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summer activities for kids

Summer activities for kids and outodoor activities. Enjoy!


03 August, 2021

Summer activities for kids and outdoor activities have a lot of benefits such as stimulating creativity and increasing children's well-being.

Although more and more research highlights the importance of nature for the harmonious development of children, the opportunity to spend as much time as possible has become increasingly limited. If you're like most parents, you probably already know that little ones tend to spend more time in front of their devices than playing outdoors. We've put together a list of summer activities for kids.

The best way to instill a desire to spend time in nature in your child is to inspire them to do so yourself. And if we haven't convinced you yet, we've also put together a list that sums up the benefits of spending time in nature.

Encouraging children to spend more time outdoors, away from technology, contributes to physical well-being and improves emotional and intellectual health.

Benefits of summer activities for kids and outdoor activities:

  • Reduces the risk of certain diseases. Studies have shown a clear decrease in the risk of obesity, asthma, and myopia in children who spend more time in nature. The immune system is also improved by exposing little ones to bacteria and viruses. Children who spend more time in nature and green spaces are less likely to develop respiratory diseases caused by excessive air pollution.
  • Train physical activities. Children are a source of energy: they run, climb, jump, dance. All these activities are more attractive if they take place outside, in the fresh air, and they are a cornerstone for the health and development of children of all ages.
  • Quiet sleep. Surely you've noticed too that after a brisk playtime in the park or the backyard at grandparents' house, children's sleep was much deeper and more restful. The first hours of the day are the hours when the body is most productive, alert, and able to concentrate, so it is advisable to spend more time outside to regulate their internal rhythm and get quality sleep.
  • Limitless creativity. Nature is an infinite resource of objects that can form a real play universe for little ones: a twig can be a magic wand that carries you into the future, a maple leaf can turn into a fan, and a tree can be the castle tower of an enchanted land.
  • Various summer activities in nature bring a wealth of valuable sensory experiences.

 Studies show that time spent in nature helps reduce anxiety and stress, develop the ability to concentrate

 

 Summer activities for kids

  1. A day in pictures - provide your child with a camera and encourage them to photograph moments that they find interesting or meaningful. At the end of the day, you can watch them and tell them about what they enjoyed most about the activity, what they captured in the photos, how they felt doing it and what their favorite pose was.
  2. Organize a rock painting workshop - it's well known that our little ones are great collectors of rocks of all kinds, all shapes, and colors, and their pockets are always full. Set up a stone painting workshop. Be inspired by the shape of the stones, nature, and the colors around you, then leave them in the sun to dry.
  3. Have a picnic in the park or the woods - equip yourself with a blanket, a basket of fruit, lemonade, and whatever else you like, and go for a picnic in the park or the woods. Observe the shapes of the clouds and imagine all sorts of funny animals, musical instruments or make up your unusual characters. Make up stories with imaginary characters and enjoy nature and fresh air.
  4. Organize a camping trip - experiencing a night in a tent can be a real challenge. Go on an adventure together! Go camping for a night in the mountains, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Build a campfire in the specially designated spots, bake marshmallows on a stick and enjoy the cool air. Improvise some musical instruments with what you have to hand and give a spectacular concert that ends with a round of applause.
  5. Arm yourselves with magnifying glasses and go in search of butterflies and insects, observe their characteristics, learn their names and talk about what you found interesting about each one. Take along a book of butterflies and insects to make it easier to identify them.
  6. Plant seeds and observe their development - an activity that requires patience and responsibility. Remind them that seeds need sun and water to sprout and grow. Talk about the importance of plants and trees to the environment and show them how to care for them.
  7. Collect insects/grasses - when we were kids, we used to make bugs or weeds. Continue this habit and teach your child to create one. A wonderful opportunity to spend quality time in nature.
  8. Admire the sky - set up a telescope together and look at the stars and moon. Talk to him about the constellations, the Big Dipper, the Little Dipper, and if you're lucky, you might even catch a shooting star.
  9. Abstract painting with a straw - on a sheet of paper drip watercolors and give your child a straw to blow across the sheet of paper and create all sorts of funny paintings.
  10. Experiment: erupting a volcano - bury a container in sand or soil but leave the mouth uncovered. Add water, dye, dishwashing liquid, and baking soda. Mix well, and then pour in vinegar. The reaction between bicarbonate and vinegar produces carbon dioxide, which is released by the volcano's eruption. Make sure you have enough vinegar and bicarbonate because the little ones will be so excited about the experiment, they'll want to do it again and again.

Studies have shown that spending more time outside will make children happier and more relaxed. Time outdoors improves short-term memory, concentration, and cognitive skills. It's almost as if nature makes us smarter, which is quite amazing! 

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