How can I keep my kids from becoming screen zombies?

Dear Grace,

School’s out for the summer and I need some help figuring out how to entertain my kids all summer. Day camp was too expensive, but I’m worried that I’m too late to find a good alternative. When I asked some other moms from my son’s class, they looked shocked that I hadn’t made plans for him already.  What are some budget-friendly ways I can keep them busy instead of parking them in front of the TV for 3 months? 

– Screen Queen In Scranton

Dear Screen, 

I hear the day camp costs argument. Camp fees are (and have been) on the rise, and the few stipends and scholarships available start filling up by early Spring. You aren’t the only parent struggling to find an affordable way for your kid to have a great summer. 

You’re smart to look for ways to keep your children active and social over these warm, memory-making months. Our early years are when we learn fundamental social skills, and having some  structure in the  summer makes for an easier transition back to school in the fall.

I wish we had a public option for summer activities, like we have public school, or at least more support so that camps were accessible to all kids. That would make life so much easier on working parents and ensure no kids fall behind in the summer. 

In the meantime, here are a few leads to help your kids have a fun, active summer:

• Lean on your community. Every town has partially funded, free, and cheap programs. Dig for any open spots, even if you have to look for random days of the week or later summer dates. Smaller operations are sometimes less expensive and have more openings. Don’t overlook local mom groups on social media–they are often brimming with local mom-run businesses looking to fill classes and camps. 

• Let Google be your event planner. Create a Google Search Alert for free kids activities in your town (for example, Scranton kid’s events) and get new search results delivered to your inbox. Check the links when you see them come in and sign those kids up fast. 

• Help your child build their own schedule. You didn’t mention your kids’ ages, but this could be a good chance for them to strengthen their independence by creating their own summer schedules with activity blocks that you agree on (an hour for reading, 30 minutes for chores, an hour for art or music, an hour outside, etc.). My mother always responded to my complaints of boredom with “necessity is the mother of invention.” Encourage your kids to find creative ways to stay busy with supplies that you can pick out together at the craft store or even collect on a walk around the neighborhood. 

Just because you didn’t rush to get your kids into day camp doesn’t mean there are no good times to be had this summer. I hope these tips help get you started, I’m eager to see what other creative ideas our community has to offer. 

<3 Grace