We hope these activities will lead to some quality time for you and the kids you care about.

Quality time happens when we least expect it, often around the smallest and least expensive events.  You can’t schedule it. It doesn’t take a lot of time. Instead, it takes a lot of small moments. Be prepared to be surprised by many “magical” moments while doing our summer activities.  If you fully tune into your child, you and your child can make an amazing connection.  

ACTIVITIES

1.  Let’s have an “anything goes” meal. Work with your child to plan an “anything goes” meal. It can be healthy – or not so healthy. It can be just fun. It’s OK if it is something that has never been served before. For example, cereal for dinner or four different flavors of ice cream – one with nuts, one with fruit, one with sauce, etc. Or think up a color scheme and then think of foods to match – something yellow, white, blue, and green.

2.  Let’s use our green thumbs. Plant something – flowers, herbs, vegetables. Assign your child a chore to take care of the plantings – water, weed, or harvest.

3.  Let’s rhyme. Help your child make a rhyme. Read him rhymes to help him get the idea. You can find things at the library or on the Internet. For younger children, start by finding words that rhyme with their name. For older children, show them how to use the Internet to find words that rhyme. After your child finishes his poem, have him draw a picture to go with it. Post the poem and picture where they can be seen.

4.  Let’s play “Ask for Help.” Take turns thinking of different ways to ask for help in different situations. For example, “When school starts again, you aren’t sure where your classroom will be. What could you do?” Or, “You want to play with your friend who lives several blocks away, but you can’t play at each other’s houses right now. What could you do?” Take turns thinking of different ways to ask for help. Who would you talk to? What would you say?  Write down the ideas and post them where they can be seen. Ask your child which suggestions she likes the best. Be sure to let your child know that asking for help is a powerful thing to do.

5.  Let’s be all about grandparents. Use your local library or the Internet to find out about grandparents in your culture and also in other cultures. For younger children, you can find the facts and share what you learn. For older children, you can help them find the facts and read all about it. Talk with your child about how his grandparents are alike and different from what you are learning about other cultures. Arrange for your child to share what he learned with his own grandparents, or if that is not possible with some older relatives, friends, or neighbors that are like grandparents to him. Sharing can be done on internet, by phone, or by letter, if in-person is not safe.

For more activities see:

Summer Activities #1

Summer Activities #2

Summer Activities #3

Summer Activities #4

Summer Activities #5

Summer Activities #6