Every year around this time, I read Facebook posts of parents looking for camps to send their kids to for the summer. Just yesterday I read one from a parent who said she was looking for something “fun, exciting, and educational,” but she wasn’t “trying to pay rent prices.” I sure hope she sees this post, because everything I have listed below could be fun, exciting, and educational. It wouldn’t cost you one dime, but it will cost you some time. I know we get busy, and time seems more valuable than that dime, but why not give these a shot this summer instead of spending all your money on a camp. (No offense camps… I love ya’ll. Just thinking of all my parents who might need a free option.) 🙂
- Visit a local library. Find the best children’s book you can. Read it out loud and invite your kids and the kids around you to help act it out as you read. I am sure the librarians would LOVE it!
- Take a walk through the mall, down main street, or through Target, and together with your kids, create fictitious stories about the people you pass. Pretend they are pirates, royalty, or your favorite cartoon characters. Make sure to be nice. Remember that golden rule!
- While at the grocery store, pretend that the food is really alive and ask your kids these questions. What are they secretly talking about? What do they after the store closes? Which food is in charge? What do they do for fun?
- Visit the woods near your house and create your own outdoor game using materials from nature. Be sure not to damage anything, but rocks and twigs from the ground can bring out the most creative ideas. I have always said that a good teacher could teach anything using a rock and a twig!
- Stop by a nursing home for a history lesson. There are so many amazing people who are right down the street with incredible stories from the past. Your kid would learn so much and it would surely make someone’s day that you stopped by for a visit.
- Out by a pool? Gather items from around the house and learn about buoyancy. I never will forget the time my mom showed me that a watermelon would float!
- Driving down the road? Write a list of words you can make from the letters on the license plates you pass. Keep a journal in the car and add to the list every time you go. Even if the trip is short, it can add a lot of fun to the ride.
- If you don’t recycle, start a recycling bin. Your trash can really send a creative brain into overload. Ask your kids to build something at the end of the week with all that’s collected.
- With a phone or tablet, ask your kids to take pics of everything that interests them in one day. The next day, have them write down their memories of those things and have a discussion about them.
- Know what a Rube Goldberg Machine is? If not, click here then make your own.
- Watch this video with your kids about a little guy who created a cardboard arcade. Make your own. Grocery stores have tons of old boxes. Film it. Post it to Youtube. Become a star!!
- As a family, make get well cards and take them to strangers at the hospital. Who doesn’t like a thoughtful card?
- One morning, collect sticks from the backyard. Paint them all kinds of wacky. Build something with them. Share the pics to Facebook and ask your friends to name the artwork
- Go on a Pareidolia hunt. Read here about what that is and you will start to see them everywhere!!! https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pareidolia
- Play dress up. It doesn’t need to be fancy costumes. Use your imagination and have fun!
Personally, I do not have kids, but I do have 3 nieces. I can hardly wait to get them and start through this list. I would LOVE to see what ya’ll do. If you take any pics of you and the kids doing any of the things above, tag me in them on social media Twitter: @mrdearybury1 Instagram: mrdearybury Facebookwww.facebook.com/mrdearybury
Happy Summer!
