Summertime is almost here, which for kids means no school! It’s a time for barbecues, swimming, and camping trips.
If you’re looking for activities to keep the little ones entertained (and educated) over the summer break, look no further. We’ve compiled a list of activities that are both enriching and fun for kids of all ages. from making your own natural animal house to fun ball games, there’s something on this list for everyone.
7 Educational and Enjoyable Activities For the Summer
These activities will ensure your kids have fun while learning new skills and gaining valuable life experience:
Cook Up Some Favourites
The summer holidays are a great time for kids to get back into the kitchen and cook up some of their favourite dishes.
There are plenty of simple recipes that kids can follow to make delicious food. For example, they could try their hand at making pizzas, cookies, salads, burgers, pasta, or even cakes and desserts.
Not only will cooking give them a chance to be creative, but it will also teach them essential life skills such as following instructions and cleaning up.
With a little help from an adult, cooking can be a safe and enjoyable activity for kids of all ages.
So why not encourage your kids to get involved in the kitchen this summer? It could be the start of a lifelong passion for cooking!
A word of caution here. With so many devices and appliances in our homes these days, it’s important to make sure that we’re taking the proper precautions to prevent any accidents.
Whether your kids are cooking or enjoying other activities at home, here are some electrical safety tips for parents to keep in mind:
- – Teach your children about electricity and how it works.
- – Explain the importance of never touching or playing with plugs, sockets, or cords.
- – Make sure all electrical appliances and cords are out of reach of children.
- – Inspect electrical appliances and cords regularly for any damage, fraying or loose connections. If you see any damage, throw the appliance away or have it repaired by a qualified professional before using it again.
- – Keep flammable materials like curtains, newspapers, and clothing away from heaters, radiators, and other sources of heat.
DIY Indoor Games
There are plenty of easy and inexpensive games you can make at home with just a few materials. For example, try making a simple board game using an old cereal box and some cardboard pieces. Or, turn an empty egg carton into a dice shaker for some math-based fun.
If you want to get a little more creative, try making a life-size version of classic board games like Snakes and Ladders or Twister. This is sure to get the whole family involved and laughing together.
What’s more, these games foster your kids’ emotional and social development.
Get Creative With Ball Games
How about ball games with a fun twist? This activity needs minimal equipment and brings maximum joy. Here are some ideas:
– Balloon Tennis: In this game, two players hit a balloon back and forth using paddles made from paper plates. The object is to keep the balloon in the air for as long as possible.
– Plastic Cup Bowling: This is a bowling game played with plastic cups instead of balls and pins. Set up the cups in a triangular formation at one end of the room, and take turns trying to knock them all down with a small ball or beanbag.
– Balloon Pop: Hang balloons from the ceiling or doorframes at different heights, and see who can pop the most in a minute using only their hands.
– Hot Potato: A classic game that can be played with any type of ball. Sit in a circle and pass the ball around while music plays; when the music stops, whoever is holding the ball is out. Keep going until there’s only one player left.
Learning With Puzzles
Solving fun educational puzzles together is a great way to spend time together while also helping them develop problem-solving skills.
There are a variety of different puzzles you can try, depending on your child’s age and interests. You can find word puzzles, math puzzles, and even science puzzles.
Make A Cute Animal House
One great activity that kids are sure to love is making an animal house. This activity will not only teach them about different animals and their habitats, but it will also be a lot of fun for them too!
To make an animal house, you’ll first need to gather some materials. For the base of the house, you can use any type of cardboard box or container. Then, you’ll need some construction paper, scissors, glue, and markers.
Once you have all of your materials gathered, start by having your child decorate the outside of the box however they like. They can use construction paper to create doors and windows, or they can simply draw them on with markers.
Once the outside of the box is decorated, it’s time to start working on the inside. This is where your child can really let their imagination run wild! They can create different rooms for different animals, or they can even make one big open space for all of the animals to live together. Be sure to help them cut out any construction paper pieces that they need and assist with gluing everything into place.
When the inside of the animal house is complete, your child can start adding their animal friends! They can use toy animals, stuffed animals, or even pictures cut out from magazines.
Make a Collage
This activity can be done both indoors and outdoors, so it’s perfect for days when the weather isn’t cooperating.
All you need is some construction paper, scissors, glue, and any other materials you want to use (e.g., beads, buttons, feathers). Let your child’s imagination run wild as they cut out shapes and glue them down to create their own work of art.
Learn Gardening
Gardening is a great activity for kids to enjoy over the summer holidays! Here are some tips on how to help your kids get started:
1. Choose the right plants. When selecting plants for your garden, be sure to choose ones that are appropriate for your climate and soil type.
2. Prep the soil. Once you have selected your plants, it is time to prep the soil. Be sure to loosen up the soil and remove any rocks or debris that could impede plant growth. You can also make your own organic fertilizer to provide nutrients for your plants.
3. Plant your seeds or saplings. Make sure to plant them at the correct depth and spacing, according to the instructions on the seed packet or plant tag.
4. Water regularly and fertilize if needed. Be sure to water your garden regularly, especially during hot weather periods. If you see that your plants are looking unhealthy, they may need additional fertilizer.
Have a Memorable Summer!
We hope that our list of activities has given you some inspiration for ways to keep your kids (and the entire family) entertained and engaged over the break. From visiting the zoo or going on a nature walk, to exploring different cultures, there are endless possibilities for enriching and educational summertime fun.
What are your favourite summer activities? Let us know in the comments below!
