“I’m bored.”
Those words can be cringe-worthy for parents with demanding schedules. Not to mention, summer break is nearing its end, leaving many busy Moms and Dads pressed for time but wanting to make the most of the few weeks that remain before school starts.
Household projects or TV programs may be easy ways to keep the kids occupied, but cleaning out the garage or endless hours of television may not be the most ideal way to stimulate growing minds. So how’s a parent to make time for the kids in a way that allows them to be both physically active and creatively challenged?
Get crafty.
For most kids, summers aren’t complete without a few art projects thrown into the mix. Experts agree art helps us grow and evolve in how we understand ourselves, each other, and our world. In the book Art as Therapy, authors Alain De Botton and John Armstrong identify seven functions of art as improving the ability to appreciate, grow, rebalance, develop memory, validate our sorrows, gain self-understanding, and experience hope.
Whether such projects entail drawing, painting, or making shapes with homemade clay or Play-Doh, the intent should be less about creating a praise-worthy piece and more about exploration, self-expression and taking risks. If you have the space, children should be allowed to make messy art, or art just for the fun of it.
Find inspiration from nature.
Community parks and public lands afford a wealth of outdoor recreation opportunities for children and parents alike. Such excursions, even when brief, allow the body and mind to recalibrate by disconnecting from digital devices. In a recent study, those who took a nature walk along quiet, tree-lined paths showed improvements in their mental health.
While outdoors, why not come prepared with sketchpads and pencils or markers, and draw a nature scene from your destination? Or, if city ordinances allow, find souvenirs such as rocks, tree bark, leaves, and pine cones and take them home to do textured crayon rubbings. You can even look for appropriately sized walking sticks to paint at home later, or make a leaf collage or plant journal from the organic materials you find.
Create a masterpiece in the kitchen.
Why not try your hand at preparing an easy and refreshing summer dish like a colorful fruit salad and make a day of it? If necessary, start by researching recipes, using an online tool such as Epicurious to discover new ideas and flavors or Allrecipes for kid-friendly combinations. Then, head to your local farmers market for fruits and vegetables, or visit a nearby pick-your-own farm to gather your own ingredients. Allow the kids to help in the kitchen at a leisurely pace, making sure to prioritize the experience over the result. End the culinary adventure with a sunset picnic in the park (or in your backyard).
Hit the road.
If you itching to take the kids out of town one last time before school starts, why not plan a quick trip to one of the national parks in your state that you haven’t explored yet? A road trip doesn’t have to be expensive or stressful. Try camping outdoors and bringing a few pre-made meals to take in the scenery without breaking the bank.
Choose an adventure closer to home.
When it comes to planning fun activities with the kids, why do all the work yourself? Community centers, museums, zoos, and libraries often hold kid-friendly events throughout the summer, many of which are free. Often, libraries hold read-a-thons when kids are out of school, and it may not be too late to enter (some even offer contests and prizes). At the very least, why not build a blanket fort at home or set up a reading tent in the backyard where you and your kids can escape with a good book (or a few) to read together?
However you choose to spend the remainder of the summer with your children, with a little creativity of your own, it’s unlikely you’ll hear “I’m bored” anytime soon. Most importantly, remember: this time is precious. Even if they’re not yet old enough to express their gratitude, or if they don’t quite realize how important your time together is, be assured that your presence will always be a more valuable gift to them in the long run, more so than any presents you could offer.
Not to mention, you’ll make memories that last a lifetime.
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