Getting active both physically and mentally is vital year-round. However, summer is an especially great time for kids to try a new activity or learn a skill. Whether it’s taking an art class, playing a sport, or trying new recipes, there are many ways to encourage physical activity, learning, and creativity among children.
Why It’s Important for Kids to Stay Active in the Summer
Why do kids need to be active during summer? Engaging your kids in fun summer activities is an excellent way to prepare them socially, physically, and mentally for the upcoming school year — and life in general. Let’s explore these benefits more in detail.
Social Benefits
Getting children involved with summer activities allows them to listen to others, ask questions, express feelings, and observe social cues. By participating in activities with other kids, they can build conversational skills and learn about social interaction.
Physical and Mental Health Benefits
With outdoor activities like swimming, hiking, riding bikes, or playing sports, children experience various physical health benefits. This includes strength development, coordination, reflexes, and muscle control.
Additionally, kids are happier when they can develop and cultivate relationships with others. Spending time outdoors and engaging in physical activity can help relieve stress, boost confidence and self-esteem, improve brain function, and help kids sleep better at night. This means summer activities are a great way to promote good mental health in kids.
Fun Summer Activities for Kids
Looking for fun ways to stay active in the summer and keep the kids occupied? Browse our list for plenty of activities to enjoy this summer.
1. Serve the Community
While summer is a great time to enjoy fun activities, it’s also an opportunity to develop empathy, ambition, compassion, and respect for the community. It’s never too early for kids to start growing in these areas, and community service is an excellent way to do so.
Whether it’s cleaning up a local park, sending cards or crafts to hospital patients, or participating in a canned food drive, kids can make a positive difference in their community in many ways.
2. Spend a Day in the Park
Visiting a local park is an excellent opportunity for kids to enjoy the outdoors and connect with nature. It’s also perfect for spending much-needed quality time with your child. For a fun summer memory, grab a blanket and a picnic basket and have lunch in the park together. Riding bikes or walking the dog are fun park activities as well.
3. Find a Hiking Trail
With a wide variety of state parks in Pennsylvania, you’re sure to find great hiking trails to explore this summer. Grab some comfortable walking shoes, bug spray, and plenty of snacks and water and hit the trails together.
4. Learn Creative Arts
Encourage your child to get creative this summer by participating in artsy activities to enrich the mind. Whether it’s writing stories and poems, putting on a play or music performance, reading books together, or making fun crafts, there are many ways to teach them the value of creative arts.
5. Have a Backyard Adventure
You don’t always have to leave home to find an enjoyable summer activity. You’ll find there are endless memories waiting to be made right in your backyard. Cool off with a sprinkler or mini pool, teach your kids how to garden, or build a bonfire to make s’mores. Invite their friends over to join in the fun as well!
6. Find a Local Day Camp
Enrolling your child in a local day camp is a great way to occupy them with fun summer activities, especially if you work and can’t always be home during the day. There are many types of day camps to consider — like sports, swimming, theater, and faith-based camps — so you’re sure to find one they’ll enjoy.
7. Take Summer Classes
Education doesn’t stop when the school year is over. Summer is the perfect time to learn a new skill. Here are some ideas for summer classes to teach kids new activities:
- Swimming
- Dance or gymnastics
- Creative writing or poetry
- Singing or learning a new instrument
- Knitting or sewing
- Painting or drawing
- Science or math
- Computer programming
8. Visit Fairs and Carnivals
Visiting a county fair or carnival is sure to create unforgettable memories this summer. With many rides, games, food vendors, and prizes to enjoy, kids will love this activity. Hop online and see if there are any upcoming fairs, carnivals, or festivals in the area.
9. Learn Cooking and Baking Skills
If your child is passionate about trying and making new foods, developing their cooking and baking skills is a great summer activity. Pick up a cookbook so they can learn some fun new recipes this summer.
10. Visit Museums and Historical Sites
Visiting one of Pennsylvania’s historic sites is an incredible educational experience for your child. Whether it’s visiting Harrisburg’s State Museum of Pennsylvania or President James Buchanan’s birthplace, kids can learn the value of history with these fascinating sites.
11. Have an Outdoor Movie Night
A movie under the stars is a fun and unique summer memory for your whole family to treasure. While many parks and community groups offer outdoor movie nights, you can also create your own at home. Grab a projector, some popcorn, blankets, folding chairs, and a good film for the ultimate summer movie night.
12. Go Camping for a Weekend
A family camping trip is an excellent reward for your child after their hard work during the school year. Pack the car with snacks, tents, sleeping bags, flashlights, and other camping equipment and spend the weekend roughing it in the woods.
13. Try Water Activities
Last but not least, there’s no better way to enjoy the warm weather than by cooling off with some thrilling water activities. Plus, swimming provides various health benefits, like strengthening the heart and muscles, building endurance, alleviating stress, and improving balance and coordination.
Whether it’s visiting a local swimming pool, river, or lake, your child can enjoy many water activities, such as:
- Swimming
- Kayaking
- Canoeing
- Paddleboarding
- Boating
- Fishing
Keep Your Student Learning Throughout the Year With CCA
Encouraging a healthy lifestyle is important to help kids thrive mentally, socially, and physically. At Commonwealth Charter Academy, we understand the significance of fitness and activity throughout the year. That’s why our personalized approach to learning aims to help students find their unique interests, master skills at their own pace, and take advantage of learning opportunities in and out of the classroom.
With CCA’s efforts to help students grow and learn year-round, your child can pursue activities that build strength and character. Find out more about how your child can thrive in our learning environment today.
