Spring break wraps up today. Tomorrow it’s back to school; much to my second grader’s chagrin.
After nearly two weeks of vacation all I can say is… I’m not prepared for June.
Spring break gave us a taste of summer and now I know why area day camps filled up in February.
As in the second month of 2012, nearly a half-year away from the start of summer vacation.
Parents around here don’t fool around when it comes to getting rid of their kids when school is out. I mean immersing their children in valuable summer enrichment programs designed to entertain and educate.
If you live in a city where summer camps and other programs for kids were filled to capacity before you even had a chance to take down your Christmas tree, consider creating your own fun in the sun with these educational adventures designed to prevent seasonal brain drain:
Create bird or other wildlife feeders, set them up in your yard, and then observe the types of animals that come over for lunch.
Exercise your children’s artistic muscles by hanging old bed sheets from large trees or on the side of the garage. Next, let your kids paint the sheets with a variety of brushes and sponges.
Gather a rubber ball and a bunch of empty two-liter soda or water bottles to create a bowling alley in the driveway. The game will enhance your child’s math and coordination skills, as well as teach him how to be a good sport when he loses.
Use colorful sidewalk chalk to work on penmanship and spelling.
Take a stroll around the neighborhood or hike the trail system at a local park to learn more about nature. Your kids can collect rocks, sticks, and leaves, and then sort them into categories when you get home.
Visit a local beach and tour the tide pools. Bring along a camera and have your kids take photos of the diverse sea life they observe at low tide, and then have them research their finds when you return home.
What are you planning to do with your children this summer?
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