The child is bored, photo credit Blake Meyer

Is your child bored on a summer holiday?

It’s a time when they have full freedom to play, hang out with their friends … Should this freedom be directed at certain goals? Do you allow them all freedom or give them certain obligations during the day?

Children develop their imagination through a free game

The clock isn’t ticking, the parents are more relaxed than usual, the obligations are less and children are happier. During this period, daily content is very important. Every brain searches for “food”. That food bain can get through different games, which is very important in their growth.

 

Kids are looking for a secret place in the woods
Kids are looking for a secret place in the woods

 

Can you remember your summertime holiday? Did you get bored? Where did you play and what did you do? If you are over 30 years the chances are that you played outdoors in gardens, streets, alleys, woods, fields, orchards, waste ground, in-between spaces, and secret places. Think about what your child wants to do in his/her free time.

 

Swimming pool, toys, friends, fun...
Swimming pool, toys, friends, fun…

 

Children love to play, and play often mirrors what is important in their lives. When asked about play children talk about having fun, being with friends, choosing activities themselves, and being outdoors. Play can be quiet or noisy, messy or orderly, funny or serious, strenuous or effortless. It can take place inside or outside and develops as children grow and change. Children play for different reasons. Sometimes they are exploring or learning new things. At other times they are consolidating existing learning or practicing a skill. Play can also be a way of building or strengthening a relationship.

 

Games with friends, parents, exploring in the forest, getting to know natural assets...
Games with friends, parents, exploring in the forest, getting to know natural assets…

 

You can always visit the library, find an adventure book, a place under the tree, spend time with your child.

 

Reading a book in the woods
Reading a book in the woods

 

Painting inside might happen on easels or tables but outside can take place on many different surfaces with a range of different materials. Painting with large brushes and water enables children to cover large surfaces, to paint up high or down low. This encourages free shoulder movements and the confidence to make large bold movements that might not be possible indoors. Build a castle, a garage from waste/wood/blocks, materials that you have from the yard.

 

Children´s work made of different materijals
Children´s work made of different materijals

 

Play materials associated with indoors can be experienced on a much larger scale outdoors, offering a substantially different experience. For example, children might experience a small plastic water pump or water wheel in indoor water play. But outside they can experience a large scale pump or water wheel offering a richer range of experiences with more opportunities for collaboration and problem-solving.

 

Kids are pumping water
Kids are pumping water

 

Make a Fruit Party, Invite Kids, Have Fun, Organized Fruit Decoration Competition

 

The forest, picnic for kids
The forest, picnic for kids

 

Make Cakes Together, Invite His/Her Friends, Play Social Games…

 

Mother and daughter cook together
Mother and daughter cook together

 

Maybe during a break when your child is bored, it isn’t so bad for him or her. Bored develops imagination, curiosity, resourcefulness…

 

Seeding the plants with kids
Seeding the plants with kids

 

Make a plan, how to organize your own and children’s time and enjoy the summer!

Written by

Irena Canji

I am a teacher in kindergarten. I have been working with children aged from three to seven since 2000. Also, I am a mother of two kids. My son is a teenager and my daughter is going to kindergarten. My main goal through the website is to show that the process is more important than the product. In childhood, kids need to play, have fun, learn through their experience.

The content of this website is an interesting activity for children. You don't need special skills, lots of money or too much preparing.

Just smile, only positive energy, and goodwill!