6 Unique Ideas for When Your Children Have Time Off from School!

Modern kids get a lot of vacation time. Summer break, winter break, spring break, etc. Hanging around the house is fun but there’s a good chance that your kids want to do something more with their time off.

So, what should you do? We have some ideas.

Send Them Off to See Extended Family

This plan won’t work for everyone. But if you have a large, accommodating family, you should use your child’s vacation time as a visiting opportunity. Your little one can grow close to the people that helped raise you.

You don’t have to go on the trip on yourself. Ask your relative if you can send your kids on their own. That way your children learn how to be independent and you don’t have to worry about missing too much work.

Go to Camp

Attending a summer camp in your youth can be a life-changing experience. Your child is thrust into a situation where they have to fend for themselves. They can grow into a different being.

You might think that kid camps are only fit for youngsters who like the outdoors. While it’s true that a lot of camps are focused on the outdoor experience, you can easily find a program tailored to your child’s interests. There are sports camps, technology camps, science camps. Project Fashion summer camps  are camps geared toward kids who are interested in fashion.

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I can't believe our first baby is going to be away for three days without us, I am anxious! This will be her first taste of freedom. She will be attending the Camp Magis. Have fun little lady and be safe! #CampMagis #OutOfSchoolEvent

A post shared by Chubskulit Rose (@chubskulitrose) on Aug 30, 2017 at 2:55am PDT

There’s no reason your kids need to spend the summer cooped up in their bedrooms. If springing for camp fees is unfeasible, there are often free or low-cost programs run by the local government.

Learn a Skill

Maybe your child is a skilled woodworker. Maybe they would make a handy sailor. There’s a lot of value to learning a skill. It can help boost your child’s self-confidence in a huge way. Everyone loves feeling that they’re good at something.

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We had a good 25 walk around Franciscan University while our daughter is attending her violin lesson. This will be her last time with her first teacher, she will have a new one next week. #violin🎻 #music #FamilyBonding #walks #CatholicUniversity #UniversitySteubenvilleOhio #CollegeCampus #MusicIsLife #musician #violinist🎻

A post shared by Chubskulit Rose (@chubskulitrose) on May 8, 2018 at 4:30pm PDT

The great thing about a long vacation is it gives your child time to focus on something. If they want to take piano lessons they can practice for four hours a day without interfering with their schoolwork.

Start Cooking

Who doesn’t want to know how to cook? Once your kids are old enough to handle themselves in the kitchen, you should try teaching them how to cook. Maybe Jr. can take care of the family dinner once or twice a week.

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Someone is craving for Mochi so she made some yesterday. I thought it was delicious! Pretty good for first try. #mochi #snack #FilAm

A post shared by Chubskulit Rose (@chubskulitrose) on Jun 9, 2018 at 3:56pm PDT

Start with easy recipes. Trying out a complicated recipe before you’ve fallen in love with cooking is tedious.

Start Camping

We’ve already talked about sending your kids off to camp on their own. Another option is to plan a camping trip for the family. Pick a spot, pack up the car, and go. You don’t need a lot of supplies. You can even skip buying a tent if you decide to sleep in your car.

Camping can be a ton of fun. It doesn’t matter if you’re not a typical outdoorsy person. Just make sure to pack enough creature comforts to keep yourself happy.

Meet People

Prioritize your child’s social life. It may seem odd but your child’s fickle relationships are actually really important. They’re setting your child up for the rest of their life. A poorly socialized person is going to have trouble getting through life.

Don’t allow your kids to become hermits during their breaks. Encourage them to meet with their friends. If they don’t have any friends, help them make some. Kids are often willing to leap into new friendships without a second thought.

Figuring out what to do with your kids during their school breaks can seem like a challenge. After all, you’re trying to strike the perfect blend between fun and usefulness. You want your kids to enjoy their time off but you also want them to use the opportunity to grow.

Work with your family to determine the best option. Listen to your children’s needs. You don’t have to be their activity manager once they reach a certain age. They can start making decisions about how to entertain themselves.