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Month: June 2022

20 Best Summer Activities for Kids

Summer’s finally here, school is out and it’s time to have some serious fun! Get the sunscreen out, the shades on and put your brain on fun mode, because we have a list of the coolest summer activities for the family. 

20 Best Summer Activities:

kids dancing with momGroove Fest: Nothing beats dancing and singing to summertime beats. So, turn up the volume to this refreshing summertime song. Remember, it’s summertime and every day should feel real good!  

Coloring: Coloring is a fun sensory activity for kids. You can have fun with crayons and coloring books or printables. Finish off each coloring activity with this color song for added learning around the different types of colors.
Arts and Crafts: DIY some simple and easy craft projects. Whether it’s making origami, painting, drawing or any other easy arts and crafts ideas, they keep the kiddos entertained. It’s also great fun for the entire family.
Organize a Scavenger Hunt: Hide different items with the goal of rewarding whoever finds them. You can use different physical items or this fun and free scavenger hunts printable.
Storytelling Activity: Allow them to imagine and narrate their own stories. You can also use story prompts, puppets or family pictures to help them with their story’s characters and dialogue. Here are 15 fun storytelling activities you can try with the kids.
bike ride through forestHost a Bike Ride With Music: Have your kids decorate their bikes, helmets and knee pads. You can also invite the neighborhood kids to join in. Have them go round the neighborhood on their bikes. Pick a simple route with minimal traffic and have adults around for supervision. 
Enjoy Nature: Have access to public parks, gardens, or live in a rural area with plenty of natural resources? You can get the kids to explore and engage with the natural world. From nature walks, bird watching to searching for wildlife, plants or colorful leaves, you and the kids can enjoy these simple and fun nature activities.
Outdoor Games: Get your kids to go out and play with friends in the neighborhood. You can also join in helping them choose from outdoor activities such as a game of catch, soccer, lawn games, double dutch and many others. But don’t forget the sunscreen!
Explore Local Sites: Summer is the perfect time to explore local sites around you. You can go with the kids to local diners, garage sales, historic sites, farmers’ markets, parks and many other fun local places around you.

tie-dye project

Tie-Dye Projects: Getting the kids to engage in tie-dye projects is a fun way of keeping the kids busy and creative. Whether it’s an old white tee, bag, shoe or even tank, they make a perfect tie-dye material. For coloring, the kids can use markers, spray paints, or this complete tie-dye kit to create a tie- dye on any white item of your choice.
Plan Movie Nights: Plan an evening out for a kid-friendly movie night. You or the kids can choose the movie. Turn your living room or backyard into a theatre. Grab some snacks, get comfy and enjoy the movie!
Good ol’ Hide and Seek: You can do this pretty much anywhere – indoors or outdoors. The idea of the game is one person closes his or her eyes and counts to 10 while the others hide. After counting, he or she goes to find those hiding. This is a classic game that brings out the giggles.
Build Sandcastles: Got sand in your backyard? Cool! Simply dampen the sand with water and fill up a bucket. Flip it over and make your castle. If not, go to the beach and have fun in the sun!
little girl at beach
Try Out Dice Games: Dice games are fun and versatile. Asides from being easily accessible and inexpensive, they are very educational. If you don’t have a dice at home, you can always make a paper dice. Check out this video for steps on how to make paper dice at home.
Playdough Fun: Get crafty with some playdough. Encourage them to make any item or shape that they like. It helps to keep kids creative and excited. This 10-pack case of color playdough is perfect for kids to have fun with.
Try Backyard Camping: Got a backyard? Perfect! Give your kids a nice and cozy camping experience right in your backyard! Time to pitch up a tent. You can also get out the grill or make a fire pit for some delicious BBQ.
Experiment Recipes:  Pick out a few fun recipes with the kids. It could be as easy as grilled cheese or cooking your favourite family meal together. In addition to teaching them culinary skills, you’ll be building their self-confidence and healthy eating habits.
Organize Sleepovers: Sleepovers can be a blast for kids. Talk to parents of your child’s friends and invite them for a sleepover. Get the snacks ready and make the room cozy! Allow them to choose any fun activity of their choice. Sleepovers build confidence and friendship among kids.
Doodle Arts: Get kids to doodle their favorite characters or objects on a plain paper or cardboard. Let their imagination go crazy! Doodling builds imaginative and cognitive skills.
stargazing with telescopeGo Stargazing: Set up a nighttime tent, borrow binoculars or telescopes and gaze into the sky. Lastly, grab a journal or book for noting celestial bodies. You can do this right in your backyard!

