Ahhhhh. Summer.
So how do you keep your kid's brain -- and your own brain -- from going to mush over the summer?
While summer is a great time to drift along simply enjoying the moment, a sprinkling of planned gatherings, outings, and crafts nicely balance those lazy, hazy days. So how do you think up fun things to do?
As summer approached, some moms from Eli's school and I got together to create "Camp Rainbow." It isn't a camp in any traditional sense of the word; it's just parents and kids hanging out. Still, it gives us a framework for thinking up fun. There are twelve weeks to the summer, so we thought up a dozen themes to help us narrow down our brainstorming. We decided that the most important thing was flexibility. Some weeks may be jammed while others are sparse. Some outings may be attended by multiple families while others are just a couple of moms and kids. Everybody can drift in and out according to their work, day camp, and vacation needs. Easy peasy.
Our first week's theme was "Careers and Jobs." I picked up some nonfiction picture books from the library and found many about food service careers. Thus we met up at Waffle House where kiddos can sit at the counter and watch the action.
The juke box was almost as exciting as the waffle making station!
After lunch we went to visit a bank.
(One of our dads works there and gave us a tour.)
The safety deposit box was fascinating even if it was empty!
But even the safety deposit box paled in comparison to the lollypop jar.
Eli contemplates loan rates...
Kidding aside, the kids really did learn a lot. Camp Rainbow is off to a fun start! Stay tuned...
How creative! And educational! Great idea! You are encouraging thinking and expansion in these little minds. What a wonderful gift.
Posted by: anjahni | 05 June 2014 at 12:54 PM
Thanks, Anjahni! We are having a ball and it keeps summer from feeling like a free fall, LOL!
Posted by: Valerie J. Frey | 05 June 2014 at 07:29 PM