Summer Break...What do you do?

Question

I have a 5 year old (almost 6) and a 16 month old.

I babysit most days of the week until 3pm.

I would really like to do some things w/ my 5 year old so she doesnt sit in front of the TV or computer ALL day. I live in Florida and it is STEAMING hot nowadays, so going out during the day is not an option.

I have looked into summer camps in my area, and am unable to go by the schedule. WHat activities do you guys do with your kids at home during summer?? Please give me some ideas, I would love to hear all. Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Teach her to cook and bake but you need to do the tricky parts like cutting.

Answer 2

ha ha tv is so easy isnt it.

what i do is try and make a plan at breakfast so we are not just hanging out all day waiting for something to happen.

we will go to the library and then have a reading time.

or go to the market and buy ingredients to make a special treat.

or even color some pictures for an art show.

and most of all to avoid the TV trap we will plan what we will watch and when we will watch it.

and in a pinch i cheat and use a lot of the ideas on this site

http://www.todayisfun.com

they are all very simple and don't cost any money.

and very creative. they email me new ideas every day.

Good luck, and have fun!

Tina S.

Answer 3

Crafts, board games, go swimming, run thru the sprinkler, coloring books, mumeums, aquariums, zoo

Answer 4

I am not a mom but last year I was an in home nanny.  The children I nannied for were not allowed to play video games at all or watch tv.  Here are some ideas (of course my kids were a bit older but you could make it work)

Make a schedule for each day: wake up, breakfast, then while it is still cool out in the morning play outside (if you have a pool go swimming), let the kids do what they want as far as playing outside (mornings and evenings can be spent outside because it is cooler out.  The middle of the day though is where you need some help.

We did something called a coutnry a week: each week during the afternoon when it was too hot to play outside or swim we learn about a country.  Monday we would go to the library and get lots of books (kids) about that country.  

Tuesday we would read the books and get a basic understanding of the country

Wenesday we would Dress up and do a craft from that country

Thursday we would make a meal from that country

friday we would learn one way we could help people in that country.  

The children had a lot of fun and learned a lot about different cultures.  they also made some pen pal friends and aided in some of the crisises happening in those countries.  

I realize that your kids are younger but you could do something along those lines...that way while your child is out of school they are still learning but having a fun time doing it!

good luck and don't give up!

Answer 5

Art and crafts! You guys can make beaded bracelets and necklaces. You guys can paint nails. Buy her some coloring books so she can color. She can draw too!