Summer is coming to an end, and that means a return to work, school, and daycare. With the months winding down, you want to spend as much quality time as possible with your children. With that in mind, it’s time to create your end-of-summer bucket list.
If you’re looking to have fun and get out of the house, know that there are many fun and educational activities that can fill those hot summer days. Try some of these unforgettable activities to end the summer with a bang!
Go Fishing!
At the tail end of those hot summer days, there can be nothing better than taking the family out to the local creek or the ocean to try some fishing. Between the ages of 3-5 is a safe period to make memories as you reel in some fish, and catch-and-release fishing is your best bet. When you get started, teach the kids the basics of how to use the fishing pole and about the bait used to attract sea life.
When you teach kids to fish, you’ll want to find the proper equipment with a rod that isn’t too heavy or complicated. Then you can review books from the local library together. You can also show your kids how to properly bait the hook with worms or nightcrawlers that will slither around and keep them interested. Of course, you will also want to make sure that they are safe around the water.
There are also many lessons that children can learn while fishing, particularly with catch-and-release fishing. There is a lot to learn about nature and the enjoyment of being out in the fresh air, and it gives you a chance to teach them about where food comes from and how we can interact with nature without destroying it. These could be good lessons for the future as the kids learn to be self-reliant, especially if they fish for food when they get older.
Take a Day Trip
The good thing about summer is that the kids are still out of school and work is a little less hectic, so you have time to take a day trip to a new destination or an old favorite, and take the dog!
A mini road trip to another town is a great way to get everyone together, play some road trip games, and see some new sights. If you have your pooch in tow, remember to secure them properly, bring all necessary food and supplies, and never leave a dog or your child in a hot car alone.
There are many different places that you can go on your day trip, from amusement and national parks to baseball games and drive-in movies. Because you won’t be staying anywhere overnight, you can expect to save money without missing out on creating great memories.
You can also partake in many fun activities with your dog as well, including hikes, bike riding, safe swimming at the beach, or even a picnic at a new park. Younger kids might also get a kick out of a science museum or the local zoo.
If you are feeling more ambitious, you can go on a weekend camping trip. While you will want to bring their toys so they can play when they get restless, this is also an ideal time to teach them more about nature, respect of the wilderness, and how picking up garbage and staying clean can keep the forests beautiful.
At night, have a safe fire, along with some s’mores and other snacks, and sing campfire songs!
Get Educational
You can really hit the jackpot when you mix fun with education, so try to enjoy the summer while also preparing for school with STEM activities. STEM centers on teaching youth about the four core competencies of science, technology, engineering, and math. These are skills that are not only important for brain development, but they are also areas ripe with future job opportunities. The good thing is that you can have fun with your children while learning, even when they are toddlers.
As toddlers, learning is all about exploring their senses and having experiences where they can discover new things and ask questions. To experience science, you could let them explore a new park or drop different items into a bucket of water and see how they splash.
For technology, they can start using safe tools like child-friendly scissors or chalk as they make a masterpiece out on the driveway. A good idea for engineering is building with blocks. For math, you can play with basic addition and subtraction during snack time.
As your kids grow, fun and engaging STEM activities can give you entertaining things to do as a family. Doing so helps prepare them for when they go back to school in the fall so they can be confident when they learn new subjects.
As they get older, they can try more advanced summer activities, such as learning programming languages or playing video games that tackle social issues. Teach them these skills now so that, when they are older, they can take time off from their great jobs to make summer bucket lists for your grandchildren!
When it comes to our kids, there are no better memories than those you make during summer time. Plan quality time now with your family before school starts up.
Sam Bowman writes about families, wellness, and how the two merge. He enjoys getting to utilize the internet for community without actually having to leave his house. In his spare time he likes running, reading, and combining the two in a run to his local bookstore.
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