5 Things Your Kids Should Be Doing This Summer

Whether your children are on a traditional school-year cycle or a year-round format that takes shorter, "off-track" breaks, there will no doubt be a few unscheduled weeks during the summer season. Even with the reduced downtime that today's kids are accustomed to, there is still something special, even reverent, about the glory days of summer, and more so for the season's most beloved activities. Although these ideas are hardly new, we sometimes need a reminder of the simple delights that inspire kids to embrace summer:

1.) Reading the book

The previous generation typically followed the protocol: read the book, then see the movie (if there was one). Today, in spite of the enormous popularity of films adapted from children's books, kids usually travel in the opposite direction. Aside from promoting the practice of reading, devouring the book first can enhance the movie-going experience. According to Cheryl Otten, a Neptune, New Jersey children's librarian within the Central Jersey Regional Library Cooperative, "Normally, there are a lot more details in the book. They should understand the movie much better if they read the book first." Even if your family has seen the movie, it's not too late to read the last Harry Potter, Chronicles of Narnia, or Dr. Seuss book to be modified to the screen. But this summer, a good rule of thumb may be to find out if the new fantasy flick or animated epic your kids are craving got its start as a book. If you're unsure, sites like www.kidsreads.com or others that have a "books into movies" section may be able to help.

2.) Going to camp

Sure, you'll miss them, and they will probably miss you. But if you're a parent that is reluctant to take that overnight summer camp leap, your children could be missing out on a valuable preamble to independence, not to mention active, outdoor experiences. According to Michele Branconier, Executive Director for the Southern California/Hawaii section of the American Camp Association (ACA), "Camp is more relevant now than it has ever been." She cites the increasing removal of physical education from schools as one of the primary reasons. And, while the local recreation departments and churches offer day camp programs can be positive endeavors, parents should embrace them as "stepping stone" opportunities to overnight camps - along with weekend visits to friends' and relatives' homes. "All of those things are a great way to ease into that." Worried that there are no camps geared toward your child's areas of interest? A living, breathing person can guide you toward one of the thousands of ACA accredited camps nationwide. Just call their office at (213) 483-4300. You can also look for accredited camps with themed sessions - from academics to horseback to windsurfing, and everything in between - at www.campparents.org. Other fantastic resources can be your local Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts council (for example, Girl Scouts of the USA allows non-members to attend their camps), or religious institutions, which often hold annual excursions to camps affiliated with their denominations.

3.) Taking on a business venture

First of all, it's not as scary as it sounds. How many times have you reminisced about that July afternoon you made $5 selling sticks of gum to the neighborhood kids, or the $150 profit you raked in during your first summer of babysitting? Well, taking inflation into account, your kids can make even more! Even if you already have a chores-for-pay system or other allowance opportunities in play, your children can benefit tremendously from earning money based on their own innovations, and a plan they formulate themselves (under your watchful eye). Here's a tip: Kids need to learn that failure is a part of achievement. So, if they get a few "no's" out there, that's okay. But to increase their chances of overall success, you may wish to alert grandparents, neighbors, and friends ahead of time. Then, when they're handed a homemade business card advertising that a lemonade stand will be available during your annual yard sale, they're prepared to respond with enthusiasm - and can make plans to stop by for a tall, cool paper cup that day.

4.) Learning to cook

You hear it all the time: Getting kids in the kitchen can help instill healthy eating habits, spark creativity, and bring you closer together. But for those who are intimidated by flying handfuls of flour and potential spills from large cartons of milk, a number of enterprises that cater to eager junior chefs are cropping up nationwide. Companies like Batter Up Kids (www.batterupkids.com) and Young Chefs' Academy (www.youngchefsacademy.com), which offer a full "menu" of age-appropriate classes, are growing in franchise numbers. Although there's a good chance that one of these establishments is near you, there is still something to be said for a parent and child in the kitchen together. You can supplement culinary classes with one-on-one cooking time, or skip the formal instruction altogether. Need some start-out recipes? Check out the tasty treats, each accompanied by a crisp, colorful photo, on www.cookingwithkids.org.

5.) Making their OWN crafts

Here's the thing: Even the most seasoned elementary teachers, early childhood educators, and scout leaders rely on pre-cut, foam pieced craft kits from time to time. After all, when you're in a pinch, you're in a pinch. However, you can bet that if there were a way to poll them all, most of these professionals would agree that there is a huge distinction between a foam kit and a genuine artistic opportunity. The great thing about art is that it encompasses such a broad spectrum. Safe household throwaways like empty, clean containers, displaced puzzle pieces, and cardboard remnants - yes, that includes toilet paper rolls - can be recycled through your child's art. And that doesn't just apply to preschoolers; many a school-aged child has had a blast rolling a coffee can filled with marbles and paint across the floor. For more ideas, you can visit the children's crafts section of www.pioneerthinking.com.

After trying out these endeavors this summer, you may decide that one was wildly successful, while another was not. After all, scrutinizing the details of our kids' endeavors is our parental responsibility. In spite of this, rest assured that your child is most likely not doing this type of post-activity analysis. Chances are, he's probably just happy to have tried something new. To your benefit, you can be proud that you formed a plan for his summer, carried it out, and have a new batch of pictures that he can back on with fondness someday.