4 Ways to Keep Your Child Engaged and Challenged This Summer
We’re not trying to stress anyone out, but summer vacation is not that far away. And when that school year ends, most parents want to have a plan in place—one that will keep their children safe and entertained but won’t break the bank.
These days, with prices stubbornly higher than ever, affording summer activities can be a challenge. But finding the right activities for your kids is possible. It just takes a little time and creativity and the resolve to act sooner rather than later, because many summer camps and programs start registering participants in January or February.
To help you out, we tackled the research and came up with four options for keeping your child active and engaged over the summer:
- Educational Camps. Niche learning camps are a great way to nurture your child’s unique interests and abilities while also allowing them to experience new challenges. STEM camps like those offered at the University of Central Florida and the University of South Florida are especially popular right now and offer elementary students through high schoolers the opportunity to explore a range of fields—from cooking to robotics and aerospace engineering. Summer day camps at the Florida Aquarium in Tampa allow kids from 3 to 18 to dive into marine science careers, experience live animal encounters, and learn about local waters.
- Local Library Adventures. Some of the best solutions to tight budgets or limited ability to travel can be found at local libraries. After all, they are designed to serve you, and most of them have organized summer activities that are aimed at encouraging kids of all ages to read more. Programs in Orange County and Leon County include free books, goody bags and prizes as part of the deal.
- At-Home Fun. If you’re looking for safe and affordable fun this summer, try entertaining your child at home. With a little imagination—and maybe a little elbow grease—you can turn familiar spaces into brand-new worlds. Build an obstacle course in the backyard, organize a neighborhood scavenger hunt, grow some vegetables or hold a neighborhood cooking class in your kitchen. Some experts even recommend letting your child get bored from time to time—so they can learn to make their own choices about how to stay engaged.
- Family Field Trips. Why not pack up and hit the road? Even if only for a day, let your kids navigate the route—via GPS or an old-school paper map—and enjoy the challenge of exploring the unknown. From historical lighthouses to cutting-edge space exploration to 175 state parks, Florida has something for kids of all ages.
The way summer creeps up on us as parents is the best reminder that the days are long—but the years are short. And we only get 18 summers before they’re off into adulthood, so making the most of every one of them is worth the effort!
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