Summer Is Long. Keep Your Kids Happy and Healthy With 5 Nourishing, Screen-Free Activities
It’s July now, which means summer’s still going strong. With school still on the horizon, your kids may be feeling a little antsy (and maybe you are, too!).
Here are five creative, screen-free, relatively simple ways to help your kids stay entertained–and engaged–this summer. Because let’s face it: sometimes you have the energy to set up a lemonade stand and become your kids’ business partner, but sometimes you just need an easy win.
1.Create fun mail or a care package.
Have grandparents, cousins, or even family friends living in another state? Have your kids create mail to send their way. They can write letters, draw pictures, or create crafts. You could also visit a dollar store (or something similar) to find inexpensive gifts or stickers to decorate the mail with. This is a great way to not only be creative, but also to connect with family members or friends.
2. Take them on a nature walk.
Kids love having a mission. If you tell them your goal is not just to walk but look at nature, they may get more excited! Take them to your local park, find a short hiking trail, or walk on an unfrequented road in a more rural area. You can also try making this into a game by creating a list of things to find (a butterfly or a dandelion, for example) and having them point them out to you. Or, give them each a small notepad to jot down their findings. Bonus points if you find a place to walk where you can look at cute farm animals!
The heat can make walking harder in the summer, so try venturing out on overcast days or in the morning.
3. Bake or cook a food they love together.
Do your kids love Rice Krispy Treats? Pancakes? Pizza? Show them how to make their favorite foods–and let them help you. This is a great way to spend time together on a rainy day without resorting to screens. Make it fun by coming up with chef personas or giving everyone an apron. You can also search for fun recipes together on Pinterest (if you have multiple children, designate a day for each of them to choose a recipe).
4. Take them to a children’s museum.
Another great rainy day activity is visiting a children’s museum. From science experiments to simulations of “grown up” activities like grocery shopping, your kids can learn, play, and explore. Check out this list of The Best Children’s Museums in the US to see if there’s a top-rated children’s museum near you!
5. Find a local event to attend.
Summer is a great time to check out local concerts, shows, or festivals in your area. Try to think beyond your normal routine to help your kids discover something new. Maybe there’s a community theater putting on a show, or a local orchestra that has a summer program, or an arts festival happening downtown. Make an outing of it with the whole family, and don’t forget picnic blankets and bugspray if you’ll be sitting outside on the ground!
Summer Products
Speaking of bugspray, we wanted to share some of our favorite kid-friendly products that you can find on our FullScript account.
SPF50+ Kid's Sunscreen Butter Stick by All Good
This mineral sunscreen stick is moisturizing, gentle, and easy to blend. In other words, not a stick of “butter” you mind handing your kid!
After Bug Itch Relief Stick by Badger
This organic bug stick uses Colloidal Oatmeal to relieve pesky itchiness from bug bites. Great for your kids and for you!
Kid’s Multivitamin Chewable by Seeking Health
We love this multivitamin! Check with your healthcare provider to determine if this is right for your little one. If you are a member of the practice, reach out to us!
Final Thoughts
Summer can feel long, but with a few creative ideas in your back pocket, you can help keep your kids stay happy, healthy, and content. Try one or two of these ideas this week, and remember: the best summer moments are those where everyone is together and present. Finish the summer strong by making new memories for your kids–and for you.
Thank you for being a part of the Grove Health community! We’re honored to support your family’s health and wellness. Stay connected with us through our monthly newsletters and blog posts—we love sharing helpful tips and inspiration with you.
At Grove Health, our mission is to provide thoughtful, compassionate care that supports the whole child and empowers families. Your trust in us strengthens that mission, and we’re so grateful to walk alongside you on this journey.
With Gratitude,
The Grove Health Pediatrics Team