3. Write a pen pal.
We’re in the heart of PCS season. Military families are coming and going. Instead of just slowly navigating your way past the moving trucks in your neighborhood, plan to make a trip to the store to pick up cute stationary your finish line.
Once you make it there, have your kids sit down and write a letter to at least one friend who has moved away. This could be someone who just left or a friend they haven’t seen for a couple of years.
The art of letter writing is lost thanks to social media sites and video calls. But a child’s eyes will still light up when they open the mailbox to see that he or she has mail!
Make a child smile by having your child pen a letter.
4. Start a business.
While lemonade stands aren’t quite as common as they were decades ago…some kids still have fun setting up shop and charging a quarter for a cup of old fashion lemonade.
However, there are SO many entrepreneurial opportunities waiting for your child. Maybe you have a teenager interested in mowing lawns, or a middle school child who wants to open a tattoo parlor (temporary, of course!)
Having a child serve others through a small business teaches the child the value of money, how to be responsible and how to commit to a task- all while having fun.
Bake sales, artwork and dog walking are also great opportunities…see what your child comes up with!
5. Write a book.
Journaling unlocks areas of our brain we didn’t even know existed. Encourage your child to think through the summer by keeping a journal. It doesn’t need to be fancy and can be written in so many styles – from a train of thought journal to an autobiography.
For younger children, they can journal their summer adventures by drawing pictures.
Not only will writing a journal keep your child’s writing and reading skills sharp this summer, it is the perfect outlet for kids going through changes and becomes their first draft of history.
