How to Keep Your Kids Busy and Happy During the Summer

If you’re like most parents, summer vacation can be both a blessing and a curse. Yes, the early morning struggles of getting the kids ready for school are gone, but finding ways to keep them happy and entertained can be stressful.

Here are just a few tips to keep grumpy kids at bay:

·       Theme parks and water parks are summertime favorites. Plan to arrive early and beat the crowds (and the heat) and when the temperature starts to rise – hit the water rides for a quick cool down. Pack a cooler with drinks and snacks to help save a little money.

·       Indoor rock climbing is becoming popular everywhere. These indoor, air-conditioned places are a great way to stay cool and get some exercise while having fun at the same time. There’s nothing boring about hanging off the side of a “cliff!”

·       Visit a local garden. If you are fortunate enough to live in a city that has a botanical garden center, load up the kids and take on the sites of these beautiful gardens. These are beautiful and serene locations that have popular summer blooms. And you may just spark an interest in gardening and spawn a new hobby to share with your children.

·       Local museums and science centers. Even if you don’t live directly in a big city that has a local museum or science center, chances are good that you live within a reasonable driving distance from one or the other or both. These are great places to keep your kids learning over the summer and are a perfect indoor activity on a rainy day or an extremely hot day.

So you see, there are plenty of summer activities for the kids without relying on trips to the pool every day. These ideas are great alone or combine them into a “staycation” and do them all during your family vacation time – get creative!