School is Out!

11 Steps To An Awesome Summer

Now that school is ending, you may be wondering what the kids are going to do with their time off. With some creativity, there are dozens of local opportunities to keep kids busy without breaking the bank, but be sure to schedule downtime as well.

Register for camps. If you haven’t already, secure summer camps for kids. There’s still time to register!

Spend the week at Grandma’s (or another relative’s house). Every year my sister and I spent a week with our grandparents. Twice we went on vacation with them, but most years we just hung out at their house. We played with our cousins, went shopping, played games and attended local events. It was nice to experience life with my grandparents in charge and it allowed my parents to work without worrying about us.

Attend a local high school program. Most high schools offer sports, music, swimming or science programs and workshops during the summer, which are typically run by older students and school coaches or teachers. Kids get to feel like “big kids” when they participate in programs on a high school campus. It’s especially fun if they receive a cool t-shirt from the school they’ll attend one day.

Take a family vacation. If budget allows, take a trip with the family— even if it is a San Diego staycation or a weekend away. Find tons of trip ideas (national parks, weekend getaways, camping, road trips, etc.) in the Family Travel section of our website: www.sandiegofamily.com/things-todo/travel.

Vacation Bible School (VBS) is held at many local churches during summer breaks. This is an activity that your kids can participate in from preschool to high school and beyond. It is usually a half-day camp where kids do crafts, sing songs, watch skits and play games based on a bible theme. When kids outgrow the program, they can return as volunteers. So fun!

Check your local recreation center. The County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation offers programs for kids such as sports, cooking, STEM, visual arts and first aid. Choose one or more activities to suit your family’s summer schedule. www.sdparks.org/ content/sdparks/en/participate/ ProgramGuides.html

Create your own week of fun. Work with neighbors or friends to arrange a week of fun backyard activities and local field trips. Parents can pair up and take turns chaperoning the kids at local water parks, summer movies, nature trails, favorite attractions, etc. Alternatively, this could be done once a week throughout the summer—a great way to supplement other plans.

Make time to volunteer. If your kids are middle school age (or older), they can volunteer in a variety of ways. Libraries often need help with summer reading programs, churches look for VBS helpers, animal shelters need people to entertain cats, food pantries usually need stockers, and senior homes are always happy to see younger faces. Get more ideas at www.sandiegofamily.com/ things-to-do/donations-volunteers-andlocal-fundraisers.

Hire a nanny or parent helper. Nannies are more than toddler caregivers, and are especially helpful to parents who need to work throughout the summer. They can help drive kids to activities, prepare lunch, break up sibling squabbles—even supervise at the pool (bonus if they’re lifeguard certified). Many neighborhood teens and college students look for part-time or full-time summer positions. Ask for references from friends and neighbors or check San Diego nanny and babysitter group pages on Facebook.

Take it day by day. The advertisers in this magazine are a great source for activities and events around town. Be sure to stay plugged in to San Diego Family by following @ sandiegofamilymagazine on FB or IG and subscribing to their Things to Do eNewsletter at www.sandiegofamily. com/things-to-do.

Have an unscheduled week (or two). If your summer is busy, be sure to schedule a week of downtime (or one day each week). This is when you do absolutely nothing. Spend this precious time resting, reading, journaling or catching up on your favorite TV series. Too difficult to sit still? Sneak in a neglected project around the house, if you must.

Be sure to keep the week before school starts open for shopping (school supplies and clothes), dentist appointments, annual physicals, etc. Celebrate once you’ve checked all the necessities off the list. v

Pam Molnar is a freelance writer and mother of three. She has discovered that the best summer plans are made early, and hearing “I’m bored” from her kids is unavoidable.