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Summer Activities and Ideas for Families

Updated: Jul 29

By Kateri Pino, MSW Mental Health Intern

It is summer break and school is out. Summer break presents a unique opportunity for parents/caregivers to engage in activities with their children. Promoting stronger family bonds and contributing significantly to overall development. In today’s fast paced world, where demands in work, school, and extracurricular commitments often leave little room for quality family time, the summer months offer time for relaxation and enjoyment. During summer break is ideal for parents to reconnect with their children, immense themselves in shared experiences that nurture emotional well-being, intellectual growth and physical health. Engaging in summer activities not only creates lasting memories, but also plays an important role in teaching valuable life skills and reinforcing family values. As children take a break from the structured environment of school, they benefit immensely from the informal and enriching opportunities that come from spending time with their parents. The summer break is a vital period for parents to invest time and effort into activities with their children, ensuring positive and impactful experiences that contribute to their holistic development.


It is important for parents to have strong relationships and communication with their child, so they can develop emotional, social, communication and cognitive development learning skills. Spending time and doing activities with your child will form lasting memories.


Here are some activities to do with your child/ren:

  • Going to the library: to read books or attend activities

  • Hiking together: Be sure to take plenty of drinks (to stay hydrated) and snacks

  • Attending the local zoo or aquarium

  • Family bowling

  • Meet friends and their children at a local park

  • Creative art and coloring books

  • Family night and watch a family movie together

  • Make meals together

  • Do chores together, playing or singing fun music

  • Coloring

  • Using clay for creative ideas

  • Reading together

  • Education games

  • Puzzles

  • Fill bins with small toys (after play)

  • Prepare snacks or meals together

  • Build forts with blankets and pillows

  • Gardening-plant flowers or vegetables together


What are the benefits of playtime:

  • Allows your child to be creative, develop their imagination, use fine motor skills (use their fingers to complete tasks), to develop emotional, social, and cognitive skills.

  • Play helps build a healthy brain development.

  • To conquer their fears and build self-esteem.

  • Helps children to enhance competencies to build self-confidence and resiliency when facing challenges in life.

  • Playtime with others or in groups (e.g... kids playing at a park) will help build critical thinking skills, learn to share, negotiate, solve conflicts, and learn advocacy skills.



Overall parents/caregivers who interact with their child/ren during playtime support their child’s growth and strengthen the parent-child relationship and support a positive family dynamic (Ginsburg, 2007).


Enjoy summer activities with your kids by exploring local parks, attending community events and discovering new local events in Albuquerque, NM. Embrace the opportunities our town offers and enjoy the simplicity and joy of quality time together. Here’s to a summer filled with growth, fun, and connection to the community.


Here are some activities you can enjoy with children in Albuquerque, NM.

  • Tingley Beach-Near the Rio Grande Bosque, there are three ponds that families & friends enjoy and feeding the ducks at the pond. (You can take a loaf of bread to feed the ducks).

  • Paseo del Bosque Trail-16 miles of paved multi-use trails with lots of cotton wood trees along the way.

  • Petroglyph Natural Monument-Located near 1-25, you will see volcanic rock with unique symbols and designs.

  • Old Town-Shops, restaurants and entertainment for family and friends, to enjoy the Southwestern culture.

  • ABQ Bio-park-Aquarium, Botanic Garden and Zoo-Local for the community and families to enjoy during the summer days.

  • UNM Carino Lending and Resource Library-It is a great place to check out items that offers education toys, materials, books, games and video for parents to enjoy. And return items-as a toy library.

  • Sandia Peak-It is located east of I-40, take exit NM 14 on cedar crest and take left on Sandia Crest Rd. There you can enjoy the beautiful view of Central New Mexico Hiking trails and picnic tables to enjoy the outdoors.


Imagine a day spent outdoors with your family, basking in the warmth of the sun, surrounded by nature's beauty. To make the most of these memorable moments, be sure to reach out to local spots for more information. When planning your adventure, remember to bring plenty of snacks and water to stay refreshed, especially during those sizzling summer days. Don't forget to slather on the sunblock to protect your skin!


As you enjoy your time, it's crucial to leave nature as pristine as you found it. Pack up all your trash and dispose of it properly. By doing so, we set a shining example for our children, teaching them the importance of respecting and preserving our natural surroundings. Together, we can ensure our outdoor spaces remain beautiful and unspoiled for future generations. Let's cherish and protect the great outdoors, one adventure at a time!


Summer offers a unique chance to break away from the usual routines and immerse in meaningful experiences that can enhance a child development and reinforce family values. By dedicating time to be present and involved, parents can significantly impact their children’s lives, building a foundation of support and love that will benefit them for years to come.


Have fun with your children during summer break!


 

 

References

Kenneth r. Ginsburg, M. M. (2007). The Importance of Play in Promoting Health Child Development and Maintaining Strong Parent-Child Bond. Pediatrics.

 



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