Summer is in full swing, which means that you’re probably trying to fill your days with fun activities for the entire family. Although you might have already signed your child up for some excellent summer programs in your area, there will undoubtedly still be a lot of free time left in your schedule to fill. Rather than allow everyone to sit around the house and get bored for days on end, why not find a way to add these ideas into your itinerary? Not only will they help preschool children stay physically active throughout the season, but they’ll also stimulate their creativity and keep them learning in new ways to prevent summer learning loss. Here are just five popular and enjoyable things in which your family can partake before summer comes to a close.
- Interact with animals: Although your child might see their fair share of wildlife as part of their summer camp activities, there’s nothing quite so captivating for kids as to come face to face with some of their favorite creatures. Whether you feed the ducks at the park, volunteer as a family at your local animal shelter, or take a trip to your city’s zoo, there’s plenty your child can learn from the animal kingdom. Not only will they learn to respect and care for all animals, but they’ll learn about the eco-system and about lots of different species through these experiences. The earlier their interest can be piqued in science, nature, and biology, the more excited they’ll be about these subjects once it’s time to start school.
- Bring a picnic to the park: You’ll definitely want to take advantage of the beautiful weather and enjoy eating outdoors this summer. Planning a picnic can be an excellent way to get your children interested in health and nutrition, as well as exploration of the world around them. Make sure to ask your little ones for their input in what you should bring in the basket and stress the importance of leaving nature better than how you found it. Bring along a few outdoor games or coordinate your picnic with an outdoor concert or theatre performance to make the experience truly special and memorable.
- Camp out in the backyard: The camping experience is part of many summer programs, but your toddler won’t be ready for sleep-away camp for another few years. If you’ve never been to a campground as a family, starting in your backyard can serve as an excellent introduction. You and your children can get the supplies you’ll need, pitch the tent, and camp out under the stars without having to worry about being far away from home. Be sure to build a campfire to make s’mores and sing songs to complete the evening. Learning basic survival skills or how to identify different plants and birds can serve your child well later in life, too.
- Head to the beach or pool: Since swimming is the fourth most popular sports activity in the United States, it’s understandably included in many summer programs. If you live in close proximity to a public pool or beach, you won’t want to end the summer without taking a family trip and going for a dip. Be sure to keep a close eye on your children, use flotation devices, and invest in swimming lessons to ensure everyone’s safety. Not only will this trip help keep your kids cool, but it’ll serve as the basis for beloved summer memories for years to come.
- Have a rainy day story hour: Of course, not every day can be hot and sunny. Although spending time inside might not be ideal, even summer programs have a plan B for when the weather turns stormy. Having an indoor story hour on a rainy day can help pass the time, help you bond with your children, and even prepare them for their transition to a quality preschool program. Take a weekly or bi-weekly trip to your local library to pick out some new books. Make sure to choose some that will introduce the concept of preschool in an approachable way so your child will feel prepared when summer’s over.
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