The summertime season always holds so much promise and potential. Whether you’re a parent or a child, almost everyone has been looking forward to a couple of months of rest, relaxation and FUN. We want our children to have a memorable summer, too. However, without fail, most of us hit that summertime lull of boredom where we’ve exhausted almost every activity, playdate and local attraction.
National Anti-Boredom Month, which is conveniently celebrated annually throughout the month of July, is all about fighting that lull of activities and preventing boredom. It also sparks an opportunity to try some new activities with children that can help ease them into a learning mindset and boost confidence for the upcoming start of the school year. At Kiddie Academy, we pay close attention to the passions of children. It’s all about child directed play, encouraging them to take advantage of the curiosities and activities that catch their attention.
This can help get children out of the mindset that learning only occurs during the months of August to May and helps create a safe and open environment for children to ask questions and build on curiosity. So, here is a list of five easy activities that fuse together learning and fun to help celebrate National Anti-Boredom month and kick that summertime lull to the curb:
1. Practice Simple Yoga Poses
This is a great way to encourage low-key activities while being physically active. This can help children develop independent play skills while practicing mindfulness and body awareness. You can even have a short yoga session outdoors!
2. Host a Photo Scavenger Hunt
Introduce your child to the world of technology and curiosity. Give your child a digital camera, smartphone or tablet, along with a list of items, and challenge them to find and take a picture of each item on the list. Don’t forget to hide each item around the house and align the challenge of the hiding spot with your child’s ability to find things.
3. Create a Scrapbook of “Firsts” Together
Create a scrapbook with your child documenting his or her “firsts” or special accomplishments. Share the pictures and tell stories about how proud you felt seeing him or her do the things in the pictures. Boost your child’s confidence and self-esteem while exercising their creative muscles.
4. Build an Index Card Tower
For a fun STEM activity, challenge your child to build a tower using only index cards and tape. Encourage them to think of ways they can change the shape of the cards to provide strength to the tower! Who will build the tallest tower?
5. Cook a Family Meal Together
Invite your child to help with family activities like helping plan and cook a family meal. Children want to feel like a valuable part of the family! Allowing them to have a role in making dinner a success, they can develop teamwork skills and confidence in their ability to complete a task. What a great way to boost executive function skills!
Of course another way to combat boredom is checking out your local Kiddie Academy for free community events throughout the month of July. To locate and register at participating Academies nationwide, visit these sites: Storytime LIVE!, STEM Adventures and Music & More where we help build relationships and get young minds moving.
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