School’s out for what quite might be the weirdest summer in recent history. While remote learning proved challenging at times in our household during the months of March, April, and May, it at least gave our girls structure and routine. With summer camps canceled and many destinations closed, you may be scratching your heads for what your kids will do, too.
These simple and affordable summer activity ideas will help your kids to stay busy, healthy, and actually having fun. Sure, it will be unique, but that doesn’t mean it has to be boring.
Before You Go Anywhere or Do Anything
- Know the safety requirements. Research is key when you take a day trip or even head to mundane places. Are masks required? Will you need to avoid certain areas? Are there different hours? What’s the status of the restrooms?
- Walk your kids through what will happen. After you’ve resourced yourself, have a conversation with your kids about what will happen before it happens. Even if you’re simply visiting neighbors, you’ll want to provide a clear picture of what will and won’t happen – especially with younger children. This is incredibly helpful when it comes to trips to the doctor and the dentist, too. Kids are paying attention to the news. Ease fears and anxiety before you take off from home.
- Put together a Corona kit for the car. Hand sanitizer, extra masks, disinfectant wipes (if you can find them) – all might come in handy. Toss a few in a bag to leave in the car on the regular. You may also want to have another bag with individually packaged snacks and drinks to refuel on the go.
The Local Library
Our local library has always been an integral part of summer vacation. And nothing’s going to change that this summer – even if we’re not going inside. It’s time to see what your library has been up to in their months off. Ours (Greenwood Public Library and Johnson County Public Library) have already launched Summer Reading programs. They also are offering online storytimes, teen gaming tournaments, trivia night, and so much more. I’m also super excited about curbside pick up and take it and make it kits at GPL. JCPL libraries are even offering “Story Walks” where you and your family can take a walk and read a book at the same time in select parks. Hit the library’s website STAT to find out about special experiences and all of the regular FREE online content you can access whether there’s a pandemic or not.
Virtual Sports Training
Kids have so much energy and keeping everyone cooped up all summer long won’t be good for anyone in your family. Help your kids set a physical activity goal for the summer. Whether it’s simply playing outside for 20 minutes everyday (which usually turns into a longer time period for our kids if I can just get them out the door) or it’s logging a specific number of miles on foot or their bike, help them narrow in on a target and track their progress.
A few of my favorite resources for this include:
- Local coaches and gym teachers: Many at our middle school and high school are offering challenges. Reach out and send an email to ask if your school has any opportunities.
- Virtual Running Club: This website offers a number of races you can run from anywhere and still get great swag and medals.
- NFL Play 60: A FREE app that gets football fans excited about being on the move.
- Garmin Vivofit Jr. This technology isn’t free, but it’s a high end activity tracker that our youngest daughter LOVED as she began running. It comes with an app where kids earn games and unlock special features the more they move!
- Happy Camper Live: This website has a number of sports programs you can pay for, but always free daily activities too that range from learning new tap dance steps to dribbling drills, learning how to do a cartwheel and more.
- Your local parks department: Like the library, your local parks department might have some special offerings to help keep everyone moving while distancing. Hit their website or social media channels for more ideas.
- Hire a teen: Over the years, local teens have coached my kids, taught them musical instruments, and even dance lessons. While it’s a bit complicated to do these things from a distance, we’ve found ways to both employ a young person in our community and gain new skills at the same time.
Virtual and Distanced Music Experiences
Have a kid who loves to play and sing? There’s no need for their tune to be the blues. Begin by checking with local band and choir directors for online lesson opportunities. Some of our favorite teachers have been sending end of the year messages with ideas for voice, piano, and instrument lessons. Locally, our daughter’s theater group – Creative Grounds Fine Arts Academy – has already put together a virtual musical. They also have plans for socially distanced and outdoor experiences later in the summer. Again, you can also hire a talented teen to teach lessons in the driveway or via FaceTime, too. But all of the above requires being proactive.
I really wish that the Coronavirus would disappear into thin air. However, that’s unlikely. The name of the game this summer will be creativity and flexibility for our family. From local churches to museums and community centers, camp will look different this year. But the people who have always loved your kids are putting plans into action to help them have a summer they’re likely to never forget. Be on the lookout for both free and paid opportunities for kids of all ages this summer.
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