Summer Fun 911

BY CHRISTOPHER BYRNE, CONTENT DIRECTOR www.TimetoPlayMag.com

Here we are more than halfway through the summer, and many parents are wracking their brains trying to figure out things for their kids to do. My mom, who had 4 rambunctious boys, had a unique perspective on it. She didn’t think it was her job to do that.. Her response to a complaint of “we’re bored” was “No, you’re not. You’ve got three brothers, a houseful of books, toys and games and all outdoors. Figure something out.” And that something didn’t include TV watching, by the way.

Still because of the pressure on working parents, organized activities and the comparatively more complex contemporary world, many parents feel it’s their job to rescue kids from boredom. Still, we think boredom is underrated and shouldn’t be feared. With a little guidance and some oversight, boredom can foster creativity, which can lead to days that are full and fly by. Naturally, your level of involvement will depend on the age of the child and the number of kids, but think of your job not primarily as activities director but catalyst, and you’ll do both yourself and your kids a favor. First, you’ll be teaching your kids to be resourceful, and you’ll take some pressure off yourself by having to come up with something that “works” for the kids. One of the things we consistently observe in play situations is that kids are geniuses at dropping something if it doesn’t work for them. Instead of turning to you for another idea (which can be frustrating), they’ll have to come up with something that does work.

Indoor Activities

Here in the Northeast, we’ve been having one of the hottest summers on record, punctuated by tumultuous thunderstorms. That means indoor activities. Now there’s nothing wrong with TV or video games in moderation, but here are a few other ideas:

Game Tournaments: Pick a favorite board game, whether new or classic, and set up a tournament. This can be any game that kids like such as Sorry, Uno, Blokus or even Checkers. Games that are relatively quick playing and involve both luck and strategy tend to work best for this. Make it a family activity, or invite some kids over. Offer a few prizes for the winners, and let them go to town.
Arts & Crafts: There are all kinds of craft kits, but sometimes a can of crayons and markers and paper is the best thing you can give a kid to inspire hours of play, but sometimes a little guidance can give focus to these projects. For instance, though it may seem early, suggest that kids start making holiday cards for friends and family.

Media Projects: Today’s tech savvy kids are proficient at varieties of media. Suggest a project like a compilation of favorite family music, or shooting a documentary about the family pet or the neighborhood.
Outdoor Activities

When I was a kid, it was very common for us to have yard chores to do—from weeding the flowerbeds to when we were old enough, mowing the lawn. These are great for helping kids to understand how they’re contributing to the family and learning skills they’ll need.

Forts, Clubs and Treehouses: Kids love having their own spaces, and these structures where no grownups are allowed can be as simple or sophisticated as you want. A large box works. A space under a favorite tree works. Or you can build elaborate structures in your yards. What all of these have in common is the ability for kids to be in a private world that’s all their own. Naturally, if you do something elaborate, you’ll want to check all local ordinances about structures in your yard.

Riding Bikes: Many parents today are a little leery of just letting their kids take off on their bikes, but with proper preparation and kids who are old enough, this can be a great idea. A level of freedom is great for kids, as is the trust that you put in them. You set parameters on where and how far they can go, as well as checking in. Kids need all relevant gear and need to demonstrate understanding of bike rules.
Pick Up Games: Another oldie but goodie. Lots of kids we talk to are exhausted from so many organized sports; they’re simply not fun because the emphasis is on competition and winning. A croquet set, a soccer ball, a Wiffle ball and bat and two or more kids and you’ve got all you need. It’s important for parents and adults to take a backseat here. Kids need to experience setting their own rules and resolving conflicts, and that, besides the physical activity, is really great for them.

Community Activities

Many communities have ongoing activities that kids can get involved in. From community clean-ups to summer drama clubs to programs through a local “Y” or library, chances are you’ll find something your kid is interested in. These offer kids a chance to have new experiences and meet new kids and people in their community who share their interests.

All of these fulfill the three basic tenets of play: exploration, experience and expression. They make for a well-rounded summer, well-rounded kids and parents who know that they have created an environment in which kids can grow and have fun. That’s the best summer has to offer.

I had the privilege of meeting Christopher Byrne at an event in Denver. He is such a great guy with amazing ideas! I wanted to say a special thanks to him for providing this post for my blog and my readers. I hope you guys enjoyed it as much as I did.