Written by: Micayla Paterno
As summer approaches and the school year comes to an end, we recognize that adjusting to a new schedule is often challenging for families to navigate. Managing how your child will get enough playtime, socialization, learning, and downtime without the structure of school can feel overwhelming. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, excessive screen time amongst our youth has sparked concerns related to sleep, mental health, and cognition. We assure you that there are ways to minimize screen time and foster a healthy balance between play and rest for your children.
Here are some budget-friendly tips for keeping your kids occupied this summer:
Boredom
Kids don’t need constant entertainment. In fact, it is crucial for them to experience boredom, which provides perfect opportunities to use their imagination and stretch their creative “muscles”. If (when) your child tells you they’re bored, refrain from offering solutions. Instead, empower them to come up with ideas on their own! The possibilities are endless when you allow a developing mind space to create.
Nature
Scientific research has demonstrated that spending time with nature is rejuvenating. Summer is a perfect time to take advantage of beautiful weather, with countless opportunities for children to explore the world around them. Some fun outdoor activities include: picnicking, camping, beach day, venturing to a local forest preserve or state park, bike-riding, gardening, fishing, and so much more. Another idea is to make a list of things you might see, hear, or smell in nature, set out on a journey and see how many of them you can find!
Arts and crafts
Go on a trip to Hobby Lobby and pick out a fun craft. For messier projects, set up supplies outside. Tie-dyeing t-shirts, painting rocks to decorate the garden, making friendship bracelets, or creating a sidewalk chalk masterpiece are just a few ideas.
Lemonade stand
Encourage your kids to set up their own little business! They can decorate a poster for advertisement and make lemonade from scratch. Once they collect their earnings, take a trip to Dollar Tree! This gives children a sense of autonomy and encourages them to work towards a reward.
Movie night
Don’t worry, there is no need to completely eradicate screens. Setting aside time for a movie is a great way to relax and bond as a family. Designate one or two nights a week to be movie night, either at home or a theater. Cozy up in your favorite pajamas, make some popcorn, and pick a family-friendly film to enjoy.
Expectations can be altered to match your child’s stage of development. Every child is unique, so every child has different needs for freedom and structure. However, kids of all ages benefit from time spent entertaining themselves. While younger kids require more supervision, older children need to exercise more independence in planning their activities. Feel free to consult with one of our counselors for help to establish age-appropriate activities and boundaries so you can be confident that you and your child have a wonderful summer!
We are accepting new clients at both our locations in Naperville and Downers Grove! To schedule with a therapist, please email Clinical Director and Psychotherapist, Kelsey Romanoff, LCPC at kromanoff@napervillewellnessandcounseling.com.
