It’s the summer holidays and the kids are off school. The days are long and sunny, but there’s one big question playing on your mind: how are you going to occupy the kids?
The school holidays are a perfect time for children to take up a new hobby or attend different clubs and societies. Although your children deserve a break from school life, there are so many other things that you can fit into the long summer holidays too. Activities and clubs over the summer months will help your kids to learn new skills outside of the traditional classroom which can benefit them later in life.
We’ve made a list of five summer activities that your children can do during the summer holidays. From organised clubs to activities you can do with them at home, there are plenty of ideas to keep everyone happy and engaged through the hotter months.
Summer schools
The school holidays don’t necessarily mean that your child has to take a break from their studies. In fact, the summer holidays are a perfect time for children to gain extra knowledge in specific subject areas, as well as learn other valuable skills such as independence and self-motivation.
Summer schools are one such place where children can study and learn from qualified teachers during the summer break, which can help your child to learn more about university life. Kids can even study in famous, world-leading higher education facilities with summer schools like Oxford Royale Academy. Your child will meet people from all over the world, in addition to industry experts and tutors. These connections can help your child learn more about different cultures and will give them good social skills through meeting so many new people.
Students at summer schools are able to participate in various lectures, guest talks and excursions around the local area. These will all be beneficial for future education and job applications, especially if the institute that your child attends is well-known.
Your child can pick a subject area that they already feel confident in and want to learn more about, or they can choose a subject that they are less sure of and want extra help with. These subjects can vary between standard maths and English classes to more niche subjects such as climate change or business.
Studying over the summer is a good way for your children to gain an advantage over their peers when they return back to school. They may find themselves in a higher set or gaining better grades in upcoming exams.
Sports clubs
Health organisations around the world all state that it is very important for children to be active each day. During the summer holidays, it can be very easy for your child to stay indoors or become glued to their smartphones, which can be detrimental to their health. Children should be active for at least 60 minutes per day, with plenty of aerobic exercise and activities that strengthen their muscles and bones.
A good way for your child to keep active throughout the summer is to be part of a sports club. Along with helping the physical well-being of your child, team sports can also help with your child’s social skills and teamwork. Competitions, whether they are friendly or more serious, can also prove to be a great motivator whilst still letting your child enjoy all the fun of the sport.
Your child could join any number of sports clubs, from team activities such as football and rugby to individual sports like athletics and gymnastics.
There are lots of other fun summer activities for kids that will keep them active, such as a backyard obstacle course or a trip to the swimming pool. It’s best to let your child choose which sport they want to pursue, as this will ensure that they look forward to it and have lots of summer fun with their peers. You can also consider enrolling your child in dance classes, which not only promotes physical activity but also allows them to explore their creativity through movement. Dance offers a unique blend of exercise and artistic expression, making it an engaging summer activity that contributes to your child’s physical and emotional well-being. Locals of Montreal can explore a variety of options, such as dance lessons for kids in Montreal, to find the perfect dance class that suits their child’s interests and schedule. These classes offer a structured and enjoyable way for children to stay active while developing their dancing skills.
Volunteering
As well as having fun, it’s also important that your child feels that they have achieved something over the long summer months. One of the best ways to do this is to volunteer within the local community. It can be incredibly rewarding to be part of a scheme that helps others, whether it be litter-picking in the local park or helping out at a nearby care home.
Volunteering is a good way to gain work experience, especially if your child isn’t at the age where they can get a part-time job. Younger children can begin their volunteering journey with the help of organisations such as the Scouts, Brownies and Girl Guides. You can also help your child to find a volunteering opportunity through the BBC’s Do Something Great campaign. This scheme also helps families to find volunteering roles that they can do together.
Your child will be able to interact with people from different backgrounds whilst volunteering, as well as learn responsibility and new skills. University administration boards and future employers also look more favourably on applicants who have volunteered because it shows they are willing to help their community and are proactive.
Art and crafts
Although we often enjoy sunny days throughout the summer months, there are some days where the weather isn’t on our side. There are lots of indoor activities that you and your children can do whilst you wait for the next hot summer day. Art projects can be an enjoyable activity to keep the kids entertained, which may develop into a lifelong skill and hobby.
There is no limit to the fun ideas that your children could come up with in terms of a craft project. You could give them paper and paints and encourage them to paint a self-portrait, or add a science element to the day and help them to make slime. The children could even invite friends over and collaborate on a project together.
Building a fort out of blankets and chairs is a fun summer activity that can also encourage your children towards problem-solving. Your child might also want to try more intricate crafts such as knitting or jewellery making.
Encouraging your children to explore their artistic side is a great way to stave off their boredom. It can also help them to learn transferable skills such as patience and focus. Hobbies are always a great addition to CVs and applications, as the administration team can see that your child enjoys activities that require practice and creative flare.
Camping
A great way for your children to create summer memories is to spend quality bonding time with family on a camping trip. It’s important that young people learn about the great outdoors, including how to act safely in and around nature. You can also teach your children about the scientific side of plants and constellations to make the trip an academic learning point.
There are camping tips to help make the trip less stressful, although the best way to keep your kids busy over the summer break is to have lots of fun activities for them to do. This could include simple games on the car journey such as memory games or den-building on a woodland trek.
You could keep the kids occupied on a ‘camping trip’ in the garden or a nearby campsite if you don’t think a full-blown wilderness break is a good idea. Any time that they can spare in the fresh air and away from their screens is a sure way to boost their physical and mental wellbeing.
