Summer vacation has started for us. Here, schools will be opening in August. Even though we wait for this holiday time but after one month, this starts to lose its charm. I was having this conversation with one of my friends about her plans for summer. She said, “I am waiting for the break to start so that I will get to spend time with my kids.” Frankly speaking, I was surprised with her answer. I jokingly replied, “my dedication ends after 1 month or at max 1 ½ months.” If we are traveling to India then this time seems like a blessing but if not then it’s a long break especially when we cannot step out even after sunset. So, how to keep them occupied? Summer camps are an option but many parents (including me) want to give kids some breathing time.

 

Now, when I have my own writing deadlines and a toddler at home along with my daughter’s summer break, I have to think of some ideas to keep her busy so that I get time to finish my writing assignments. There are so many things what kids can do during summer vacation that they are not able to do with school. This can give a vacation to the parent’s wallets too..:)

 

 

Here are few of my ideas. You can call them cost-free summer vacation ideas for your kids:

• Pool party/pool get-togethers: Kids of all ages love being in the water. Recently, we have celebrated my kid’s birthdays. Since both of them are June babies, we celebrated pool birthday party and trust me kids had a blast. The best part for pool party is you don’t have to plan for any activity. You don’t have to wait for summer birthday for pool fun. Pick any good day and call your kids friends, get some munching snacks and you are good to go.

 

• Playdate: Playdates are the most economical summer vacation idea. If you are a group of moms then you can take turns and have a playdate at each house. This will give a break to each one of you and kids can have fun with their friends. Or it can be a good time for you to hang out with your friends.

 

• Summer reading programs: Summer is a good time to strengthen reading skills. Most libraries have a summer reading program in which kids can earn free books or other prizes. Just stop in for one of the library’s other special events. Themed activity days may include book readings, related crafts, and hands-on learning

 

• Indoor games: Take out the board games. Have some quality time with your family. Monopoly, Scrabble, Othello, Life are few of my daughter’s favorite games.

 

• Spend some time in the kitchen: You can involve kids in the kitchen. Making fresh juices or baking a cake together. Trying out a new ice cream recipe.

 

• Movie night/movie afternoon: I know, movie afternoon sounds a bit odd. Isn’t? But during summer, days are tough to pass by. So, you can plan for a movie afternoon. You can check out movies from your local libraries. Do the same thing what you usually do for any movie night – popcorn, drinks, pizza. Spread sleeping bag and enjoy a movie with your kid(s).

 

• Dinner at parks: If the weather permits then plan for an impromptu dinner at your nearby parks. Pack whatever you have cooked for dinner, grab picnic mat, maybe a Frisbee and get going. Sometimes, change in the ambiance plays a big role.

 

• Movie under the sky: Many parks organize movies under the starts. Even if you don’t stay the entire time, the experience itself is fun for kids.

 

• Try out something new: Something that your child wants to do but couldn’t during school year. My daughter started to write short stories but due to her studies and other activities, she couldn’t finish them. Now when her break has started, she decided to finish up those stories.

 

• Take up a sport or pastime as a family: Yoga, bicycling and hiking are good sports for families to engage in together. The best part is you can stay fit and spend quality time with your family all at once.

 

These were few of my ideas. You can always combine it with some activity classes you kid is really keen to join. Summer vacation is a time to relax, enjoy and chill with your family. Kids also need this time to rejuvenate themselves for the next year.

 

This post is a part of the blog train where 24 awe-inspiring bloggers, are going to share their story of ‘Summer’. Hop on the train to read some amazing blogs.

This ‘Summer Blog Train is organized by Neha Sharma from Growing With Nemit .

I want to thank Disha of lifemyway for introducing me in her blog post.  Now the train will move to the station of Surbhi Prapanna of surbhiprapannablogsblog . Do show some love to her blog post as well.