Time to start thinking...about summer (activities)

You did it! You made it through one of the most wintery winters we've had here in a while. It's time to start pulling out shorts, think about swim suits and vacations, and yes, consider how to keep those kiddos busy all summer long.


And with so many summer programs getting ready for "sign up" time, you've got to think hard and fast.


There's so much to choose from in Edmond, that I find myself a little dazed as I think about all the options. Sports? Music? Swimming pool memberships? Art camp?


Sigh. And to think my childhood summer breaks used to consist of a pile of books, two siblings, and a overactive imagination to keep me busy.


Well, guess what? You certainly don't have to overdo it. The best thing is to find that happy medium between keeping the minds and bodies of your kids active while still enjoying the laid-back pace of the season.


Pre-K and younger...If your kiddos are in daycare, chances are the program already has some fun summer activities up their sleeve! But if your kids are home with you, that doesn't mean they can't participate in some group fun, and at this age, working on social skills throughout the summer is definitely a benefit when preschool or Pre-K starts in the fall. There are several Mothers Day Out Programs offered during the summer (see list of MDO programs here), but if the cost or your summer schedule is prohibitive, just scheduling a weekly playgroup can do the trick.


As for other activities, programs for preschoolers abound. Places like Oklahoma Gold Gymnastics, Arctic Edge, Soccer City, The Fine Arts Institute of Edmond, and the YMCA offer many fun, affordable options. And don't forget this is a great time to get your child water safe. For a list of swimming programs, click here.


For more on this topic, check back April 10.


For elementary school kids...This is a time where your child can explore different sports and creative outlets, and taking advantage of summer programs that give children that opportunity can give them something to call their own. Maybe you've explored several different sports, and your child now knows what he or she does or doesn't like (often related to what that kiddo feels good at doing). Week-long camps are a great way to immerse a kid in an activity, and weekly, summer-long programs can contribute to long-term development. For a list of some local programs, check back April 17.


For the older crowd...A kid has often become specialized by this time, so choosing an activity can be easier. Music and sport camps are often offered through the school system, ones that you may know about long before the summer gets here.


But finding programs isn't the only thing a pre-teen or teenager can get involved in. In fact, the summer is a perfect time to begin discovering interests and building up experience through summer jobs and volunteering. Many churches will be running Vacation Bible School programs and will need teenagers to help, and other charities will be happy to have a volunteer. And if kids pick something near and dear to their heart, they'll gain valuable work experience as well as that buzz that comes from helping others. For more on this topic, check back April 24.


Finally, you don't have to spend big bucks to make the summer memorable for those kids. Places like the zoo, the science museum, and even just playing together as a family at a park can create a sense that the summer is a special time of year. Just be intentional about making a plan, and in their downtime, just let those kids be kids.