5 Great Summer Ideas To Keep The Kids Busy And Outside

The weather’s hotter. The days are longer. The bugs are louder. Yep, it’s official. Summer’s on the way.

While everyone’s excited for the days by the pool, the cool lemonades on the patio, and the bonfires at the cottage, it’s inevitable that as soon as school gets out, you’ll be hearing that oh-so-common phrase; “I’m bored!”

There’s a way to prepare for this moment… Prepare things to keep your little ones busy! Summer brings so many opportunities to you and your family to get outside and enjoy the nice weather, so here are some great ideas to keep everybody busy in the warm months ahead.

Idea # 1: Pack for days at the beach or weekends at the cottage ahead of time for spontaneous getaways

·                            Have a “not-so-last-minute” checklist ready on the fridge to remind you that you can spend the day away from home with the family without forgetting the essentials

o                                               Check out this already-made checklist to make things easier! 

o                                               Put the beach toys in a plastic bag or a giant bucket so you can easily grab and go when the time comes

o                                               Pack away a couple of outfits for each person in your family, along with the necessary items like toothbrushes, shampoo, and bug spray in a suitcase, and make sure to go camping or to a cottage to take advantage of it by the end of the summer!

 

Idea # 2:  Throw a neighbourhood party!

·                            All the kids in the neighbourhood will love this one, whether you’re in Vaughan or Kamloops… String together some fun obstacle courses and invite your children’s friends over to get active and share some laughs!

o                                               Here’s some great pointers on how to set it up

·                            Have a scavenger hunt party! This can be done easily by making a list of some fun things like “3 ladybugs” or “a coin from before 1970” and making teams of little ones in the neighbourhood… the winners can have first pick from the popsicles as a cool-down after all the fun!

 Idea # 3: Have everyone in your family teach each other a new sport

·                            Start this one off at the beginning of the summer and find new sports that nobody in your family knows how to play and record when each person is to teach everyone how to play it

·                            You can help your children learn these new sports by taking them to the library or searching online with them

·                            They’ll love teaching you about their new games, which are sure to bring many laughs from everybody!

o                                               Check out these ideas for some funky new games to share with your family!

 Idea # 4: Have a backyard movie theatre

·                            It’s as easy as 1-2-3! Tie a string between two trees or along a fence in your backyard and hang a sheet over it. Many places in your local area provide projector rentals for cheap costs… throw on a great summer flick and enjoy the movie outside with some homemade popcorn under the stars!

o                                               Check out these top 20 summer movies of all time

 Idea # 5: Swim, swim, swim!

·                            Whether it’s the ocean, the backyard pool, or a simple trip to Wasaga, getting your kids outside to enjoy the water has some great health benefits! Swimming provides your family with cardio and strengthening exercises as well as many more, and it’s a fun way to cool off at the same time!

·                            Make sure you have set rules and guidelines for a fun summer of swimming fun, it’s important that everybody understands water safety… Check out these guidelines for how to keep your summer swimming safe! (Say that 5 times fast!)

There you have it, 5 fun-filled ways to avoid those two words that pop up every summer. Lather on that sunscreen, throw on those hats, and head outdoors to enjoy the warm weather. There are so many different things you can do to keep busy, active, and healthy in the upcoming months and planning ahead will make it easier for you to have fun with the whole family!

Morgan Todd

I'm Morgan, a soon-to-be psychology and English literature graduate from Queen's University. I'm interested in all things social media, marketing, and deliciously scented candles. I love recommending things I adore to others. I've been told I'm a social butterfly. You can follow me on Twitter @MorganTodd_

Awesome Birthday Bash Parties
Nothing captures the magic of childhood better than a birthday party. This year, give your child a celebration they’ll never forget. The Little Gym birthday party places are the perfect way to make your child's big day extra special. Your group will have the whole place to yourselves with games, music and fun activities created especially for your birthday kid. Our trained instructors will lead all the fun and The Little Gym team will handle everything from setup to cleanup. That means you get to go home to a clean, quiet house free of icing and sprinkles ground into the carpet. Sounds like a wish come true? Inquire today at The Little Gym of London Sherwood Forest Mall 519-642-0660!
Raising a Citizen Kid!

