Summer vacation can sneak up on me if I’m not careful. This year, I’m starting early with a little inspiration from my favorite mommy book, The Power of a Positive Mom
Throw a Family Party
On the first day of summer vacation. This can include balloons, cake and the whole bit. Be prepared to celebrate your childs achievements over the past school year. Start now by saving progress reports, artwork, certificates, etc. so you can provide concrete examples and encourage their areas of giftedness.
Make a Summer Planning Calendar.
Include a list of fun activities you & your kids want to do over summer vacation. Many communities have free summer events such as: children’s matinees, concerts in the park, library book clubs and/or classes, free zoo or museum days, etc. Also include summer rules, like how much television they’ll be allowed to watch, what chores will be required, bedtime, etc.
Help them set two or three summer goals to include on the calendar. Ideas:
~read___books this summer
~learn to sew
~grow a garden
~volunteer
~plan, shop and cook an entire meal (for the older kiddos)
Make a Boredom Buster Can
Using a decorated coffee container. Have the kids work with you to come up with several things to do when they’re bored. Write each one on a separate piece of paper. When they say they’re bored in the coming weeks, have them randomly pull a Boredom Buster from the can.
Inspire Creativity
Watch for clearance sales on craft kits, art supplies and grade appropriate workbooks over the next few weeks for fun projects throughout the summer.
By having a plan now, I’ll be able to ensure a fun and fulfilling summer. It Works for Me!
Find other great WFMW posts over at We Are That Family.
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
these are some great summer ideas. thanks also for posting for the tshirt offer. I may just do that for mother’s day!
My kids are teenagers or gone from home now, but several years we had a great summer, and it was because I took the time before school ended to plan. It makes a difference! Each child made a list of 5′s – books to read, places to visit, things to cook, etc. We may not have completed everything, but it was a fun summer, and definitely more productive than it would have been without planning. Enjoy your summer!
What a great idea. I always complain about my kids being home for so long in the summer and I’ve never thought to plan out the summer for them. Thank you for the idea and suggestions!!
Great ideas! Thanks for sharing!
~Liz
These ideas will work even when Granny has the grandkids! Nice list. Thanks for sharing and reminding me of things I can do with my grandsons.
Ginger
I love these ideas, especially the Boredom Buster can! That will work wonderfully with my 3.5-yo son! Thanks for the tips.
Meg
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