The following article was written for the Alamogordo Daily News in New Mexico (to be published by them on their new blog):

“The summer break is long.  What can my kids do?”  I often hear parents in Alamogordo and Holloman AFB ask this question.  Indeed, the last day of school is going to be 23 May and the kids do not go back to school 12 August.  There are three months of holidays.  How do you keep your kids occupied for three whole months?

In attempt to answer that question, I have come up with 10 ideas for parents here:

1.    Encourage your kids to take up a hobby, something that requires constant practice, e.g. playing musical instruments, participating in team sports and learning foreign languages.

 

2.    Be creative.  Organize some activities (e.g. talent show, karaoke singing contest) or buy some fun toys together with your neighbors who have kids.  Two heads are better than one, plus you can share cost among a few families.

 

3.    Join a summer camp such as the Shuttle Camp at New Mexico Museum of Space History or the Operation Purple Teen Leadership Camp for military teenagers aged 13 to 17.  The Operation Purple Teen Leadership Camp is open to all military children of current service members and all expenses with the exception of travel to and from the campsite in North Carolina will be covered upon selection.  For details, visit National Military Family Association.

 

4.    Organize your own summer day camps in your backyard.  Again, get your neighbors or friends involved.  Take turns to oversee the activities.

 

5.    Get your kids to join Girl Scouts or Boys and Girls Club.  They always have various activities, including trips, throughout the year.

 

6.    Keep your kids busy by not just providing them playtime, teach them to be self-disciplined and independent by asking them to earn their time on the computer or some pocket money by doing chores around the house, helping with yard work or washing cars.

 

7.    Encourage your kids to read a book or newspaper every day.  The City of Alamogordo has story time at Alamogordo Public Library throughout the summer and you can also register your kids for the Summer Reading Program to attend the opening carnival on 30 May.  For details, visit the calendar of the City of Alamogordo.

 

8.    Get your kids to do some refresher homework every week.  It is a great time to catch up with topics that your kids are weak at.  Give them some English or math worksheets to work on.  Practice makes perfect.

 

9.    Connect with your family members who are not in the same town.  Nurture your kids about the importance of family values.

 

10. Do grocery shopping, cook and wash dishes together.  You are teaching them some life skills while spending time together.

 

It can be a challenge to keep the kids occupied throughout the long summer, but with a little creativity and collaboration with your friends and neighbors, you can always come up with some cheap, fun and educational activities for them.