it isn’t making breakfast, lunch, and dinner, it’s making sure they are not getting into trouble around the house. Much like making the house feel less cramped, summer activities can benefit the parents by giving them a break.
Of course, you don’t want too much of a break from your kids, but a week of peace and quiet gives you and your partner the chance to spend some quality time together. Depending on how old our kids are, and how many you have, this crucial time could be few and far between, so it’s good to catch up with one another and rekindle the magic.
The Parents Get Out of the House
Even if you don’t do your kids up for sleepaway camps, there are plenty of family activities you can select that will get you out of the house, too. Just like your kids, you don’t want to spend the entire summer cooped up by your desk or on the sofa, so this is the most optimal opportunity to get out and explore the surroundings.
A family vacation is a good way to unwind, but if you don’t have the budget or time, a day out at the local hiking trail, or trying something you’ve never done before like rafting or kayaking, will make you feel much better.
The Parents Can Make New Friends
It can be difficult to make friends when you’re an adult and a parent. Even your oldest friends aren’t as available as they once were, as they have their lives and responsibilities to take care of.
Summer activities give adults the chance to socialize with other parents and make new friends wherever they go. You could meet a family residing at the cabin next to yours, or you might meet someone new when picking your kids up from camp. It’s always good to meet new people, and even if this isn’t a lasting friendship, it can make you feel better.
Summer Fun
From sleepaway camps to days out exploring the wilderness or even a vacation somewhere you’ve always wanted to visit, there are so many things to do over the summer that neither you nor your kids should run out of options. After a year of hard work for everyone, it feels good to unwind, even if you only get a week here or there. After all, you deserve it; your kids deserve it. So think about what you could do and how it will benefit everyone in the house.