So, imagine getting into a virtual queue to get a number which then allows you a 10-minute signup window during which you’ve got to be prepped to know exactly what you want to add to your online cart, have your credit card and registration info at hand, AND pass that CAPTCHA test (I mean, could that be another parking meter in the background of the first picture? I promise I’m not a robot!) Just what the heck would require so much forethought, preparation, and online agility? Were you buying tickets at 10:01 to a one-time Adele-Beyonce-BTS supergroup show with Bruce Springsteen and Taylor Swift as openers? (Ya gotta figure Jay-Z will be there as well, right?) Nope. You were trying to enroll your five-year-old in a Minecraft LEGO day camp this summer. Womp womp. And spoiler alert - it was already full when it was finally your turn.

Whew. Summers are tricky. You want to have some structure, but not too much. Some plans, but not too many. I mean it’s summer right? We’re supposed to be able to lazily float around the pool with a refreshing beverage and then attend a feast harvested from a bountiful garden in which a chef somehow coaxes zucchini into not tasting like zucchini. (I think lots of cheese is the key.) Isn’t that what summer’s supposed to be? Well, as parents we know we may be able to snag a chill day here and there, but we’ve still got work and childcare to tend to. Which means we’ve got to think about some activities for our kiddos to keep them engaged and active. But it can be a tricky feat to find activities and get those littles enrolled. The plus side is that some forethought and a smidge of stress now pays off over those warm summer months. Here are some of our thoughts on how to think about summer activities.

Why should you sign those kiddos up for activities?

It’s a break from the screen - We all know our littles shouldn’t be getting much in the way of screens. But who hasn’t had a moment of weakness when you’ve handed an iPad to your toddler while trying to finish up a work email, put away a load of laundry, or - heaven forbid - listen to the last three minutes and 47 seconds of that psychological thriller audiobook (I mean, was it or was it not the adopted niece all along?!?).
Kids can focus on an interest - A class designating focus on one topic that interests your kiddo - dinosaurs, LEGO, Minecraft, cooking, slime (are we still into that?) - lets your child go all in on that topic. What a great way to incorporate learning and play!
Practice on social and emotional learning skills - The last couple of years of isolation and physical distancing have made it really challenging for young children (heck, for me as well) to practice some of those soft skills associated with social and emotional learning. You know the stuff - things like the ability to shift or maintain focus, impulse control, conflict resolution, and other relationship and decision-making skills. Structured activities offer an opportunity for guided group dynamics as kids branch out to socialize and make new friends.
Parents get a time-out - Whether you need it in the schedule as a piece of your childcare coverage or you need it as part of your mental health, a smidge of time apart can be a good thing for both parent and child. Also, a parent with multiple kiddos may find taking a class with one child or staying home with another offers some precious one-on-one time for strengthening relationships.
Children develop independence - Part of growing older is the ability to demonstrate some independence…and this is hugely important in helping a child gain both positive self-esteem as well as a general sense of self in the world at large.

And just where exactly are these camps and activities?

Summer programming by your preschool - Over the summer, many preschools mix it up and offer multiple brief classes geared toward littles. It’s also a great way to ease into a class if you have a hesitant kiddo. They’ll already be familiar with the setting along with many of the instructors and classmates.
Places of worship - Maybe your house of worship offers activities over the summer months to keep those kiddos active and engaged. Reach out to see if there is programming that may fit with your family’s interests and schedule.
Grandparent camp - You all heard of this? So, maybe I’m late to this trend, but many grandparents take their grandkids for a week of structured, daytime fun. Think baking cookies, planting flower pots, stamping with fabric paint on adorable little aprons, playing in the sprinkler, getting the Play-Doh out every…single…day. And added bonus, grandma is free! Ummmm…where do I sign up and how many sessions are you offering this summer?
Local Parks and Recreation Departments - Parks and Rec departments typically put out an online catalog or even a printed one you can peruse to find a summer class or day camp. Sometimes, national companies that specialize in STEAM activities will join up with local departments to put on programs and courses. You’ll find those listed in the summer catalog as well. This is also a great place to look for instructional camps for some of those important life skills like swimming or bicycle safety.
Arts centers and museums - Check out the websites and social pages of cultural centers and museums in your area for any summer offerings geared towards kiddos. If you’re lucky enough to have a botanical garden or arboretum in your area, look there as well. Many of these places offer a few workshops over the summer for little kids or adult-child pairings. Take the class and then stick around to explore the sight afterward. It’s a great way to engage with what your area has to offer.
Your public libraries - Libraries often step up programming to coincide with their summer reading programs. Think storytimes, arts and crafts projects both in-person and take-and-make, special guests programs (my mind was literally blown by a magician I once saw in our library’s auditorium), and the like. Make sure and grab some new reading material while you’re there as well.

Things to keep in mind

The registration policy - So…what happens if your cousin from Nebraska shows up for an unannounced visit or your child gets a stomach bug the morning camp starts? Is there a refund policy? Can you exchange for a different class? Or are you simply out the registration fee? Planning months in advance can be dicey. Make sure you’re comfortable with whatever policies are in place regarding refunds or exchanges.
Camp and class safety - Be comfortable asking any organization (especially one to which you are sending your child independently) what policies and practices they have in place for keeping all participants healthy and safe. (What’s their inclement weather plan if camp is held outdoors; Are instructors trained in first aid; What’s the child to staff ratio, etc.) A good camp should expect questions from parents on these topics as well as have protocols in place.
Parent needs - Oh right…parents matter, too in the ol’ summer schedule. Say you find a great activity but it’s a 25 minute drive each way. Well, that may not be the most relaxing for either of you. Or, if pickup and drop-off conflict with your work schedule then that’s a no-go as well. Keep the logistics as well as your own preferences and needs in mind when you’re enrolling for summer activities. If you end up creating a crazy stressful dash each day, that’s not going to be much fun for anyone.
Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good - There’s no one perfect schedule or perfect activity for your kiddos. Your first choice might fill up. Your second choice might fill up, too. But you know what? Last time I checked, there weren’t any offerings for toddler camps like Sharpening Rusty Knives or Waiting Patiently at the Dinner Table While Grownups Discuss Local Politics. Chances are, your kiddo is going to be both safe and engaged no matter what camp or activity they land in this summer.
Factor in downtime - Remember the last time you started a new job? It was exciting, right? But also a little stressful. There were all new people and dynamics to take in, a whole new system of how things worked, and a different schedule. The office looked unfamiliar as well. (Who the heck knew where the nearest bathroom was or even the best time of day to use it?) Now imagine doing that every week. That’s what it can feel like to a kiddo bouncing from camp to camp. And sure, they may be involved in all sorts of things that they love doing (a whole day camp dedicated to the culture and music of Encanto? Oh hell yes, we will be talking about Bruno.) But it can be emotionally challenging to say the least, especially for a young person. So keep this in mind while you make plans and schedule in downtime as well.

So there you go! One perspective on summer plans with kiddos. And as I’m looking at my weather app telling me the “feels like” temperature is 11 degrees BELOW ZERO, well, summer can’t get here soon enough. Pick and choose from our advice above and put a summer schedule in place that works for you. And remember, it’s good for kiddos to get a little bored as well. Factor in plenty of unscheduled time to experience a taste of quintessential summer - languishing in the grass while watching clouds, getting so bored they invent a new game, drawing with sidewalk chalk, or trying to eat a popsicle before it melts. And as high stakes as piecing together a schedule feels, remember, it’s summer. Don’t stress too much; it’s supposed to be fun!