Woo hoo! School is out (or will be sometime during the month), and June is filled with the promise of summer fun, family togetherness, vacations, outdoor picnics, and leisure! It's not too hot yet in most parts of the country, and warm, sunny temperatures just beg for twilight strolls, swimming, sleepovers, and picnics. Jump on in and relish the endless array of activities.
It seems like everyone is watching their budgets more carefully nowadays, and a day out with kids can really cost a lot of moolah if spending isn't held in check. But it doesn't have to be that way. Here are 10 places to look for FREE fun, entertainment and enrichment beyond the ever-popular neighborhood parks for kids to turn those complaints of "what a bore" into "let's do more!"
Before you send your child off for what you hope is a
wonderful camp experience, make sure you do your homework and ask a lot of questions and to the research first. Don't forget to determine whether the facility/staff has in place appropriate written health guidelines and a medical protocol in case the need arises. After all, camp safety procedures may not be needed ... until the unlikely or unthinkable event in which they become critical!
June is National Safety Month, with a focus being on activities that address the most significant reasons for unintentional injuries and deaths. Families are asked to check their emergencies preparedness plans, have a family fire drill, and make sure
kids know their phone numbers, address, and other important personal information. Parents should ask their child's care provider about their safety plans as well so that they can reinforce what to do with their kids. Remember the adage that there is no such thing as being too prepared, and responding quickly can make all the difference when seconds truly matter!
Unhealthy air conditions can put a damper on outdoor fun. Parents and providers alike should be in tune with air quality before planning outdoor activities, and especially vigilent if kids have asthma or outdoor allergies. You may be lucky enough to live in an area that is largely unaffected by ozone; however, those in urban and suburban areas won't typically escape this health risk. The good news is that ozone action alerts typically come and go, and you can always plan indoor activities until the air clears out in order to resume outdoor fun!
What kid doesn't end up with an occasional mosquito bite when playing outdoors? But mosquitos can do more than being a party buster for outdoor fun. They can also carry the potential serious illness West Nile Virus. Prepare to "fight the bite" by getting in the know about how to protect kids against mosquito bite dangers.
Child care providers are always looking for ways to stretch that shrinking dollar while providing fun and enrichment for kids in their care. The same can typically be said for parents with small kids as well. Here are money-saving ideas from parents and providers alike!
One of the most-begged for summer events by kids typically involves having a friend sleepover for the night. Sleepovers are often considered a rite of passage for youngsters; if your child is the one who is asked to spend the night, the activity means they'll need to be
ready to spend the entire night away from you! If you're the one planning a sleepover, here are ideas to make sure it is fun, memorable and sleep-worthy!
It's a tragedy you hear about every single summer: kids needlessly drown in backyard pools, lakes and even jacuzzis. Accidental drownings also occur indoors (such as bathtubs), and parents and providers need to be on the same page when it comes to water safety.
If your house is the preferred hang-out, the title may come with the extra cost of feeding the neighborhood kids along with extra consideration in providing supervision and esssentially child care. Do the pros of knowing where your kid is and what he's doing outweigh the extra costs associated with friends?
Numerous resorts and vacation hot spots offer enticing child care services, but parents should really check out the facilities and staff qualifications before leaving kids at an unknown facility. Here are places to try and things to consider before dropping off your tots!
