March is spring break month, and that means a week with no kids at home from school. You may have planned a getaway out of town, or you may have a few things planned in and around the city you live in. Either way, this week is also a reminder that summer is right around the corner, and that means the kids will be home for 3 months!
As parents, we try to keep our kids from spending too much time in front of the TV and computer on the weekends. That can be even harder during the summer. March is not too early to start thinking about what you want to plan for your kids during summer break. Summer vacation is 5 days a week, with the weekend looking no different, which can be a big task, especially if you work outside the home.
Plan an event calendar
One way to make the summer schedule unique is to assign a theme to each day. One day each week, the kids can clean their rooms and have another room in the home that they are responsible for cleaning. This teaches the kids to take care of their things and that being part of a family means everyone pitches in. The first time or two, depending on their age, they’ll need to be shown how to clean and organize. Hopefully, after that, they’ll need supervision to get their jobs done.
Another day could outdoor adventures. Spend as much time as you can outdoors. Explore parks you haven’t visited, take hikes on trails or around lakes. Bring the crayons and sketch books, and have the kids draw outside. Then visit an art gallery that shows Plein Air paintings. (Art for where the artists actually painted a scene outside, just like the kids did with their crayons. Don’t forget the picnic!
One day is Library Day. Libraries are a great place to spend some time in the summer. Get the kids involved in the Summer Reading Program. Go to the library during reading times. Let them choose their own books. This is a good way to make sure the kids value books, not just computers!
Summer Camps to educate and entertain
There are many week-long camps for kids during the summer. Many offer a range of interests and activities, from Science to Art, Sports, and Dance. Summer camps are a great way to expose your child to other areas of interest or to further their passion for something they love. Catherine’s Dance Studio in downtown Parkville is offering Summer Day Camps for girls in K-4th grade from 9-3 Monday-Thursday with a family performance on Friday night! Look for themes such as Princess, storybook, and Hawaiian Beach Dance Party. Kids involved in the Dance Camp will explore techniques in ballet, jazz, and hip hop while learning a short dance they can perform for friends and family on Friday Night. For more information about Catherine Dance Studio’s summer Camp, please visit their website.
Summer is a fun time for kids and parents! It can be a time to relax, explore, and learn. Take advantage of all the opportunities your kids have in their communities, from your own backyard to parks and summer camps!
We are looking forward to bringing our students and the kids in Parkville a summer camp that will teach them more about dancing and having fun at the same time!