Patch Picks: Five Ways to Keep the Kids Busy This Summer

If the kids aren’t out of school already, they probably will be by next week, which will begin the three-month stretch of worry-free summer. Lucky for them, right?

Maybe not. Plenty of kids suddenly find themselves in a monotonous, lethargic routine without the everyday social contact that school normally provides. Parents, get ready for that headache-inducing litany of ,“There’s nothing to doooo,” especially from teens.

Or worse yet, you might find your child has barricaded themselves in their rooms with only the television and their video game console to talk to, with enough rations of Doritos to last them until September. They’ll eventually emerge just as pasty-white as when they went in, but with significantly less brain cells and severely dilated pupils.

As parents, it is your duty to make your kids get outside and do something with their summer breaks. Here’s a few ideas to help you, and them, get started:

1. Send them to summer camp. Do some research. There are a ton of summer camps in the area. Some are just day camps that kids go to for a few hours a day, others are two and three week-long sleep-away camps that get your kids away from home and out in the wilderness. What fits your child’s interests? The hosts day camps for all ages, from pre-school to teens. The Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts both offer summer programs for members. And there are plenty of specialized camps for particular interests, like rocketry camps, aviator camps, art camps… choose one that’s right for them.

2. Help them land a summer job. In the summer months, there’s usually plenty of employers looking for cheap child labor. All kidding aside, kids can get a summer job as young as 14. It might be something like cleaning up at local parks, or washing dishes at a nearby restaurant, but it’s a start, and it puts some money in their pocket for other interests. Landscaping contractors, pool maintenance, and house-cleaning services often seek out youthful assistants in the summertime. These jobs won’t generally be posted online; ask the school’s guidance office, or check out local flyer postings.

3. Get a family pool pass. Just about every town has a community pool. If you have more than one child, but you don’t have a pool in the back yard, this one is a must. A summer pool pass pretty much allows the kids access to the pool at any time, which is great if it’s within walking or bike-riding distance from your home. My family had five kids growing up, and in the summers, the community pool pass was essential to battle the doldrums. For hours of operation and a list of events at pool, click here. For pool rates and lesson information, click here.

4. Help them find a hobby. They have three whole months to do… well, anything. Find out something they’ve always wanted to try, and don’t take, “I don’t know,” for an answer. It could be learning to play an instrument, sewing, taking up a martial art, joining a summer sports league, learning to paint or draw -- the possibilities are endless. The Internet holds a ton of information for just about any medium, and will probably have a book or two about any hobby. Even if they only spent an hour or two a day learning something new, you’ll both be amazed at what can be accomplished in just a few months.

5. Let them explore. I believe this one is necessary for all kids. Don’t keep them cooped up in the house all day. When I was growing up, I had the luxury of living in a small town; the community pool was five minutes away, there was a baseball field down the street, and a lot of my friends lived within a few blocks. Maybe it’s not the same situation for your kids, but there’s nothing wrong with letting them ride their bike around the neighborhood, or walk to a nearby friend’s house or park. Have a teenager with a drivers license? Let them take the car once a week to the mall or movies. Your kids need some freedom, and they also need to feel like you trust them enough to let them explore. If you let them know you trust them, they will -- hopefully -- be instilled with a renewed sense of responsibility.