School’s out for summer! Your kids definitely deserve a break from the school-year grind, but you also know they need to keep their brains and bodies moving for a variety of reasons. If you work from home like I do, or are a stay-at-home parent, AND have your kids home for much of the summer, you’ll need to create a routine that is flexible, offers plenty of creative and active time, AND gives you space to get your own projects done.
I’ve found a few models that could be easily modified to fit individual circumstances. Can’t get out of the house? Ask an older sibling, neighbor teen, or family member to help.
Daily Themes
Carve out 1-3 hours each day to focus on a theme. These can be tweaked depending on what your kiddos are interested in, as well as your budget and travel flexibility.
- Make Something Monday: Find a fun DIY craft or even a home-improvement project to tackle.
- Taste Something Tuesday: Let your kids find a recipe they want to try, maybe for lunch or a dessert, or a new-to-them cuisine!
- Wonder (or Wander) Somewhere Wednesday: Find a local museum, park, or trail you haven’t explored yet.
- Thankful Thursday: Give back to your community through service, collecting food or toiletries for local pantries, or walking dogs for a nearby shelter.
- Family Fun Friday: Pick a new board game or sport to try together!
Here are some other examples:
- Library Day: Check to see if/when your local library is hosting a kid-friendly event and plan a visit then. Several Hendricks County libraries support reciprocal borrowing, which means most residents can get a free library card and borrow items from any of these libraries: Avon-Washington Township, Brownsburg, Clayton-Liberty Township, Coatesville-Clay Township, and Danville. Residents in Pittsboro and Lizton need to purchase a library membership in order to participate. The Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library is part of the Evergreen network, connecting it with more than 100 other libraries across the state for sharing privileges. (Those outside of Plainfield who wish to check out books and resources must purchase a Public Library Access Card (PLAC) at the library’s front desk.)
- Nature Day: Weather-permitting, head out for a hike or picnic at one of our incredible Hendricks County parks! Check to see if there is an event and plan your visit to include it. Print off a scavenger hunt checklist for some spontaneity!
- Water Day: Go to your neighborhood pool or one of our area splash pads or recreation areas… or go stomp in a creek!
- Movie Day: Local movie theaters and parks departments have great line-ups all summer long! Here is a great list to keep handy.
- Splurge/Treat Day: Give each of your kiddos a little spending money and allow them to pick one place they want to spend it. How about some special ice cream, a new toy, or a round of mini golf? YOU set the parameters, budget, timeline, and other rules.
- Creative Day: The at-home version could include construction paper, scissors, cardboard, stickers, paint and other art supplies. Or, schedule a class/session at Children’s Art Classes or Brightly Art Studio in Brownsburg, or uPaint Pottery Studio in Plainfield to kick things up a few notches!
Summer Camp at Home
One of my favorite parenting and early childhood education influencers, Susie Allison (aka @busytoddler), created a curriculum of six weeks of themed play for toddlers through elementary school, with several activities ready to go for each week. She makes sure to note that this should not be stressful or overwhelming. Make it work for your schedule and budget. Her themes include:
- STEM Week
- Nature Week
- Games Week
- Art Week
- Water & Ice Week
- Camping Week
Each theme includes one writing prompt (for older kids), features manageable supply lists, and won’t cost you an arm and a leg. Enjoy exploring her content!
