Do your kids seem to get bored as soon as summer break begins? Many children and teens quickly run out of things to do in the summer and need to keep busy during this time. This is a great time to teach them the responsibility we have in keeping our environments clean. They may know that it isn’t a good idea to litter, but do they know why? Do they understand the value of donating unused items to people who can use them?
Field Trip
Take your kids on a field trip during the summer to any place where they can learn about the earth and realize the beauty of nature. Visit a state park for the day; pack a picnic lunch and explore the trails, watch wildlife and learn about the local vegetation. Visit a natural science museum. Try to choose a place where you can walk, bike or take public transportation.
Local Library
Rather than buying your children new video games, books and magazines to keep them occupied during the summer, take a trip to the local library. As a kid, I loved checking out books and spending my days reading. Then the books are returned and someone else can read them, rather than watch them collect dust on a shelf. Libraries usually offer music and movies for borrowing, as well.
Nature Hike
If you have nature trails nearby, hiking is a great activity for kids. Not only does it help them stay active, but they can see the beauty of nature firsthand. I grew up surrounded by trees, which was an opportunity to explore trails and see what I could find. If you live in the city, look into wildlife parks that are close enough for a day trip.
Gardening
Kids are never too young to learn about gardening. As they grow older, they will be able to help out more and more. When I was pretty young, I grew my own garden as a summer project and entered my vegetables in a competition. Gardening is a great way to teach kids how to support themselves by growing their own food.
Garage Sale
Toys and clothing seem to multiply when there are kids around. Do your kids seem to have too much clutter in their rooms? Help them sort through everything and decide which items they no longer need. Then sell these items in a garage sale. They can learn a lot by helping out at the sale; donate unsold items to a second-hand store or homeless charities.
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