Children’s festivals. Your town may hold a summer children’s festival that provides children with various arts and crafts, reading opportunities, music, acting and much more. If your town doesn’t support a fun-filled festival for children, create your own neighborhood festival. Assign the neighborhood parents interested in participating to be responsible for a portion (games, food, arts and crafts, theater, etc.) and put on a grand show.
The educational – (quick tip – pick one for each week that your child isn’t in a camp)
Museums. Just about every community either has a few museums or is situated near cities that provide these great facilities. Museums are wonderful for kids and adults alike – they allow children to learn more about art, history and the likes while stimulating great conversation at the dinner table. Some museums are free, while others may have a small fee. Check their time and fee schedule on their Web site or give them a call.
Libraries. Visit your local library and have the whole family check out a few books each week. A great idea is to have an educational theme each week (birds, trees, the human body, etc.) and have your children find interesting books on each subject. Hold discussions regarding these themes – who knows, you may just learn something new!
State parks. Take advantage of local state parks or take a few hours drive to one near you. Many state parks tie in the history of the state, making it a great way to learn about where you live. Parents, read up on the state park before you go, just in case there are a few hard hitting questions from your kids – or, once you get back home, research it together.
Plant an herb or vegetable garden. Either till up a portion of your yard and prepare it for a small garden, or grab several large pots or containers to plant an herb or vegetable garden. Have the kids help in each step of the process. Make sure they understand what it takes for a garden to grow, and let them go. Have them take pictures of the plants every few days so they can record the growth process. The best part is they get to eat all of their hard work!