WIth the kids out of school and finally on summer break, you could either let them go on their own to do whatever they want or encourage 20 of these fun and practical activities. From playing sports to building crafts to planning fun family activities, here are great tips on how to make use of this time!

1. Explore Nature

Summer break is full of good weather and warm sunshine, so make sure your kids take full advantage of that and enjoy the great outdoors. Encourage them to head outside so they can breath in all that fresh air while they can. It might also help them better appreciate the beauty of nature!

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2. Read Regularly

It's been shown that reading is directly connected to improving vocabulary, comprehension, and creativity in kids, so keep their brains active during the summer by picking up some books for them to read. Find out what genre they best enjoy so they see it as a fun activity they might grow to love rather than a chore.

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3. Learn a New Skill

If you see your kid lingering around the house doing nothing and feeling bored, it's a good idea to encourage them to try learning something new or finding a new hobby. Whether it's cooking, gardening, reading, or playing a musical instrument, learning new skills can be just as fun as it is rewarding.

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4. Volunteer

Or how about doing some good for the community during your free time? If your kid is up to it, volunteer together to give back to those who need it. Participate in some community service or volunteering activities that will have them understand the significance of being kind and helpful.

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5. Exercise Daily

Make sure they're not just sitting around all day - get them up and running by encouraging them to exercise daily. Find some form of physical activity that they enjoy, be it sports, cycling, swimming, or whatever, and have them do it frequently throughout the summer. It's important you keep them healthy too!

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6. Engage in Creative Arts

With just a few tools, your kids can let their imagination fly free with the stroke of a paintbrush or the line of a pencil. Painting and drawing are fun activities that allow kids to be completely free and creative, letting them draw up whatever they want.

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7. Practice Math and Science

Keep their brains refreshed by throwing in some fun math and science activities or experiments to do over summer break. Make it as fun as possible so it doesn't seem like homework!

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8. Create a Backyard Camping Experience

With summer making the weather bearable to be outside at night, give your kids a fun night out by setting up a tent in your backyard. Camping at home! Without the stress of going to an actual campsite, you can set up camp, have some s'mores, share stories, and take in all of the beautiful night sky together.

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9. Connect with Friends

Summer break is the perfect time for your kids to reconnect with friends and improve their social skills. Maintaining and building new friendships is an important part of growing up, so make sure you give your kids all the time and opportunities they need to excel in that.

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10. Set Goals

With so much free time set aside, why not go over some goals with your kids? It'll help them stay motivated throughout the break, and give them challenges and rewards to look forward to.

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11. Join a Summer Camp

If you've got some active kids who hate sitting around, love making new friends, and enjoy being outside, sign them up for summer camp! It's the perfect way to provide them with plenty of activities that match their interests.

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12. Start a Journal

Keep track of all the summer fun your kids are having by getting them to start a journal. Instead of having them see it as a chore, explain how it's a way to write down all the fun times they're having, and that you can look back on them as fond memories when the break is over.

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13. Have a Water Day

Summer might be hot, so take advantage of this opportunity to engage in fun water activities! Whether it's a simple water balloon fight on the lawn, taking an exciting trip to a water park, or going to the local swimming pool, these refreshing activities are a fun way to bond and cool down under the summer sun.

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14. Play Educational Games

There's a lot of time to have fun and play games during summer break, so why not throw in some educational games that are both entertaining and informative? Promoting critical thinking and problem-solving skills, it's truly the best of both worlds.

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15. Explore Local Culture

Sometimes, you don't need to go far to experience some new and exciting things. Just take a walk outside and see what your city has to offer! From local festivals to cultural events, there's always a lot going on in town during the summer. 

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16. Build Something

For the kids who love playing or working with their hands, challenge them to build something over the break, whether it be a fun lego project, DIY crafts, or some basic woodworking (with some parental supervision of course). It's a great way to keep their bodies moving, minds active, and enhance their creativity skills.

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17. Practice Mindfulness

Just because they're young doesn't mean they don't have stresses of their own! Take the time during the break to check in with your kids and teach them basic mindfulness techniques that can help them keep calm during rough situations. It's a good time to teach them about mental health and emotional well-being.

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18. Learn Basic Life Skills

Whether it's laundry, cooking, or helping around the house, take a moment to encourage your child to learn some new basic life skills that will help them out in life. It's a great time to do so as they finally have some time to dedicate towards that!

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19. Spend Quality Family Time

And of course, while everyone's normally busy with work, school, or their own personal projects, summer break is a great opportunity for family members to reconnect and spend some time together. Have some fun game nights, plan exciting movie nights, or go on some adventurous outings! Whatever it is, this quality time is a great opportunity to strengthen some family bonds.

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20. Play Outdoor Sports

With the sun high in the sky, there's no better season to participate in some outdoor sports. There's no worry of rain or bad weather getting in the way, so your kids can run around outside playing sports that they enjoy best.

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