Entertain the Kids Before Back-to-School
Summer is winding down, and for many children, the school year is about to begin. By this point, it’s easy to run out of exciting ways to entertain your little ones. Here are a few of our favorite summer activities for kids, plus some info about why you should opt outside.
5 Reasons to Get Outside
In an article for Harvard Health, Dr. Claire McCarthy offers a list of reasons for increased outdoor time for kids. 1 “Here’s something really simple you can do to improve your child’s chance of future health and success,” she writes. “Make sure he spends plenty of time playing outside.” Temperatures may be climbing, but Dr. McCarthy is right—research shows that time spent outside is beneficial for your child’s health and development. Here’s why.
- Sun exposure increases vitamin D production, regulates sleep cycles, and improves mood.
- Children need at least one hour of physical activity every day. Running around outdoors is an easy way to ensure your child gets the exercise they need.
- Outdoor play encourages healthy risk-taking, like climbing trees and encountering new plants and animals.
- Unstructured outdoor time with other kids promotes the development of strong social skills.
- Spending time in nature stimulates creativity and problem-solving. Kids playing alone or with others will use this time to plan, come up with games, troubleshoot, and entertain themselves.
With these goals in mind, here are a few ways to set your son or daughter up for success this summer.
Beat the Summer Heat
Many parents are hesitant to let their littles run around when it’s this hot out. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to beat the heat and still have some summer fun! Water-based activities make outdoor play a lot more palatable when temperatures start to climb. Consider putting together a slip-and-slide, setting up the sprinkler, or filling a small pool if you’re looking for at-home entertainment. If you’re up for a drive, you can always pay a visit to the local pool or your nearest lake. Older children may enjoy kayaking, tubing, or participating in water balloon fights.
Try Ziplining
Older children also love ziplining. We’ve found that this is the perfect memory-making activity for kids over the age of eight. Ziplining encourages children, pre-teens, and teenagers to try something new, follow instructions, and get out of their comfort zones. It’s also a great way for kids to experience an adrenaline rush.
Benefits of ziplining include:
- Empowering kids to overcome their fears
- Engaging in age-appropriate adventures
- Improving their self-esteem
- Building strong bonds with others
- Feeling a sense of accomplishment
At Adventureworks, we provide ziplining experiences tailored to every age and skill level. We love making these adventures accessible to families and groups. Our staff members are excellent with kids; thanks to their thorough training, they’re experts at talking each guest through the process, building excitement, and monitoring safety for everyone involved.
“Our kids had an awesome time ziplining as part of a birthday party! I felt confident that all safety procedures were followed and prioritized. The park is perfectly tucked back from the road, giving you a true nature experience. We will definitely be back!”
– Hillary, Adventureworks Guest
*Please note that ziplining is recommended only for children over the age of 8.
Explore Your Neighborhood
You can always find adventure in your own backyard! Curious kids love looking at everyday places in new ways. Consider exploring the neighborhood with your child, creating a map of unique landmarks along the way. You can also provide them with extra materials like a compass, magnifying glass, or “critter catcher” (a mesh cage perfect for housing any creepy-crawlies you find along the way).
Here are a few other ideas for finding fun in your neighborhood:
- Create an obstacle course
- Document and identify leaves, flowers, and bugs
- Stargaze and point out constellations
- Catch fireflies (and let them go!)
- Camp in the backyard or at a friend’s house
- Blow bubbles
- Draw with chalk
- Plant a wildflower garden
- Dance to music on the lawn
- Watch the clouds together
Have an Adventurous Summer
If you’re looking to make some memories this summer, pay us a visit. At Adventureworks, we believe in empowering each of our guests with tailored, age-appropriate adventures. Our goal is for everyone to leave better than they came, and our motto is “Do good, work smart, live well, laugh often.” Your kids won’t stop talking about the time they “flew” through the trees on our zipline. Check out our locations page to find an Adventureworks park near you.
References:
McCarthy, C. (2020, October 27). 6 Reasons Children Need to Play Outside. Harvard Health. Retrieved June 16, 2022, from https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/6-reasons-children-need-to-play-outside-2018052213880
