Any parent can tell you that having your kids home after school and having them around all day for summer vacation are two very different things. Children tend to get into all sorts of trouble if they’re idle for too long, and while you can handle them pretty well, your house might not be as well-prepared for it as you might think. Fortunately, there are plenty of things you can do to protect it, and give your kids something to do in the meantime.
The following tips are all about getting your house ready for your kids’ summer vacation by planning a lot of different activities and stocking up on materials to keep them occupied, but also by dropping a few chores on their hands so they can help around the house; after all, it’s not like you are the one with a summer vacation, right? Although, when it comes to chores, maybe you can get a summer break too.
Here’s how you can prepare your house for your kids’ summer vacation.
Get an inflatable pool for the backyard
If you have enough space in your backyard, you can save yourself many trips to wherever pools are in your town with a family-sized blow-up pool. You might think that setting one up would prove expensive enough for it to be completely out of the question, but if you factor in the convenience of making your pool parties right at home, and the sheer joy that it would bring your kids all over the summer, the thing pretty much pays for itself. If you go through with it, remember to set some rules for your children, such as only using the pool when under supervision, when it is OK for them to get in, and to finish their chores before getting in, just to name a few.
Stock up on new age-appropriate books
Does every fun summer activity around the house has to be outdoors? Not at all, especially on those days where it’s just so hot that going outside just sounds like a terrible, terrible idea! Instead, get some books that you know your kids will enjoy before the summer begins, and whip them out at least once a week over their vacation. You can also set up a cozy Bookworm Corner in your living room by cranking up the air conditioner, spreading a couple of blankets on the floor and maybe a few pillows, then letting them get lost on a good story.
Make a little chore-chart
No matter how many activities you plan for them, there will be times when your kids get idle for a little longer than they should, and that’s why you should always have a chart where all their chores are assigned for the whole duration of the summer. The chart will help them learn that house maintenance is not something to be done as a punishment or obligation, but that it’s a part of everyday life that shouldn’t be ignored, even on vacations. You can schedule a few big ones to do as a family so you can drive this point home, while also spending some time with them in a different context than usual.
Load up regularly on healthy snacks
Kids being around the house all day means that your fridge will be raided constantly, but you can always be one step ahead of them by preparing your home for long a vacation! A quick trip to the grocery store per week should let you stock up on healthy, fat-free and low-sugar snacks that your kids can either have as a daily snack or as a treat after helping you with cleaning chores. Otherwise, they might get their hands on some food they’re not supposed to be having and even potentially ruining a midweek dinner plan. If you choose to buy fruit, prepare it in a fun and creative way, such as cutting it into novelty shapes or mixing them with peanut butter (apple slices and peanut butter are always a hit).
Condition some space for physical activities
Like we’ve been saying throughout the article, children should remain active during their summer vacation, but you probably can’t spare every single day to go on an adventure with them. What you can do instead is prepare a room (or the backyard) for them to play and stay active in a safe manner. This means taking out anything they could hurt themselves with, such as a big piece of furniture they could bump into or a rug they could trip with. If you don’t have enough space for them to play, how about setting up a light exercise routine they could do alongside you? It’s a perfect way to bond with them and stay healthy yourself!
Always remember that summer vacation is a very special moment in the life of every child and that they won’t have it forever. On top of every chore, routine, and rules that you set up for this coming summer in your household, remember always to keep it fun and lighthearted for them; that’s what preparing your home for a summer vacation is all about. They’ll thank you for it once they grow up!
