4 Productive Summer Break Activities Perfect for Rainy Days

Summer break means picnics, bike rides, ball games, trips to the pool and other outdoor fun you’ve been waiting to get back into. But, not every day has perfect weather, and there will be inevitable rainy days to contend with. So, what do you do with the kids then? Rather than staying cooped up in the house in front of the TV, use rainy days to take care of some of those little things that get put to the wayside or forgotten about. Looking for some ideas? Here are four to get you started.

Encourage reading

You probably encourage your kids to read regularly throughout the year, but it’s one of those things that can be easily forgotten about over the summer. If your child’s school doesn’t have a summer reading list established, sign up for a summer reading program at your local public library. Or, consider putting one together yourself before vacation starts. Throw in some fun books of their choice so you can establish reading as an enjoyable activity rather than a chore.  It will keep your child’s mind active and their reading skills sharp. If you have younger children, it’s also a great opportunity to observe their reading habits and see if you notice them squinting or holding the book too close to their face. These are indications that they may need prescription eyeglasses.

Catch up on appointments

If your kids don’t have any major health problems, they probably only see doctors a few times throughout the year for routine well child exams or when they’re sick. If you end up with down time over summer break, it’s a great opportunity to catch up on doctor visits you’ve been putting off. Whether you’ve been meaning to take them to see a specialist for a particular issue, visit the dentist for a cleaning or haven’t had their eyes checked by an optometrist in a while, it’s much easier to find time for these appointments when you don’t have a school schedule to work around.

Do volunteer work

Have you been meaning to do volunteer work but never seem to find the time? A rainy summer day is your chance to do it! Places like animal shelters, soup kitchens and other charity organizations are always looking for people to help out. Not only is it an activity you’ll feel good about doing, but it’s also a chance to introduce your child to volunteerism and give them a sense of what it means to give back and why it’s important.

Focus on existing hobbies or establish new ones

With busy schedules, homework, chores and everything else the average kid has to do these days, hobbies can sometimes get put on the back burner. Encourage your child to use the time during summer break to focus on their hobby. Whether it’s playing an instrument, making models or creating artwork, it’s important that they take the time to develop their interests. Who knows, their hobby may later end up becoming their career.

Of course summer is a time when you’ll be mainly be encouraging your kids to go outside and play, especially in regions where warm weather doesn’t happen year-round and you want to take advantage of it when you can. But, keep these suggestions in your back pocket when a rainy day hits and you want to use your time productively.

Post is sponsored by LensCrafters.