By Lorie Ham
2020 has been a very different year thanks to a global pandemic that has caused lockdowns, businesses, and schools being closed, events being canceled, and so much more. Parents have had their kids home 24/7 for the last few months instead of just during summer vacation, and have been faced with the challenge of finding them things to do when they weren’t doing schoolwork.
Now summer vacation is here and it has left kids without even schoolwork to occupy their time. So with theme parks and summer camps mostly closed what is there for them to do? Many summer camps have actually taken their events online, so while you might want to limit their screen time, it still would give kids something positive to do. One particularly fun looking camp alternative is Virtual Tech Camps, who offer camps on designing video games and coding, among other fun tech related choices. Another tech related camp is Intellibricks, which offers robotics and STEM classes. The New York Film Academy is offering online summer camps for your more arts minded kids. Fresno Music Academy also now offers online classes. While many of the online camps cost money, Summer Camp Hub offers suggestions for some free online summer camps.
There are also a lot of other things kids that can do that don’t require them to be on the computer–such as reading. Many libraries are still doing summer reading programs where kids can sign up online and get prizes for reading, and some libraries, including Fresno County Libraries, also offer virtual performances. And if you don’t have any books left at home that the kids haven’t already read, most libraries are now at least offering curbside service, and there are e-books and digital audiobooks available to borrow as well.
If you are looking for something more active for your kid to do, there are activities that have stood the test of time which are still possible to do with social distancing–playing basketball with family at home in the driveway, taking walks as a family, and in some places you can now go fishing.
Another fun family activity that has gotten very popular again is board games. If you don’t have any on hand, and don’t feel comfortable heading out to the store to purchase them, there are many options for purchasing them online including Amazon, or you can find other suggestions on Finder.com, or just do a Google search.
Many churches are planning to hold Vacation Bible School virtually this summer. Check your local church for their schedule.
So don’t worry if you have a house full of restless kids, there are still a lot of fun things for them to do. Have a great and safe summer!
