Parents, I know you’re nervous. Its’s that time of the year again when school is out, temperatures are rising and kids are roaming around the house, most times restless, looking for things to occupy their lengthy days ahead. It won’t be long before they start to whine. So turn that possible frown upside down and make those warm summer days more fun than ever with these indoor/outdoor activities. They will love you even more for it!
1. Make frozen popsicles to help cool them down. Take a trip to the local market. Let them practise their math skills without even knowing it, by allowing them to purchase their favourite fruits. These local fruits can be juiced and blended, poured into ice trays or popsicle makers, placed in the freezer, and enjoyed once frozen. Not only will they be cool, but they will enjoy the final product and feel a sense of accomplishment!
2. Go sightseeing! There typically are many local sites that can be viewed based on interest. Visit Holywell and camp out after having walked along one of their many nature trails filled with flora and fauna. Visit Green Grotto caves so they can learn more about rock formations as well as historical facts. There are many places that are local, accessible, fun and educational. Visit many over the summer break!
3. Play board games. Teach them how to play Ludo or chess – the good ole’ classics that your parents taught you too. Pass it down to them! And without them realising, board games help to build analytical skills as well as good sportsmanship.
4. Have a water party! Cool off with water games, such as running through the sprinkler or setting up your plastic pool. Don’t forget to throw coloured beads in there and see who can fill up their cup with most of the red, yellow, orange or purple beads. You can also fill some balloons and play water war. Also, you can fill buckets of water, hold them and have a race. The winner is the one who hasn’t lost the most water due to spilling!
5. Outdoor games – Get them away from the gadgets and show them what outdoor summer games were like for you as a kid. Get a box of elastic bands and show them how to make a Chinese jump rope and then show them how to use it, play sighting, charades, Dandy Shandy, lime and spoon race, limbo, hopscotch and cricket. You can also paint the right number of circles on the lawn for a game of Twister. Invite neighbourhood kids as well, cousins or even close friends from school. You’ll be the coolest parents around!
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