Ideas to keep my kids "entertained" and "active" this summer?

Question

I have a 9 year old and a 16 year old (boys). Making a list of things I can do with them which will keep them out from in front of the tv ALL DAY LONG.

Answer 1

I personally like sports camps.  My son plays sports usually all year round during the school year so we use the summer to keep his skills up.  Maybe you can make a list of things they find interesting and make "field trips".  For instance if one is interested in snakes take him to the reptile house at the zoo.  If you are a member of a pool maybe set aside a couple of days during the week to take them there.  Of course...I have to assume the 16 year old will kinda make his own schedule in some ways.  Have you asked them what sounds good for the summer?

Answer 2

My kids are a little younger, but I have also been looking for a way to keep our summer spent a little more . . . productively ;-)  I saw a good idea in a magazine that I'm hoping to use.  At the beginning of summer, make a list of all the things you would each like to do over the summer - include big things (spend a weekend at the beach) and small things (go to the farmers market or reorganize bedroom).  Each day of the summer, make sure you do at least one of the things off your list.  I was also considering making a "Mama I'm Bored" list of ideas for them to do when they can't seem to entertain themselves.  Day camps and things like that are nice, but summer is time to get extra time together, too.

Answer 3

you can send them to sports camp. or you can drive them around the places in your state. stuff that they have never seen or done before may peek their intrest and will  keep them entertained.

Answer 4

MYSPACE!

its my favorite (:

Answer 5

Go to the beach around 7 or 8 and play frisbee, let them go surfing, ( Evening time), Go for Bike rides...

Answer 6

I am putting my 6 yr old in vacation bible school...its free, we cook together, we go for walks, we are going to go to 6 flags this summer, library trips, go to a firestation/ police station ask for a tour, the park, water sprinkler, museums, zoos, um....other than that??? still unsure.

Answer 7

If your kids like to have fun and play with other kids you should take them to a community center. I just bet they'll love it.

Answer 8

I don't know about 16-year-olds (though I'm guessing at that age you just put them together with some friends) but with a 9-year-old you just tell them to go play outside!

playdates; swimming; biking; roller blading; soccer or other sports; skateboarding; pogo stick; rock climbing at the Y; family vacation to another destination; camp, swim lessons, swim team, or other organized activities; learning an instrument; reading books; doing cooking projects; doing science projects; going for nature walks; exploring local attractions (museums, zoos, historical sites, whatever); camping; setting up a tent in the back yard and mini-camping; playing board games; doing puzzles; encouraging writing (journal or stories); building things (helping a parent build a deck or a treehouse or refinish the basement or whatever, or building small things like a birdhouse, or painting their rooms, or learning to change a tire, whatever....); if you don't have one, consider getting a pet for them to play with/ take care of