Most Denver-area schools are more than a month into summer vacation. My family has been busy visiting grandparents along with the and Colorado’s camp.
So my goal for July and August is to just breathe.
But, there is a catch: The novelty of summer break starts to wear off right about now. Add to that sweltering temperatures and sibling rivalries, and parents may be in need of a break from summer break.
The solution is to keep kids engaged. This will minimize conflicts and ensure that summer is a time for playful learning and hands-on experiences.
, recommends a daily summer schedule that includes fun learning activities you can go to, make, do, and play. Read more from Taylor at ImaginationSoup.net.
Here are several budget-friendly ideas for keeping kids busy and happy through the dog days of summer.
Go …
Visit a petting zoo to touch, see, and learn about farm animals. Try in Longmont ( ) or the in Englewood ).
Kids can discover different types of instruments and music during the season’s many free outdoor concerts. Such regular community events happen at Highland Heritage Regional Park in , outside the , at in downtown Denver, and at in Aurora — just to name a few.
Tour a real factory. The teaches kids about candy-making, history and science. hammonds candies.com or 303-333-5588, ext. 110
Go on a nature scavenger hunt in your yard or a park. Try finding something for every letter of the alphabet or every color.
Make …
Test to find the best one. Kids can write down their results in a science observation journal. One such recipe calls for 1 cup of distilled water, 2 tablespoons of Dawn dish soap, and 1 tablespoon glycerin.
Plant a garden. Then get kids to write or draw a garden journal that describes the plants each week of summer. If you haven’t yet started a garden, consider growing easy breezy sunflowers from seed, or starting cool season vegetables (like lettuce) in August.
, a wooden spoon (or two), and some twine. Here’s how: Parents cut holes in the sides of the bottle so the spoon(s) can be inserted horizontally with the bowl sticking out of one side and the handle sticking out the other side like a perch. Then, fill the bottle with birdseed, replace the cap, and use the twine to string up the new feeder. Kids can watch the birds visit and find them in a bird book.
Experiment with the properties of water. Try freezing water balloons. Once frozen, remove the latex to get a frozen globe. Add food coloring and salt and watch what happens.
Make your own music video. Mom or dad’s cellphone’s video feature is ideal for this. There’s also online.
Start a family blog on a site like or . Invite your relatives to read all about your summer vacation fun.
Do …
Go geocaching to discover orienteering and appreciate nature. Learn how at .
Keep “summer brain” at bay by participating in the summer reading program at your local public library. Parents can find a program by visiting the .
Take digital cameras on a walk. Photograph plants and animals and make your own nature guidebook.
Organize a kids summer book club with friends. Socializing with books is the best reading motivation.
Host a backyard summer London 2012 Olympics. Include a torch run, track and field events, gymnastics, and your own crazy water events.
Kids can find a pen pal through friends and family. Write each other letters (or e-mails) about your summer and where you live.
Play …
Create with cardboard boxes. Challenge kids to make a lemonade stand or a rocket ship from a box. How many things can they imagine?
Play a reading hopscotch game with letters or words. Jump on the letter, then say the sound. Or, jump on the word and read it. Think of your own game and try a different grid.
Do educational computer or iPad games. For suggestions, visit .
Kids can pretend to be scientists by experimenting with baking soda and vinegar. Add food coloring to the mix for extra fun.
Play store where everything costs a penny. Sell something from outside like rocks or flowers. This game is great for counting practice.
Amber Johnson is the editor of , a family travel writer and blogger. She can be reached at amber@milehighmamas.com or follow her at twitter.com/TheMileHighMama.
More free (or really cheap) summer family events…
Outdoor activities abound in Crested Butte, one of Colorado’s most gorgeous mountain resort communities. The town’s music festival happening through August 12 includes the weekly Divine Family Young People’s Concerts, a free event for kids ages 2-10.
Vail’s Saturday Afternoon Family Fun Club has free events through August 11 including face painting, obstacle course, hula hoop zone and Kids’ Science Discovery Zone. And from July 24 to August 11, the Vail Valley Foundation’s Vail International Dance Festival will host a series of performances and community events, including six free family-friendly events. Details at or .
• What kid wouldn’t love Keystone’s free Kidtopia Kids Fest, which continues July 28 and August 11? Enjoy a petting zoo, train rides, caricatures, face painter, balloon artist, midway games, spin art, bounce houses and much more. From 11 a.m. – 3p.m. at River Run Village.
• Colorado Springs just might be the freebie capital as parents can find 29 free things to do at visitcos.com. For instance, check out the city’s with interactive sport activities, Olympic athlete autograph sessions and a Children’s Gravity Play Area with inflatable slides, portable climbing walls and more (at no charge!)
• You may not think Aspen and affordable go together but the summer months will make you reconsider. Don’t miss the free Thursday evening outdoor concerts in Snowmass, the kid-magnet Dancing Fountain’s unpredictable vertical jets of water, or picnicking and hiking at the Grottos. Details at
Amber Johnson
Damage control
For parents who find their kids bouncing off the walls this summer, here are my top three tactics for dealing with my children’s minor clashes.
“Talk to the hand.” When the situation is completely ridiculous — such as when someone gets an extra 0.05-ounce of ice cream — I use this one. My kids still don’t understand what this means, and when they try to explain their predicament to an appendage, they get over it.
Ignorance is bliss. Or rather, ignoring can be bliss. I don’t acknowledge whining, and this is a stellar technique when they need to move on… quickly.
Redirect. This is my favorite method. Here’s an example:
“Mommmmy, Hadley is being (insert any number of crimes).”
“Don’t call me ‘Mommy.’ Call me ‘Daddy.'”
“Huh? OK, Daddy, I need help.”
“I’m not Daddy. You can find him downstairs.”
Amber Johnson
