Every year, the vacations are one of the most dreaded times for parents. The main concern during this period is how to keep the children occupied But don’t panic! We’ve got a few solutions for you this summer
Every year, the vacations are one of the most dreaded times for parents. The main concern during this period is: how to keep the kids occupied? But don’t panic! We’ve got a few solutions for you this summer
A variety of games
Why do we talk about a variety of games? Quite simply because children tend to tire of a single toy. They’ll spend 30 minutes to 1 hour at the most, and then start to get bored. On the other hand, even if they’re on vacation, you need to keep their brains active. There’s no better way to do this than to defer activities. Here are a few ideas that might help.
Puzzles
Jigsaw puzzles call for reflection and calm. They help to develop your child ‘s intelligence while having fun at the same time. Depending on the difficulty of the puzzle, the toy can keep your child busy for anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours.
This activity is suitable for all ages, from infancy (18 months) to adolescence and even adulthood. Puzzles can be played alone or with others. So you can participate in your spare time and spend some quality time with your little one.
Depending on your child‘s age, choose the right number of pieces:
- 2 to 6 pieces for younger children
- 20 to 30 pieces for over 3s
- Over 40 pieces for older children
Building sets
There are many different types of construction toys on the market today, from the simplest to the most sophisticated. Many children are fascinated by these toys, and some even collect them. For the youngest, the aim is to develop fine motor skills with wooden building blocks, for example.
For children over 6, this activity is a real challenge. With the R2D2 Robot to build with Lego-style blocks, your child will be happy to assemble his own Star Wars robot. With 2314 pieces in the box, it’ll keep him busy for a few days. Don’t hesitate to give him a hand if you need it, or just to have fun with him.
Puzzles
Puzzles are generally portable children’s games that your little one can take with him wherever he goes. This will keep him busy, for example, when he’s waiting for you at work. What’s more, these toys will help you keep your little one away from phone or tablet screens.
The Cube Maze is an example of a puzzle that your little one will love. The aim is to move a small ball until it reaches the opposite side of the cube.
Board games and personal development
Board games and personal development games are a classic during the summer vacations. A game of Monopoly can last several hours and is sure to keep your children busy for a long time. They won’t even think about their snack.
If you’ve got a little one who’s not yet old enough to play, we recommend a Montessori-school card and cube game for kids. It’s a fun way for them to learn about different facial expressions.
Outdoor activities
Children are veritable batteries of electricity, often impossible to contain. During the vacations, the atmosphere at home is hectic. To enjoy a bit of peace and quiet, it’s sometimes a good idea to send them outside. But what activities should you suggest?
Visit an exhibition
Suggesting that your children visit a free exhibition is unlikely to get them excited at first. For them, this type of activity is synonymous with boredom. To pique their interest, opt for themes that might interest them, such as comics, films, video games or animals. Someart galleries also offer an immersive, sensory experience specially designed for little ones. During these activities, they’ll enjoy a fun learning experience.
Visiting a museum
A museum is not usually a place that children particularly enjoy. Discovering old prehistoric or artistic objects could bore them. However, there are some establishments that offer activities specially designed for little ones. For example, they can play Indiana Jones and dig up dinosaur bones. These giant monsters have a way of impressing children of all ages.
A visit to an art museum may also be of interest. Typically, there are workshops where children learn to paint, draw or sculpt. All activities that will pique their curiosity and perhaps develop a new passion.
Visit a park
You’ll certainly have no trouble luring your child to the park. Little ones love open spaces where they can play to their heart’s content while discovering new things. We’re talking about both nature parks and amusement parks. You can have a wonderful day out with the whole family.
An escape game
The escape game is one of today’s most popular activities. It’s a game in which the aim is to find a way out of a room in the allotted time. Of course, this activity requires a certain intellectual level. So it’s best reserved for kids over 10 and teenagers looking for a thrill.
