Summer is here!  Let’s manage it!

The kids are home from school.  There’s free time.

What to do with that free time?

I’m always trying to share ideas that help children and families with language and management.

What about having dedicated days like this calendar suggests?

I saw several great posts from boysmoms_unite from Sammamish, Washington.  This calendar is a super simple idea!  It gives some structure to the summer days.  But doesn’t  plan every moment…for children need unstructured time.

Children can be part of the planning.  Explain the way you plan to structure the week. Have times when you meet and collect ideas.  Write down the suggestions. You might still hear “I’m bored” but having free time is how children learn to entertain themselves.

Here’s a list of  fun, free, or cheap places to go this summer when you need to leave the house:

💦  Splash pads – they’re popping up more and more in neighborhoods.  Grab a towel and take your lunch.

📚  Library – do the summer reading program.  Grab a basket of books. Check out the special programs.

🐓  Farms – check out the animals or harvest food.  Search “farms in (your area)” or “pick blueberries in (your area)”.

🌲  Hikes – search “kid friendly hikes in (your area)”.  Places will pop up!  Or go to neighborhood parks.  Some parks border creeks and are great places for searching for bugs or ducklings.  Or search for state parks in your area.

📽  Summer movies – check out the local dollar movies in your area.  They will have summer movies.

🎠  Mall play places – some of these are gross but if you have a toddler, you can’t beat a good indoor place to play on a really hot day.

⛱  Beaches and pools – if you are lucky enough to live in a place with beaches and lakes nearby, you can try a few every summer.  If you are landlocked, find a local pool and go swimming.

🚲  Scooters and bikes –  Take these with you to any park to experience a fresh place to ride.

Summer is here!  Manage it with a simple plan.  Dedicated days.