by Matt Moore

Created on: June 10, 2009   Last Updated: June 16, 2009

With school out for the summer, many of us parents will be hearing the inevitable, "I'm bored, and there is nothing to do". Or, "this summer is going to be no fun". Faced with this dilemma, parents must find a way to keep kids active, and their minds stimulated.

It takes a little creativity to find activities to get your child involved in, especially if both parents work full time. Summer camps are great way to keep children entertained and active instead of sitting in front of the TV playing video games. Here are some ideas parents can consider for there children.

If you have young children, most school districts will partner with the YMCA to offer a day camp usually held at the school. Activities include a different theme each week, kids usually have to bring a sack lunch, there will be arts and crafts, physical activities, a once a week trip to the local pool, and the end of the week, they usually take a field trip to a place that goes along with the theme of the week.

Another idea parents may consider is if your child is into sports. Most colleges, universities, and even high schools offer a sports camp. The best way to find these are to go to the particular schools athletic web site, and they will list there sports camps from football being the most popular, baseball, basketball, softball, to golf, swimming, tennis for boys and girls. Younger kid's sports camps are day camps. When you get to junior high and high school, they will offer overnight camps where you stay in the dorms. At these camps, kids will be instructed by the schools coaches for there particular sport. It can be exciting especially if you go to a major university. It is a good way to get athletic training from some of the best in there sport.

There is also the traditional summer camps were kids will stay in a cabin, and can choose from a variety of different activities including swimming, boating, and rock climbing. There will be hikes in to the woods, campfires at night, and even fishing. This is a good option for the outdoors type. And a great way to meet new friends.

For those children into the arts and science most colleges and universities offer band camps, theater camps, computer camps, as well as forensic science, and archaeological camps. These types of camps will keep the child's mind stimulated.

Most camps usually run for one to two weeks at a time, which still leaves the dilemma of how to keep children entertained at home. My suggestion is to keep a lot of outdoor activities available. Some of the favorites are badminton, lawn darts, croquet, and wiffleball, an all-time favorite among kids. And if you can't afford to put a pool in your back yard, kids would still enjoy the inflatable pools, and an all-time favorite slip and slide. Even running through the sprinkler and having water gun fights and water balloon fights will keep children entertained.

When it comes to summer fun, put some creativity in to it. Think about the things you liked to do as a kid. Most likely your children will like it too. This will keep us parents from losing our sanity until we can drop them back off at school again.

Learn more about this author, Matt Moore.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.