Kids say they love when school’s out for summer, but a months-long break from structure can often lead to chaos. Before the sunshine season starts, set aside some time for you and your child to design a dream summer with a balance of scheduled activities and flexible free time. Our formula for the perfect summer? Read on.
Early summer
School’s out, the sun is shining, and the energy is buzzing! During the early days of summer, everything is new and exciting and kids and teens are still (somewhat) on the school sleep schedule. Take advantage of that early summer spark by scheduling big travel for when the energy is fresh.
Our picks: Take a trip to see family that your child might not get to hang out with often. Visit a National Park to hike, camp, or learn new things about nature and wildlife. Travel to a new city, state, or even country that’s always been on your family’s bucket list!
Midsummer
The days are long, nights are warm, and school feels like a distant memory. Bring back learning to combat the summer slide with activities that are both academic and active. Why? Summer is the perfect time for socialization, friendship building, learning and development, personal growth, mentorship, and memories.
Our picks: Join a summer sports league or head to camp! Whether it’s the cutting-edge technology and pure joy of an iD Tech camp or an art, drama, or nature-focused camp, there’s no denying the soft skills, life lessons, and milestone moments kids and teens will gain from the midsummer experience.
Late summer
As the precious weeks of summer start to wane, back-to-school anxiety can start to creep in. Take a moment with your child to answer, “Did you get to do all those dream activities? Is there anything else you want to do to make summer special? (Have you started your summer reading assignment?)”
Our picks: Find balance between implementing structure and finishing summer on a high note. Get your child's mindset back into learning mode with private lessons and bring the fun with a summer grand finale like another camp, an amusement park day, or an epic sleepover with friends!
Plan now, your future self will thank you
After you discuss summer with your child, it’s up to you to nail down dates, sync calendars, and solidify sign-ups. From camp registration to travel bookings to campsite reservations, spots are filling up faster than ever before! Take this as your sign to make moves sooner rather than later to avoid the disappointment and stress of reconfiguring plans.
Pro tip! When researching your ideal dates and dream locations, look for travel and programs with flexible change policies. That way, you have the peace of mind that you can make changes should a conflict or another amazing summer adventure come your way.