"I'm bored!"

It's a complaint that almost every parent has heard a child make from time to time, especially during the long school break in the summer months. However, as every industrious and creative parent knows, summer is a time for creativity, physical and mental workouts, and spending time outdoors. No matter your child's interests, here are some ways to cure a kid's boredom with these time-honored solutions.

Develop new routines

The summer months typically lack the kind of day-to-day routines kids experience during the school year. Parents know a routine can help children shape their sense of time and schedule, allowing them to know what to expect and keeping a sense of normalcy in their lives that support healthy social/emotional development. Engaging in daily activities during the summer months help children improve their memory, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills. Some ways to keep a routine during the summer include having a designated day of the week for special activities like a family outing to a museum, a day at a public park, at-home music lessons or dance parties, or a special day for reading and relaxing. Be sure to ask your child for ideas on adding to their summer routine so they will have a sense of ownership in a new hobby or activity.

Keep learning all summer long

Many parents and educators talk about a summer slide, where kids may have a distinct learning loss when out of school for an extended period. Although studies vary on the actual occurrence of regression in academic proficiency due to a summer break, it's still a good time to refresh and enhance such skills as reading and math. Parents can see if their school has a suggested summer reading list for students and ensure they can access a public library.

You can also encourage math skills in your child’s life through everyday activities such as cooking (measuring ingredients), grocery shopping (teaching kids to calculate costs), or keeping score in board games and sports.

Developing new hobbies

The summer months are perfect for kids to develop new hobbies and keep them engaged with new interests. New hobbies you can help incorporate into your child's routine include baking/cooking, gardening, or knitting/sewing. If your child expresses an interest in the arts, a backyard is the perfect place to try their painting skills or drawing. You can also help a child cultivate their creativity with writing, singing, or acting out their own play.

Staying active

To prevent your child from staying glued to computer or TV screens, encourage them to stay active in the summer months. Physical activity in the early years can help set a fitness foundation for life. In addition to team sports leagues, keep your kids active by playing together in the yard or taking a family walk. From jumping rope to dance parties, physical activity can keep your child’s body and mind in motion.

Day trips

Taking day trips to public parks or hiking trails can also keep kids active while they learn about nature. You can also visit local historic landmarks or spend a day at the local museum or zoo. Sometimes, it's easy to forget about all the possibilities in your own hometown, so think like a tourist and check out your local chamber of commerce or municipal website to see what the options may be.

Virtual visits

Many of the world's most famous museums, zoos, and libraries offer virtual visits for kids that are free to the public. These sites offer everything from special exhibits to free concerts or even an online tour of their facility. This is one of the rare exceptions to recommend some quality and educational screen time during the summer months.

Volunteer

Summer is the perfect time to instill a sense of civic duty in a child and learn ways to give back to the community in different ways. From helping clean out their closets and donating toys or clothes to those in need to writing cards and letters to friends or relatives in retirement homes, helping a child learn to help others is a worthwhile way to spend their day.

Or do nothing!

In a world of computer screens, social media, and overpacked schedules, sometimes the best remedy for a stressed life is simply doing nothing. A limited amount of unstructured time allows kids to explore their interests at their own pace and offers time for fantasy and creative play. When kids are allowed time to simply do nothing, they can set their own pace, learn to create their own path to fulfillment, and start to manage their own time.