The kids are out and the challenge begins – what will they do with their Summer? Whether you’re a working parent or stay-at-home, you want to keep them involved, minds stimulated and skills developing. But, you don’t want to make their vacation boring or an extension of school. Where’s the compromise?

Sadly, many kids become addicted to the “visual valium” of video games and other t.v.-centric hobbies. You can almost see their brain waves slowing as the pool of drool collects below their gaping mouths. But it seems to be an easy solution to the alternative where idle minds create little rascals.  Here are some ideas to keep the kids busy:

• Summer camps hold a great resource and there’s one for every interest from art to zoology. Lessons in music, swimming and various sports leagues also abound. BUT these often have a cost or a commitment that may not fit in with your budget or schedule.
• Dare I make an old-fashioned suggestion? Ban all electricity during daylight hours.  While the sun is shining, the back yard can present limitless possibilities. The bigger the yard, the bigger the list. Here’s a “flow chart” that can be used as an example to get you thinking in the right direction. Each of these steps can be an activity on their own and expand into a Summer-filling occupation:
• Build a fort. No trees? Pitch a tent.  With your fort/tent, establish a club. Even if you’re the only member, it’s an elite membership.
• As a founding member, devote your existence to studying wildlife – even insects hold mystery Draw the wildlife once you find it. Make it a point to draw at least one new creature each day.  Create a journal of your discoveries. Make notes on their behavior.   Develop characters based on your studies. Write stories for them.
• Illustrate your stories. Those illustrations can become a comic strip.  The comic strip can become a comic book.  Learn how to improve your illustrations/studies/writing with the right materials.  Publish your works and become a world-renowned author and speaker.  Okay the last one may be a stretch, but then again, maybe it isn’t!

In short, don’t accept “I’m bored” or “I don’t wanna” as options. Kids have limitless energy and enthusiasm. We should channel it into awesome accomplishments. I can guarantee that you’ll make memories and the products will be priceless to their adult versions.

The more you “force” a child to use their imagination, the more you’ll find they have an endurance for the process – and it grows like any other habit. It also develops their motivation towards projects of their own. I remember spending countless hours developing my own comic strips – year-round occupation that has turned into my company’s mascot, Friday (www.tgitsfriday.com)

Of course concessions can be made on rainy days or when relatives visit, but you may find that once the habits have been formed, you’ll not only see your electric bill drop but maybe even grades improve when they’re back to school in the Fall. Not to mention, there’s something about holistic brain development – which includes the arts as a necessary component – that impacts achievement (take that, standardized testing!)

(For more ideas, supply lists and specific challenges, contact “Mr. G.” at TAG Art via email to “info@tagartcompany.com”)