Summer is here and the days are filled with swimming lessons, reading programs, and at least three different sessions of Vacation Bible School, but when keeping the kids busy this summer, don’t forget to build in some down time.
Children need to learn how to entertain themselves, to have time to use their imaginations, develop creativity and pretend. Giving your children the gift of time this summer may allow them to find a new interest or skill. Here are some inexpensive tools with which to equip your children. Then let go, and watch what happens.
1. A large cardboard box (or more than one) can be a car, castle, spaceship, tunnel… the options are endless. Kids can use markers or crayons to decorate their creations.
2. Sidewalk chalk means amazing art. Teach your child how to play hopscotch, and it all washes away with a blast of the hose.
3. Make a fort with couch cushions (I can hear you saying ugh! Not in the living room!), or set up a card table in their bedroom or on the back porch, and throw a sheet over it. Let the kids come up with some ideas.
4. Let them play in the lawn sprinklers. They don’t need a fancy expensive water toy. They need to get wet. Add a small tub of water and plastic pitchers and glasses for a pretend lemonade stand or tea party. They won’t even realize they are learning to pour without spilling.
5. Make a tub of bubble solution (I like Dawn dish detergent best), and see what the kids can come up with to make bubbles. The plastic off of a six-pack of soda, a clean fly swatter, funnel or a string running through two straws to form a loop with handles can all be used.
6. An old tube sock and some markers can create a puppet.
7. Clean out a junk drawer, and let your child create a sculpture using these things and some play dough.
8. Tubular pasta can be colored and strung on a piece of string or yarn to make a necklace.
9. Kids can have a race blowing pompoms across the floor using straws, or make a game of blowing them across the table and not letting them be blown off.
10. Find some river rocks, and let the children paint them. They can add eyes, ears, etc. to make their own pet rock.
The most important thing is the process of discovery, creating and inventing. If they make a mess, they should help clean it up. That can be a learning opportunity, as well. Have fun and make great memories!
Hope you’re having a great summer.
Trinity Preschool and Kindergarten has been serving the children of the East Valley for more than 30 years. Classes are available for children 2 1/2 years old through kindergarten age.
Classes are filling. Don’t let your child be left out. Enroll today! Call (480) 834-9120.