Kids and Summer Play

Do you ever feel like electronics will get the best of you when it comes to raising kids in this modern age?

If so, you’re not alone!

We have many conversations in our office on how to implement healthy usage and what we’ve (mostly!) realized is that engaging kids in other activities helps create balance and interest in life outside (no pun intended!) of devices.  It can also encourage self-regulation of their use.

So this summer, while you don’t have to keep kids entertained 100% of the time, think about what activities can engage them in their physical, mental, and spiritual health for a well-balanced season of fun and growth!

Here are 15 to get you started!

1. Involve them in fun food. Let kids choose juices, fruits, and yogurts for homemade popsicles, have them make their own sun tea, or let them create a menu from produce they pick out at a local farmer’s market.

 

2. Get crafty. Try jewelry making, origami, a Buddha Board, pottery painting, mosaic creation, or tie dye.

 

3. Get out on the water. Rent paddle boards, kayaks, or canoes and paddle to a beach to spread out a blanket for a picnic lunch.

 

4. Build something. Bird houses, wind chimes, flower boxes, forts, teepees, obstacle courses, tin can robots, and cardboard “castle” boxes can get kids focused on creative fun.

 

5. Journal together. Offer a daily or weekly question such as, “What superpower would you love to have and why?” or “Write about the best day of the summer so far” or “How do you create your own happiness?” that can be answered in a journal.

 

6. Create a scavenger hunt. Make a list of things to find and let the kids search for them! These can include items such as a dandelion, bird, pine needle, feather, red rock, butterfly, dog, and ant or opt for an indoor one during a rainy day with things like a paperclip, book with the letter R in its title, something with wheels, something soft, an item that reminds them of summer, something they’ve built, and a favorite stuffed animal.

 

7. Make it a swim day. Visit a local indoor or outdoor pool or beach. Don’t forget water toys!

 

8. Read together. Whether reading aloud to each other, individually next to each other, or listening to an audiobook, encourage kids to pick out a book at a library or bookstore and set aside time for quiet reading and reflection.

 

9. Explore. Ride a sand sled down the Great Sand Dunes National Park, hike around Garden of the Gods, or roam the Paint Mines Interpretive Park.

 

10. Help others. Bake cookies for an elderly neighbor, organize a neighborhood can food drive for a charity, or participate in a 5k walk/run to raise money for an organization.

 

11. Camp. Both indoors in the living room and outdoors in the backyard (or an actual campsite!), camping can be exciting for kids. Stargaze, tell stories, make shadow puppets, and enjoy spending time together.

 

12. Play games. Get silly with backyard games, board games, puzzles, card tricks, etc.; and go old school with four square, hopscotch, and jump ropes!

 

13. Watch nature documentaries. Learn about different regions of the world and the animals that thrive within them. Check out those about oceans, deserts, mountains, rivers, and forests.

 

14. Connect with long distance others. Encourage kids to write letters, call, or Zoom friends and family that live far away.

 

15. Hike to waterfalls. It’s fun when there’s a goal to achieve on a hike, like waterfalls, in which Colorado has plenty to explore! Here’s a list of them!

Whether a warm, sunny day filled with plenty of fresh air and exercise or a rainy day perfect for slowing down and being creative, there are seemingly endless ways to get kids engaged in their wellbeing.  And you can have fun participating as well!

If your child is in need of naturopathic medicine or holistic counseling, please contact us at (303) 688-6698 or click here to schedule an appointment. 

The CNMA office provides naturopathic care, testing, massage, and holistic counseling to those in Castle Rock, Castle Pines, Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Centennial, Parker, Larkspur, Monument, Colorado Springs, and the greater Denver metro area.  For those outside of these areas, virtual appointments are available.

CNMA does not endorse any activity, location, company, etc. Ideas are for inspirational purposes only.