Family Fun during Summer Break – Tips to Maintain Good Mental Health
It’s July, school’s out and families are planning creative activities to replace the school structure with fun and engaging activities for children during summer break.
Here are some fun tips for kids to help them stay “mentally healthy” and on top of their school “smarts.”
- Read. It is essential to encourage your child to pick up a book (or a few). A study by The Reading Agency indicates nonacademic reading allows for better parent-child communication, increased self-esteem and empathy, reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression, and improved overall wellbeing.
- Plan activities. Structured activities have been shown to improve mental resiliency by allowing kids to interact with others and develop a sense of independence.
- Get outside. Even a bike ride or walk around the neighborhood ignites all of the senses, increases Vitamin D, boosts body confidence and improves nonverbal communication.
- Turn off the TV and get active. Exercise encourages the brain to release endorphins (“feel good” hormones), especially in the summer when heat can put stress on children. Swimming is a great source of exercise and mood improvement.
- Craft. Crafts are great indoor alternatives which promotes confidence, concentration and self-awareness.
- Family Time. Unfortunately, very few parents can take off the entire summer; however, as little as a few hours of “family fun time” of board games and family dinners can increase mental health. Check your local newspapers and magazines for a list of free family activities or check out this list of ideas for free or inexpensive summer activities.
Additional Tips:
- Maintain a structured schedule • Create a visual calendar for upcoming plans and events
- Uphold academic year boundaries • Have Fun (Cheap Summer Family Fun)
