While it’s true that adults with comorbidities or belonging to old-age brackets are at a higher risk of getting infected with COVID-19, infants, young kids, and teens are highly vulnerable to it as well. The US Centers for Disease Control revealed that most children and teens with COVID-19 are either asymptomatic (without symptoms) or have very minimal symptoms. Despite this, they can still get hospitalized, require intensive care, or die in the worst cases.
These things ultimately point to the fact that children and teens need constant guidance and protection from their parents and among themselves to avoid contracting the deadly virus. This can be achieved through strict adherence to hygiene and social distancing protocols and living a healthy lifestyle, among other preventive measures. Parents who are planning right now on how to best spend the summer without exposing their kids to potential COVID-19 transmission should choose activities with minimal outside contact.
Here are six of these safe but fun summer activities for kids that you must consider:
1. Begin an art or science project.
Kids, particularly those with an inclination to arts and sciences, could easily get bored if they can’t practice their skills and knowledge during their long summer break. This is why among the most advisable summer activities for kids include starting a science or art project, depending on which interests your kids. With some basic supplies, you can easily have your kids occupied as they make drawings, paint landscapes, or begin a science investigatory project in the comfort and safety of your home.
2. Enroll them in summer lessons.
If your kids have a particular knack for enhancing their knowledge or skill set, then a great summer activity idea would be to enroll them in summer lessons of their choice. Fortunately, there is no shortage of these: there are many schools and clinics offering piano lessons, art classes, swimming, and other lessons that would keep kids occupied throughout summer. Parents can choose one-on-one classes (with social distancing still observed) or online tutorials as there are clinics that offer such given the current situation.
3. Go on a scavenger hunt.
If you want to get your kids’ adrenaline pumping in the summer, you should consider holding a scavenger hunt for them. You can get them to hunt for bugs, ‘lost treasures,’ and any other things that you think would be fun and enriching for them. There are plenty of printables that you can find online to help you set up a hunt quickly. You can run it on a per week schedule, so your kids will always have something to look forward to.
4. Work on a flower or vegetable garden.
Getting your kids started on basic gardening is one fun summer activity that would benefit them immensely. At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the home gardening industry did enjoy big profits as millions of Americans busy during local and state-wide lockdowns. You can easily order gardening supplies online or do a quick visit to your local supplies store and nursery to buy basic gardening tools and materials. For this, you’ll only need a small area to start planting vegetables or ornamental plants. You can even turn it into a friendly competition among your kids who can show to have the greenest thumb of them all.
5. Have movies, camping, or stargazing nights in your yard.
There are times when the simplest things bring the greatest joy to kids. Sometimes, all kids need is to lie down with their parents as they do relatively lazy things like watching the night sky or exchanging stories over a campfire. You should consider having periodic backyard camping or stargazing, as well as watching kid-friendly films in your outdoors. These activities are fairly easy to set up, so you should enjoy them with your kids without any difficulty.
6. Schedule a field day.
Many kids love the clean, fun, and excitement that field days bring, which is why it is another excellent summer activity that you must consider doing with them. The good news is that there are plenty of ready-made field day kits that you can check out online. You can do it just for fun or up the ante by turning it into a mini competition with small prizes for everyone.
Kids should stay entertained and positive for them to enjoy their growing up years. Amid the ongoing pandemic, this is something that becomes all the more important. Enough attention should be placed on it. Just consider these great ideas, and you’ll be good for the upcoming summer.