Friendships provide children with so much more than just fun playmates! In fact, friends are essential for healthy psychological development. Many experts believe that a child’s ability to make friends is the single biggest predictor of their success later in life. Some even claim that it’s more important than IQ and grades.

 

Programs at The Little Gym are purposefully designed to help children become “Citizen Kids!” by improving their social and emotional development. Songs, games, and activities focus on listening, sharing, and taking turns. Experiential learning activities help foster creativity, allow friends to solve problems together, and let them pass on knowledge.

 

Throughout the Season, we have special themed weeks to celebrate your child’s friendships. Our next Bring a Friend Week will occur the week of February 18-24 in classes with space. Encourage your child to invite one of their friends to join them for this special occasion.

 

You can also invite a friend to join you for kids gym classes anytime during the Season. If you know someone that would love The Little Gym, invite them to register for an introductory class. You'll receive extra Member Milestones points and a $30 credit when your referral enrolls in a class, and they will receive a $30 credit as well! So share the smiles, fun and high 5's with people all around you. It's our way of saying thank you for spreading the word about The Little Gym!

Teaching Philosophy at The Little Gym

The best way to encourage children to try their best is with a smile. That’s why, surprisingly, our teaching philosophy is quite different from others. We challenge children to strive for success in a positive, nurturing environment. Each new accomplishment promotes confidence and each successful experience motivates them to try for the next. Our coaching style is noncompetitive, which means children are encouraged to strive for their personal best.

 

We're not the only ones who see the value of this approach. Major studies note the myriad benefits of early childhood physical development:

 

•Children with a high level of physical activity tend to remain highly active throughout adolescence. Starting early lays the foundation for a healthy lifestyle.

•Physically active pre-school children perform better in kindergarten and grade school. With age-appropriate exercises and group activities, The Little Gym provides a different context for learning.

•Children with more developed motor coordination have a lower incidence of social and educational problems. By combining physical development with activities that promote sharing, listening and friendship, The Little Gym sets the stage for critical life skills.

•Positive feedback tends to increase children's intrinsic motivation, having long-term benefits on their self-confidence and willingness to embrace challenges.

•Our positive, noncompetitive environment triggers children’s natural drive to discover their own potential.

 

The Little Gym of London offers Gymnastics, Dance and Sports Skills classes as well as Parent and Child Programs from ages 4 months to 12 years old.

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Ahhh…The Fearful Child

We have all had it…the child who is afraid to leave moms side…the one that won’t peel away from the wall.  It makes us question.  Is this fear normal?  What can we do about it?

 

According to the article “Is It ‘Normal’ for Children to Be Afraid?” by Karen M. Carlson, M.Ed., fear is a normal emotion.  “It’s nature’s way of alerting us to react to danger, and helps protect us from threatening situations.”  A child experiences many fears because his world is always expanding and changing.  Children spend much time learning to cope with the unfamiliar and it is difficult for them to distinguish between reality and fantasy.

 

Studies show that young toddlers fear things such as loud noises and strangers.  However, as they age those things become less fearful and the imagination takes over.  Children between the ages of 3 and 6 fear things such as death, the dark, ridicule, robbers, and “monsters.”

 

The following are things that Carlson suggests can be done to help kids work through their fears:

 

  • Don’t Laugh at Children’s Fears.  It will not diminish the fear…only the child’s confidence.
  • Don’t Ignore Children’s Fears.  This may make them feel like they have to deal with it all alone.  Give the child reassurance.
  • Don’t Force Children in Situations They Fear.  Shock method rarely works.  Give him or her time to adjust to the fearful situation.
  • Don’t Lie to Children About Their Fears.  Truthfulness can help children manage their fear.
  • Don’t Transmit Personal Fears to Children.  A child will readily adopt the fears of those around them.
  • Accept Children’s Fears as Real.  Acknowledging the fear lets children know that it is OK to have and to express fear.
  • Help Children Broaden the Range of Their Coping Skills.  If children feel they have some control over the ways they react, they gain feelings of competence and self-confidence.
  • Let Children See Other People Interact Confidently with the Situations They Fear. 
  • Adjust Your Expectations to Fit the Child’s Age.  If you have appropriate developmental expectations a child, some of the fears will be avoided all together.

Source: Dr. Donald Carlson PhD, Frederick MD

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