Maximize Summer Fun with This Daily Summer Schedule for Kids
Summer is supposed to be the best time of the year, but moms everywhere are already overwhelmed just thinking of how they’ll entertain their kids 24 hours a day for the next three months. I've found the solution is to set a daily summer schedule for my kids. A little bit of structure helps me stay sane and keeps my kids from boredom. It's a win-win!
I make sure to include these three aspects into our summer schedule: playtime, downtime and learning time. The combination of these three makes sure that my kids are getting to have fun like they want, while still being productive, like I want.
Playtime is an essential part of a fun daily summer schedule
Kids are only kids for so long, so we must let them play! Make sure playtime is the first part of the daily summer schedule for kids.
Depending on where you live you'll want to include indoor and outdoor playtime. Here in Arizona, outdoor playtime can be a bit more difficult during the summer months. However, I make sure that my kids have activities that get them outside because it's so much easier to be active when you're outdoors!
I do like to have a lot of ideas for indoor activities for days where it's just too hot to go outside. These are great go-to activities.
Arts & Crafts
Build a fort
Play with Play-doh (bonus mom points if you and your kids make the play-doh!)
Blow bubbles (a great outdoor activity as well!)
Play board games
Have a treasure hunt
Do a puzzle
Dress up
You don't have to structure the play time at all. Give your kids a chance to entertain themselves. They can choose from this list, or simply just go and play with their toys. The main point is for them to have fun and enjoy their summer vacation.
Include time for learning in your summer schedule
I know when you talk to your kids about spending time learning you're going to get resistance. It's summer, after all. However, teaching children to be lifelong learners is such an important part of parenting.
To get the least amount of resistance, I recommend letting your kids have a say in what they want to learn. Maybe they want to learn a new skill, or memorize a poem. They could teach a younger sibling a new skill, or something that they'll be covering in school next year. If they can’t think of anything, they can always read a book!
You don’t have to focus on having a typical school setting. If your child wants to learn how to cook, allow that to be part of his or her learning time! Perhaps you could take your kids to the zoo and let them learn all about the different animals. You can be as creative (and adventurous) as you want to be.
If your child does have summer homework, this is a great way to make sure they stay on top of it. No one wants to spend the last few days of summer cramming before school starts!
The most important thing is that you set aside specific time to learn. Tell your kids they have to spend an hour doing something scholastic. It may even help if you set aside the same hour each day for learning time. Setting a scheduled time for learning will also help you avoid complaining. If your kids know that from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. it's study time, then they will eventually just do it without complaint!
Schedule downtime into the daily summer schedule for kids
Now that I've covered playing and learning, I want to talk about downtime. All too often, we fill our kids' schedules with activities to keep them busy and out of trouble. While it may be more convenient for us as moms, it's not always best for our kids.
Downtime is essential for kids - and adults for that matter! Studies have shown that having some downtime allows us to process everything we've learned so that we can retain it. Downtime should not be seen as unproductive time; instead, it should be a way for our brains to reboot and recharge.
What exactly does productive downtime look like? It's not staring at a screen all day. It's letting your kids goof off a bit. They should be allowed to do activities that are fun and that they are good at! If they don't have to concentrate too much on the task, they will be able to relax and have fun.
Downtime can be a great time for you to connect with your kids as well. Take that time to just sit and catch up with them. Ask them what's going on in their lives and what they need from you.
Start planning your daily summer schedule for kids now, so that you’re prepared once summer hits! Leave a comment and let me know what your plans are!
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