We hope you enjoy our list of summer activities. Keep the kids active and healthy, and remember to enjoy yourself during the summer too!

Friendship For Kids

As the world becomes more connected through social media, it is vital to nurture  the physical connection of friendships. Friendship  plays an important part in a child’s social development. We can help kids understand the value of friendship and show them ways they can build friendships.

Here are five fun ways to help kids begin connecting and building friendships:

girls sharing toy

Teaching the Value of Sharing

Whether it’s sharing toys or allowing friends to take turns in a conversation, it’s important to help kids understand  the value in sharing. Teaching kids that sharing is far better than being alone is one step parents can take. Likewise, kids learn by example and we must constantly practice the act of sharing and caring through modeling.

 Imaginary Play

Set up a make-believe scenario with your child’s favorite toy. The toy will serve as the imaginary “new” friend. Encourage your child to introduce him or herself to the toy and find out the toy’s name, favorite foods and colors, and games. Pretend play helps your child learn and what a real-life friendship is. Imaginary play also builds  confidence and independence.

3 kids doing yoga

Extracurricular Social Activities

Get your child involved in extracurricular activities.  Enroll them in sports, hobby groups or after-school activities.  Extracurricular activities allow children to find friends who share similar interests. These activities can be a catalyst for  building new connections.

Tap into creative learning

Puzzles, coloring activities, and even music can teach friendship building skills. Kids often learn faster by modeling actions they hear and see. Our super-catchy KidNation song, “Good Friends”, teaches kids the importance of ‘homies that keep it real’.  Because, isn’t that what life is about? 

The Compliment Game

The Compliment Game is a game you can play to boost your child’s social skills. You and your child  take turns giving each other compliments. You can commend them on “a job well done” or remind them of how kind they acted towards their friends. Acknowledging the good actions of others and showing appreciation can help start meaningful conversations.

group of kid friends on a field

All in All

In short, parents influence the social development of their child. Encourage your child to speak with a classmate they may not know or compliment them. Meaningful friendships keep life vibrant and fulfill our need to connect.

Butterflies Lesson Plan

Objective: Talking about what to do when we get nervous

Takeaway: It’s okay to be nervous; we can practice to become better!

Time: 30 minutes

Grade level: K-2

 

Downloadable Lesson (with worksheet)

Fillable Worksheet

 

Tags: emotional wellness, writing, language arts, confidence, positivity 

Caught in the Middle Lesson Plan

Objective: Talking about siblings and family dynamics

Takeaway: Whether you’re an only child or have siblings, everyone has strengths and struggles

Time: 30 minutes

Grade level: K-2

 

Downloadable Lesson (with worksheet)

Fillable Worksheet

 

Tags: family, understanding, drawing, identity, differences, art

Good Grades Lesson Plan

Objective: Aiming to get good grades in your courses

Takeaway: Aim to do your best, and ask for help if you don’t understand concepts.

Time: 30 minutes

Grade level: 3-5

 

Downloadable Lesson (with worksheet)

Fillable Worksheet

 

Tags: education, school, studying, personal success

Vote Lesson Plan

Objective: Learning why voting is important

Takeaway: Voting is an important activity to participate in

Time: 30 minutes

Grade level: 3-5

 

Downloadable Lesson (with worksheet)

Fillable Worksheet

 

Tags: education, voting, elections, politics, government, civics, social studies, writing, learning

Try Lesson Plan

Objective: Learning to try even if you might fail

Takeaway: It’s okay to try something that might not work out.

Time: 30 minutes

Grade level: K-2

 

Downloadable Lesson (with worksheet)

Fillable Worksheet

 

Tags: personal success, risk-taking, confidence, mental health, encouragement, writing

USA Lesson Plan

Objective: Learning basic facts about the USA

Takeaway: There are many different places in the United States

Time: 30 minutes

Grade level: K-2

 

Downloadable Lesson (with worksheet)

Fillable Worksheet

 

Tags: education, geography, places, travel, writing, planning, drawing

Playground Lesson Plan

Objective: Talking about playing on a playground

Takeaway: Playgrounds can be fun! Look for ways to include your classmates

Time: 30 minutes

Grade level: K-2

 

Downloadable Lesson (with worksheet)

Fillable Worksheet

 

Tags: playground, friendship, fun, games, activities, emotions, reflections, writing, journaling

H2O Lesson Plan

Objective: Developing healthy eating and drinking habits

Takeaway: Make sure that you’re making healthy choices when picking foods and drinks

Time: 30 minutes

Grade level: 3-5

 

Downloadable Lesson (with worksheet)

Fillable Worksheet

 

Tags: food and drink, health, fitness, well-being, nutrition

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