I realize it is only a few weeks into the summer season, but you may already looking for ways to amuse, entertain, distract, and educate kids of various ages who are home for what seems like the duration. Swimming pools and sprinklers are a great, but don’t forget about a trip to a stream, creek, river or lake—these destinations can provide endless hours of interesting play (not to mention some science and educational opportunities as well)…
Even a small creek running through a park or neighborhood can be a major focal point for children of all ages. When my own children were elementary-aged, we lived briefly in a house on a hill that had a slow, meandering creek running along the back of all the houses. My kids spent the entire summer around that creek—collecting bugs; turning over rocks; creating all sorts of dramatic, imaginary worlds, plays and stories; gathering sticks and feathers and other “wild” debris; and building forts. They connected with other children in the neighborhood around that meandering little creek too. My eldest daughter used to take “water samples” from the creek and look at them under her microscope. In my memory, I don’t recall anyone getting bored that summer.
There is a reason that summer camps, vacations, and some of the best children’s books and stories take place around water. Of course, young children should not be unsupervised around water—but this provides another opportunity for growth and education. Teaching children water safety and how to behave around rivers and lakes is important. There is something so naturally fabulous about bodies of water—and children won’t care if it’s a huge man-made lake, a quarry, or a trickling, muddy stream. A day near water will provide children with stimulation and education (not to mention a few scratches and bug bites). Be sure to take along a first-aid kit and educate children about poisonous plants, bugs, bees, etc.
So, when the kids start to get bored or you’re wondering what to do on a slow, summer day—take a trip to water, it may keep everyone satisfied for a full week (or at least the day).
See Also: Water Play Fun