The five things your kid needs to do this summer

And just like that, summer is upon you! Now you have a houseful of kids who have lots of unstructured time, and you still have work and responsibilities to maintain. What to do! Catholic Online has your solution with this top 5 list of summer activities for you to keep your kids occupied, and learning during the summer.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - These days, kids do pretty well finding ways to occupy themselves. And while fewer kids run the streets as did years ago, they actually do the same today, just virtually on the internet. It is a common thing for kids to ask for video games and other expensive toys, and busy parents typically acquiesce being more interested in preserving their sanity. After all, uncle X-Box can keep a kid out of your hair for days. Unfortunately, the solution is also the problem. 

So what is a parent to do? Here are some great ideas for Catholic families. 

5. Summer reading - Nobody's saying Johnny can't play his video games, but as with all things, moderation is key. Summer reading is a great way to keep kids occupied and focused on learning. Start with your home library, or if you don't have books handy, visit the local library. If you have the money to spend, the bookstore also has the latest and greatest for kids of all ages and can make good recommendations. You can also network with local families to borrow and exchange books. Your local parish may also have a few books available. 

Perhaps the best idea would be to call your local Catholic school, even if your child isn't enrolled there. Ask for their summer reading list, or look for one online. That reading list will have books that are properly vetted, age appropriate, and popular with kids. Books on such lists are widely and cheaply available online and in bookstores. 

Set a schedule, and if you can, read the book along with your child. Books suggested by the school will commonly feature topics worth discussing and the conversations you enjoy with your child will provide a chance to bond over ice cream and sodas on the porch. 

There's no law however that says the reading has to be intense. Summer reading should be enjoyable and if done right, your child will look forward to it. Make sure the books are interesting to your child, which is very important. Even kids that don't care to read will still read if you find something that interests them. Be patient and keep trying. This is a great time to let them explore their natural interests and to discover new ones. Simply allowing your child to discover the joy of browsing in the library or bookstore will create a fond and lasting memory and help them to associate reading with fun. 

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4. Videos - In addition to reading, watching videos can be a great way to buy downtime from your kids. Of course, every family is familiar with using the TV as a babysitter, and from time to time it can really allow you to get things done and preserve your sanity. But television content is widely varied and it's easy to let kids get hooked on hours and hours of Disney or Nickelodeon without picking up anything of substance except an instable desire for the latest fashion or toy. 

The good news is, you can control what they watch. Catholic videos as well as various educational media is widely available. PBS, National Geographic, as well as several channels featuring documentaries have content that is (normally) suitable for children. Although in all cases, you should screen the content in advance. 

Again, networking with other parents and your parish church is a good idea. Local libraries also offer media in various forms for check out. 

Study guides and other supplemental materials can sometimes be found online for some educational videos. View this as a chance to learn alongside your child and you'll be on the right track. 

3. Sports activities - Naturally, summertime is a great time to get the kids out of the house altogether and outside where they can get some physical exercise. Too many kids struggle with sedentary lifestyles facilitated by videogames and television. The end result is never positive. 

To keep your kid healthy, active, and occupied, sports are a great idea. Many communities offer outdoor activities for kids, typically through local parks. Sports leagues offer signups early in the summer, and swimming lessons are also popular. 

If you don't want to join a league or commit to a regular schedule, encourage your child to simply play outside. Whether it's practicing hoops in the driveway, pitching baseballs through a tire, or even playing at the park, nearly all outdoor activity is good activity. Make sure your child is supervised, or if older at least knows to check in on a schedule and remain in a safe area with familiar people. In any case, get your kid outside for some play, everyday.

2. Field trips - There's a lot to do out there, no matter where you live. Field trips are a great way to get your kid out of the house and into something that's fun, and above all, educational. 

A field trip can be as simple as a nature walk, or a visit to the local parish for a self-guided tour, or one provided by a priest or active parishioner. Alternatively, field trips can be more sophisticated with a lengthier drive to a museum or point of historical interest. Even an amusement park is a worthy activity for a special occasion. Other excursions can also include volunteer work, such as feeding the homeless, participating in a neighborhood or highway clean up, or helping a neighbor in need. 

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Field trips don't always have to take up all your time either. For the parent who is always busy, networking with other families can provide a solution. Busy parents can take turns chaperoning children on various excursions, giving a break to other parents in turn. Some local organizations have activities where your children can engage the community while properly chaperoned, and you need not always be present. Such activities include summer catechism classes and camps, especially church and Bible camps. 

Whether it's you and your child or a group of families, field trips can be the highlight of any summer vacation for your child. 

1. Arts and crafts - Arts and crafts are a wide-open and oft neglected opportunity for kids and parents. Parents are usually concerned about messes and expense and they doubt their own skills and creativity. Many kids these days are growing up without arts and crafts in school, or home economics and cooking classes, all victims of common educational cuts as schools place incredible emphasis on a narrow range of core competencies instead of ranging across a wider spectrum of practical knowledge. 

In other words, kids need to learn arts and crafts, and it's up to parents to teach them. 
Arts and crafts include virtually everything one can think of. Whether it's tinkering with one object or another, gardening, cooking, or creating something with materials gleaned from around the house, there is always something you can find to do. 

Local arts and craft stores provide low-cost classes for kids (and adults) who want to learn how to bake, knit, sew, arrange flowers, or create any number of neat and unusual objects. Books and the internet also provide patterns and instructions for any number of projects. Homemade science projects are also a smart choice. 

If your child enjoys music, music stores often provide lessons and instrument rentals.

The best part is that arts and crafts projects can keep children occupied and entertained for hours while teaching valuable skills. 

Summer vacation does not need to become a stressful time for parents. The kids are home from school, and with a little thought and planning you can keep them healthily engaged with a blend of activities all summer long without leaving them to the vagaries of the streets and the video game console. Just remember to set aside some time each day for fun learning activities and watch you and your child grow - soon you may find yourself looking forward to next summer as much as your kid! 

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Give these ideas a try. Tell us what works for you. Share your ideas and experiences below!

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