10 Tips for Keeping Your Tween Active During the Summer

Every year, the first week of summer vacation starts the same. My son and I are both excited for school to be out and happy to be able to sleep in. Then the game system and the central air come on. Soon, I'm wondering when school starts back up. It's at this point when I have to get creative and get my tween son active and out of the house.

Go fish. No, I'm not talking about the card game. There are tons of ways that kids can benefit from fishing. If you think that's not an active choice, then you aren't hiking far enough down the river.

Swim a few laps. Swimming is something my son and I both enjoy to its fullest. We go to the same affordable beach every year because the beach is made for families. We found our niche. Maybe you and your kids can check out a new beach every week until you find the one that suits your needs.

Take long walks. When the heat of the day has dropped to levels you can stand, take a walk around your neighborhood. This is a great time for those heart to heart talks too!

Do some outdoor shopping. Whether you go to yard sales, flea markets or even a farmer's market, you and your teen can search out some great deals and get some exercise at the same time.

Play night games. When I was a kid, there was nothing that my friends and I loved more than a night game of "Mother May I" or in a safe pace, even "Hide and Seek".

Plant a garden. Have your tween help out in the garden. They get to exercise their bodies while putting into practice some of their recently acquired science knowledge.

Implement chore charts. Yes, I said "chores". Too many kids have no concept of responsibility. Summer vacation originally came about so that children could help their families on the farm. Go old school and give your tween some chores for the summer.

Kinect the family on hot days. If it's just too hot to do anything outside, get the family together for Kinect Sports or Kinect Adventures.

Spend the day at the park. Tweens aren't too old to play at the park. Even parents can enjoy the cool breeze from playing on the swings. Remember trying to see if you really could make the swing go ALL the way around?

It's time to get a job. I was so proud of my son, who got paid to shovel snow this winter. When spring hit, he was quick to ask the landlord if she had any summer work for him. There's plenty of work for kids to do over the summer. It keeps them active while giving them a sense of independence and responsibility.

The imagination can go a long way. You don't have to spend a lot of money to keep your tween active during the summer. Get out and get creative!

More from this author...
10 Tips for Disciplining Your Tween
Xbox Live Brings Families Together
How to Teach Children Financial Responsibility

References: Personal and professional experience