Even though many schools have already started back up, whether in person or virtually, there are still, hopefully, a few more weeks left of warm, summer weather. If you haven’t already, spend some time this weekend doing some fun activities with your kiddos to end summer the right way.
At Growing Kids Learning Centers, we know how hectic life can get and how special family time is. We encourage you to spend some time with your children to celebrate summer and enjoy some family time. Our schools are open and we are taking certain safety measures to help keep your kiddos healthy during this time. To learn more, be sure to check out our COVID safety measures and contact us with any questions you may have. Read on for some fun activity ideas to end summer!
Play With Water
Kids love playing with water and there is only so much time left in the year to do so. Whether you have a water balloon fight, run through the sprinklers, or take a day trip to Lake Michigan, your child will love one last day of water-filled fun before the weather gets too chilly. A day trip to Lake Michigan can be a fun way to spend a day with the family. You can pack a picnic, bring some toys and games to play if they get tired of swimming, and enjoy a day outside with your little ones. Before the weather starts dropping, ask your children what fun water activity they want to do, and make it happen!
Bike For a Treat
Riding your bikes to get ice cream is a great way to spend a beautiful, warm day. Riding bikes and eating ice cream are two things you will likely not be doing soon, so better add those to the list of activities to do before summer ends! While your children may not enjoy riding their bikes for too long, they will certainly enjoy the sweet treat at the end of the ride. Find a nearby ice cream shop to bike to and enjoy a little treat before biking home. This will be a full day activity that can become a fun family tradition. If you don’t have an ice cream shop nearby, drive to one and walk around the town while you eat it. Or bring your bikes with and find a nearby bike path or park to ride around. Just remember to bring your masks!
Have a Picnic
Picnics may seem like a lot of work, but kiddos really love the idea of eating outside on the ground. There is so much simple joy in a picnic and it can be a great way to bond as a family. Pack a lunch, picnic blanket, some outdoor games and toys, and head to a park or a field. Don’t rush it, spend a few hours enjoying the sun, grass, and time with the family. This is also a great time for you to disconnect and enjoy the simple pleasures of life. Leave your phone in the car or mute your notifications so you aren’t tempted to check your work email. Trust us, your kids will be grateful for your full attention.
Play Outside
Another simple joy that children love is playing outside. This could include a variety of different activities. From kicking a soccer ball back and forth to playing pretend in the backyard to playing a game of tag, there are so many activities that you can do with your kiddos. If your children can decide on one thing to play, do it all! Let each child pick one thing to play and spend an hour or so playing each, or save something for the next day. Your kids will love it when you join in and play with them. Playing outside is a simple way to stay entertained, enjoy the great outdoors, and spend the last few weeks of warm weather.
Watch the Stars
While this may break their bedtime schedule for a day, it will be worth it. Drive out to a more secluded area and enjoy the sight of the stars for a while. Watching the stars can stimulate your child’s imagination and boost their creativity. Plus, it is a great way to help them appreciate nature and the world around them. Bring some blankets, snacks, and a telescope if you have one, and head out into the dark night to enjoy the sparkling stars. If you make this a tradition, it will become a memory that your child will love and cherish for the rest of their lives. To keep them even more interested, print out some fun star facts or download a night sky app that shows you constellations, and teach them something fun about space and the night sky.
There are so many fun activities that you and your kiddos can try that will help your end summer the right way. Be sure to do at least one of these activities before the weather gets too cold. But we encourage you to do them all. We know your children will love them, but you may even gain something for these activities as well!
If you are looking for a great early childhood learning center, be sure to check out Growing Kids Learning Centers. We have locations in South Bend, Elkhart, Valparaiso, Goshen, Chesterton, Plymouth, and Warsaw! Contact us today with any questions and enjoy the rest of summer with your kiddos!
