• Establish safety rules and guidelines for your children, such as washing hands regularly, wearing masks in public, and social distancing.
• Ensure your home is safe for your children by checking all possible hazards and installing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
• Introduce them to creative activities that mix learning with entertainment, such as cooking or baking recipes from different cultures.
• Balance out their day by limiting screen time and giving them chances to participate in low-tech activities.
The summer months allow children to explore their world, learn new skills, and play with friends. But with the Covid-19 pandemic still on, it’s hard to know how much of that exploration can be done safely—especially if you’re trying to keep your family safe by staying home. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to keep your children entertained while keeping them safe and healthy.
1. Set Up Safety Rules & Guidelines
The first step in ensuring your kids have a fun and safe summer is setting up safety rules and guidelines. Make sure everyone in the house understands what activities are allowed (or not allowed) during the summer months. Have open conversations about the importance of washing hands regularly, wearing masks when venturing out into public spaces, and social distancing from people outside of their household.
Washing Hands
Because there is an increased risk of spreading germs during summer, reinforce proper hand-washing techniques with your kids. Make sure they know how to wash their hands correctly, such as scrubbing for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. Make sure they understand that hand-washing is not just for when they use the restroom but should also be done before and after eating, playing outside, or touching any surfaces with germs.
Wearing Masks
Many people no longer wear masks in open spaces. But during the summer months, it’s still important to wear a mask in public, especially in enclosed spaces. Explain to your children why masks are essential and how wearing ones can help protect them and their friends from germs. Remind your children to wear a mask when they’re near sick people.
Social Distancing
Although social distancing may be difficult for kids to understand, explain the concept in simple terms. Explain that it can help keep them safe from germs and that it’s important to maintain a distance of at least six feet from people who are not in their immediate family.
Summer Activities
When it comes to specific activities, decide which ones will be best for your family this summer based on safety guidelines from local health authorities. If you have access to a backyard or local park where social distancing is possible, consider allowing outdoor playdates between children from the same households. Swimming is another great way to stay cool in the heat while keeping distance from others.
2. Keep Them Safe Inside the Home
Although most children will want to spend most of their time outside, there are still plenty of ways to keep them entertained and safe inside the home. Have your kids help you around the house by assigning household chores. This can give them a sense of responsibility and help with the development of their skills.
But you should also ensure that your home is the safest environment for your kids. Check all the outlets, cords, and other potential hazards in the home and make sure they are out of reach. If electrical wires are exposed, make sure they are covered or replaced. You should call a professional emergency electrician to do a safety check if necessary. They can also help you install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, which are essential for every home.
3. Keep Them Engaged With Learning & Fun Activities
At-home learning doesn’t need to be boring! Make things interesting by incorporating plenty of new activities into their day-to-day life. If they’re tired of playing board games or watching movies all day long, get creative and create some fun projects that mix learning with entertainment. Try introducing them to cooking or baking recipes from different cultures around the world. This can be an educational way for them to learn about different foods without ever leaving home.
Additionally, it’s no secret that screens offer hours upon hours of entertainment—but too much screen time can be detrimental for young minds (as well as eyesight!). Balance out their day by limiting how much time they spend on digital devices daily. Give them plenty of chances throughout the day to participate in low-tech activities like drawing or reading books; these activities help encourage creativity while giving their eyes a break from staring at screens all day long!
Keeping kids safe during this unprecedented time isn’t easy, but there’s no reason why it has to mean endless boredom over summer vacation, either! With some careful planning ahead of time and creative thinking afterward, you can ensure that your child has the most enjoyable (and safest!) summer break ever while still having enough downtime away from screens too!