School’s out for the summer and that means spending more quality time with your kids.
But if the end of school also means hearing “Mom/Dad, I’m bored!” more often than not, here are some fun and simple activities to do in the comfort of your home.
These activities require some setup but not a ton of supervision. So, if summer Fridays or working remotely are a part of your summer schedule, these two activities are a great way to keep the kids busy and safe while you work outside in the fresh air to keep an eye on them.
Bring the Beach Home
A trip to the beach makes for wonderful memories and priceless time spent with your family.
But if a beach trip isn’t in the budget this year or you live too far from the coast, you can bring the beach to your own backyard!
If you’ve ever watched your child effortlessly wile away an afternoon digging in the sand at the water’s edge, then you know how much they love environments where they can tinker, explore, create, and destroy.
Water and sand make a great afternoon. Just don’t forget the sunscreen!
Pop-Up Playground
While you may not be able to envision the play opportunities presented by, say, a cardboard box, paper towel roll, or stack of newspapers, children will inevitably turn scrap materials into their own magical kingdoms.
Collect scrap materials for a pop-up playground – you can even have your kids help pick the materials.
The best part? It doesn’t have to cost a dime.
True to its name, a pop-up playground can pop up anywhere – a back yard, front yard, garage, or sidewalk.
Creating opportunities for your kids to play outside is always nice, but if the weather or your work schedule has you stuck inside, this makeshift playground can easily be moved indoors.
Try out these ideas and let us know what your kids liked best! What did a cardboard box become in your child’s eyes? What other activities do you do with your kids in the summer?
Jennifer Flannery, Director, Johnson & Johnson World Headquarters Child Development Center
Jennifer Flannery has been with Bright Horizons for over 10 years. She has grown with the company both personally and professionally, beginning as a Kindergarten Teacher and now the center Director. Her and her husband have 3 wonderful children who have all grown up in the WHQ center and are who they are because of the experiences and love they received from their dedicated teachers.