We are just a few weeks into Summer and we know it’s coming. Those two dreaded words from kids who are at the age where they can finally speak…I’m Boooorrrreeedddd! It happens every summer, we don’t know why. You would think a whole summer off from school with the unending possibilities of adventure, playing with friends, lounging out at the pool, and being able to sleep past 7 am would be a dream come true!
The truth is, Kids need daily interactions with other humans and activities that keep their minds growing as they soak in life of the world around them. Think back to our childhood, before we had mega video games, iPad, even cell phones. What did we do? We played! We went outside and made pretend vegetable stew using grass clippings, flowers, leaves, and sometimes a random worm and served it up to our friends as we used the trampoline and swing set as a make shift house covered with sheets and filled it up with our favorite Cabbage Patch Dolls or Match Box Cars. We would spend hours playing, running, laughing and never got bored because we were using our imaginations, there was no other choice. You either sat there all day and looked at the ants go marching one by one on the ground or you got creative with friend or a sibling and your world suddenly became like a scene out of Peter Pans Neverland!
Over the last 20 years I have taught kids Art, in local schools, Studios, and as an Afterschool & Summer Camp Director for the YMCA. One thing I have noticed is that when given a prompt or an idea, kids will run with it. Sometimes they just need that little spark and you will be amazed at how long they will stay engaged in a project or activity if it is presented in a fun way. Here are 5 ways you can encourage your child to stay busy while making amazing memories that will last a lifetime.
1. Make a theme box. It can be one of those plastic tote bins, or a treasure chest. Search your house, the Dollar Tree, or a local yard sale/thrift shop for some fun hats, gloves, shoes, clothes, costumes, and props. Each week (or every few days) fill it up. You can type a fun message to your kids or hide a cool note and maybe throw a camera in there and let them have fun! I always try to keep it themed, so one week might be Superheroes, another is At the Beach, Princess & Pirate Tea Party, ect. The kids will look forward to seeing what is in their theme box each week and you will get some priceless photos! You can even let your children wear their cool outfits around town and Skype the grandparents to tell them all about their adventures as Wonder Girl or the world’s greatest Fireman!
2. Enroll them in a local Art Class, outdoor nature experience, or STEM building class! In Knoxville there are several places you can go to take a class or workshop that are affordable and fun and will enrich your child’s lives with something they can continue at home and share with friends. Check out Smart Toys & Books, Creative Art Classes and Creativity Camps with Miss Shelley, Ijams Nature Center, and Bricks 4 Kidz as they have some of the best summer programs for kids that you can attend for a few hours or a half day session!
3. For the Teens, if they aren’t working they are probably glued to a device or slumping around on a couch somewhere with a pile of empty chip bags and water bottles strewn about and if they are a boy they may have not even showered in a few days. There is hope! Talk to your teens and find out who their friends are and schedule a play date. Take them to the mall to walk around, go on a hike, check out the beach at the Cove at Concord Park for some volleyball and kayaking, try an Escape Game, or buy an all-day pass for the Main Event where they can bowl, enjoy obstacle courses, eat, and battle it out in Laser Tag. Another fun place is the new Action Adventure Park that just opened where they can test their Ninja Warrior skills and take a drive on the indoor Go-Kart track.
4. Make a day trip to the Knoxville Zoo and have your child pick out an animal to do a study on. They can interview Zoo Staff, make a documentary, and then research and find fun facts about the cool animals and where they are from. Perhaps you can create a scavenger hunt for the zoo too! Be sure to pack the swimsuits for some afternoon fun at the Zoo’s Splash Pad and Play Area.
5. One of my summer favorites…a bonfire and campout! You may not want to go to the mountains right now because it’s active bear season, but you can still enjoy a fun campout in your back yard or living room! Take some time to check out the stars. Teach your child to build a tent. Enjoy creative campfire stories. Story cubes are great for starting up conversations or you can play a fun game of charades and try out some new campfire recipes over your outdoor fire pit. There are also some great places to camp that are local like Norris Dam State Park and Indian Boundary Recreation Center. Both are at a lake with a beach area and are so much fun!
Your child will thank you for making it one of a kind Summer to remember! I can’t wait to hear the stories of your favorite activities you tried. For more ideas or check out the Knoxville Macaroni Kid Events calendar.
Stay Creative Always!
Shelley Lapham-Pastore (aka: Miss Shelley)
Editor & Publisher, Macaroni Kid Knoxville
