School’s out for the summer, and children everywhere are excited to spend time away from their studies. While good times and fun in the sun are surely on the agenda, there comes a time when a dreaded statement will be uttered… “I’m bored.” You could put on a movie or send the kids outside, but you have a better idea. Help your kids make the most of their summer by teaching them a lifelong lesson in generosity and giving back. Check out these ways you can do good and beat the summer boredom after they’ve done it all. Give back and make it a family affair!
Make Cards for a Local Nursing Home or Hospital
This is an activity that will give arts and crafts a whole new meaning. The pandemic has been hard on everyone, but those in nursing homes and hospitals experienced extreme hardship. You may not be able to visit nursing homes or hospitals just yet, depending on the area where you live. However, you can still spread joy! Ask your children to help make appreciation cards to give to these local communities. If you’re able, hand deliver the cards so that your children can get an up-close view of the people they are helping.
Help Out a Neighbor
While younger children may enjoy arts and crafts, the older ones may be more able to help out with bigger tasks. Some kids may be old enough to help do yard work, like mowing or trimming bushes. Have your children help out a neighbor in need. Plus, due to the pandemic some elderly neighbors may not feel comfortable venturing out to stores for their normal errands. Consider taking your children on a trip to fulfill a list of errands for your neighbors.
Think Ahead to Colder Weather
The weather might be scorching now, but it won’t stay that way year-round. Colder months are still ahead and they fly faster than you think. Since your kids have free time now, give them an indoor activity that could help out other families later. Go to your local craft store. and buy some fleece fabric to make tie-blankets to hand out to those who may need them when the temperature drops.
Likewise, use this as a time to go through winter clothes that your children may not need and donate them. You can either donate the gently good items now, or set them aside for when colder weather comes. That way, they do the sorting work now but get to keep giving back year-round.
Get Busy in the Kitchen
During the summertime, many children do not have access to meals they would have ordinarily received through school assistance or aid. Find an organization or school system that helps supplement meals for those who may not be able to afford it otherwise. Invite over a family in need and double up by getting your children involved with cooking in the kitchen. Not only will this help out a family in need, but it will help your kids learn at an early age about the benefits of giving back.
While summer is a time of fun, it can also be a time to help mold amazing qualities, like giving back to the community. Ask your children to choose an activity that also gives back. Kids are more intuitive and creative than we often give them credit for, so ask them to come up with an activity that does good for the community and prepare to be amazed.