Watch a show
During the summer vac ations, shows are everywhere. These can keep your children interested and occupied while you go about your daily business. Of course, you’ll need to find a show that appeals to them. Find out about their favorite artist’s program, for example. Fairs and funfairs are also an excellent alternative. You can also offer your little ones cinema tickets to get them out of the house for a while.
Gardening and tidying up
You won’t always be able to take your children outside. In such cases, and if they’re a little bored with their games, you can offer them ideas for activities to do at home. How about a little spring cleaning, for example? Take your little ones to the attic or cellar. Get several boxes and ask them to sort out what to keep and what to throw away. Children often like to rummage. They won’t be put off by this task.
If you find furniture to repair or transform while you’re cleaning, it’s the perfect opportunity to introduce your child to DIY. Teach them how to hold a hammer, drive a nail or screw a screw, all of which are within their reach.
That said, gardening is also an excellent child/parent activity. It builds strong bonds between the two parties. What’s more, you can teach your little ones new values. Here are a few things you can do in the garden:
- Pull weeds
- Mow the lawn
- Pick flowers
- Create a vegetable garden
- Rake up dead leaves
If you have a large yard and a beautiful tree on your property, why not build a tree house with your children? It’ll give them a place to play outdoors. What’s more, they’re sure to enjoy the activity. Add a slide and swing to the structure for added fun.
Music lessons
There are several advantages to teaching children to play music:
- Children become much more patient: you don’t become a musician overnight. It takes a lot of practice and discipline. However, if your child is passionate about music, he or she will surpass all that easily.
- Music develops intelligence: several studies have confirmed that children who play music are more advanced than those who do not.
- Music develops self-esteem: the satisfaction that comes from learning a new piece will engender in your child a sense of pride that will boost his or her self-confidence.
School vacations are the ideal time to give your child music lessons. With no homework to do and lessons to revise, your little one will have all the time he needs to perfect his art. What’s more, learning music isn’t just about lessons with a teacher. It’s also very important to practice at home. It’s enough to keep your little ones busy for several hours at home.
But which instrument should you choose? The best alternative is to ask your principal for advice. If they prefer piano, guitar or drums, go along with them. This will also help motivate him/her throughout the teaching process.
How many lessons per week? You don’t need to spend all your vacations on it. Just two or three sessions a week will suffice. You also need to give your child time to explore other horizons.
Sporting activities
Sport is crucial to keeping children healthy. In the absence of vacation PE classes, you need to find a way to keep your little ones physically active. Here are a few ideas.
A sliding sport
Extreme sports are very popular with children. They can start rollerblading, ice skating or skateboarding at the age of 3 or 4. This activity will also encourage them to get out of the house and play outdoors. What’s more, mastering such disciplines can take a long time. So your little ones will be well occupied during the vacations.
Martial arts
Martial arts classes are also an excellent alternative for keeping children busy over the summer. This activity will enable them to work on their coordination and endurance. Among the most popular disciplines are kung fu, taekwondo, karate and children’s yoga. It’s also a great opportunity for your little ones to make new friends.
A team sport
Getting your child involved in a team sport is a great way to socialize while keeping them active. The frequency of training per week can range from 2 to 3 days. Choose from baseball, basketball, soccer, handball, volleyball and many more.
Dance
Giving your child dance lessons during the vacations can be a great idea. You can introduce your child to dance from the age of 5. 2 to 3 sessions a week are ideal.
How to keep your child busy this summer 2024
Activity ideas for this summer
For youngsters aged 3 to 6, we recommend visits to nature parks and amusement parks. Indoor games such as puzzles and building sets are also recommended. If your little one is very active, try teaching him or her to rollerblade, skateboard, play basketball, soccer, dance or baseball.
On those lazy days when your children seem bored, suggest they do some spring cleaning. Ask them, for example, to sort out their old toys for a garage sale. This will give them extra pocket money to buy things they like.
Gardeningand arts and crafts will also keep the kids busy, while helping to strengthen your bond. They’re also excellent ways of revealing new talents in your little ones.
But what about you? What do you usually do with your children during the school vacations? What are your favorite activities? Share with us your tips for keeping the kids busy over the summer.