Kids Bored at Home? Find Kid-Friendly Events in Your Community

It’s amazing how kids can claim they are bored when they have a room full of toys. And there’s often a backyard that looks like a playground. However, kids crave new experiences. They fulfill the need for exploration and socialization. That is why it is always important to have a running list of activities for the “bored” kids in your life. Create a fun-packed calendar by looking for activities happening right there in your own community.

Search Your Community’s Website

Today most communities have websites. And a calendar of events is usually just a few clicks away. Head to your city or neighborhood website. You will likely find seasonal events that are free for your community such as a party celebrating a new park opening. From volunteer opportunities to school festivals and holiday parades, you can always find something happening around town that will help keep your kids busy.

Check Out What’s Happening at Day Camp

There is never a dull moment at summer day camp. Attending one of the many camp events available lets you meet your child’s best friends and their parents. The casual atmosphere at day camp makes it easy to mingle with your neighbors. Themed events that encourage dressing like a superhero or taking a step back into the days of the wild west make it easy to get your kids excited about enjoying some family time. The best part is that you will have fun at these events since there are always other parents to talk to as your kids run and play.

Expose Your Kids to The Local Arts and Culture

Throughout the year, community cultural centers offer special events to encourage kids to learn more about art and science. For example, your library may host a summer reading club. Or the local art museum may plan craft activities for kids on certain days. Zoos, planetariums and science museums are a few more fun places to check out. Some communities also host street festivals. They highlight local artists and musicians. And the low-key atmosphere is a great place to introduce kids to culture without disrupting others.

Create Your Own Community Event

When all else fails, you can always host an event on your own. Just invite your kids and their friends to do one of their favorite activities. Consider hosting a birthday party at day camp. All the neighborhood kids can play laser tag or hop on bumper boats. Alternatively, you could take your kid’s team to a ropes course so that they can strengthen their confidence and cultivate better teamwork skills.

Having a few boredom busters in your parenting tool kit is an absolute must. And your kids benefit from getting out in the world. They can learn new concepts and skills to help them reach their full potential. With vacation break just around the corner, now is the time to start planning for exciting, wholesome activities that will satisfy your kid’s need for constant stimulation.

Let your kids enjoy day camp fun at Maplewood Summer Day Camp. Experienced staff will keep your child both safe and busy with arts and crafts, games, water sports, gymnastics and more. Visit the site at http://maplewoodyearround.com/summer-camp/summer-camp-activities/  to see the fun your child will have at Maplewood Summer Day Camp.

Bicycle Safety Tips for Kids

Warm weather is coming up, with all the wonderful promise of sunny days spent playing at overnight summer camp, building sand castles at the beach and getting outside to enjoy the magical freedom of bicycle riding.

While everyone can agree that bikes and kids go together like peas and carrots, as Forrest Gump would say, it’s vitally important that kids of all ages learn and adhere to basic cycling safety rules. 

Injuries incurred while riding a bike account for more injuries in youngsters between five and 15 than any other sport. Don’t let your child be a statistic; teach him the rules of the road and have a safe, fun-filled summer.

Always Wear a Helmet

Not even the shortest little cruise around the driveway should taken without a properly fitting bike helmet. You can buy them at discount stores, sports outlets or bike shops; however, at a cycling shop you’re more likely to get some help with proper fit. If a helmet’s too tight, your child may just sling it over the handle bars once you’re out of sight, and if it’s too loose, it won’t provide proper protection.

Light It Up

Lights and reflective gear are another important part of bike safety, especially at the dangerous times of like dusk and after dark. Bikes should be equipped with reflectors and both white front and red rear lights. Estimated to reduce the risk of being hit by a car by roughly 85 percent, reflectors are cheap and easy to install. A pulsating rear light is a great safety feature, as it’s immediately visible to cars approaching from the rear. A headlamp will help your child avoid obstacles; even a tiny bump can unseat a rider.

See and Be Seen

Even if your child’s bike is properly equipped with lights and reflectors, bike clothing itself should be highly visible. Contrary to popular wisdom, white hasn’t been found to make a rider more visible; bright, neon or fluorescent colors are much better options whether riding in daylight or darkness. Clothing should also have light reflecting components like reflective markings, tape or even flashing lights.

Make Adjustments

Make sure your child’s bike is property adjusted to height and arm length. Have your youngster stand over the bike; there should be one to two inches between child and top bar on a road bike and three to four inches on a mountain bike. Seat should be level and the knee should be slightly bent when the leg is extended, and the handlebars should be at the same level as the bike seat.

Tune It Up

Especially before the first ride of the year, make a safety check of your child’s bike, or teach him how to do so. It’s a great idea to take the bike into your local bike shop for a spring-time tune-up; mechanics will make sure everything’s in working order so there won’t be any unpleasant surprises on that first trip down the hill to the playground. Make sure tires are properly inflated and brakes are working.

Take a Class

As spring approaches, many police departments, fire districts, schools and community centers conduct bike safety classes, so keep an eye on the local papers for a class in your neighborhood. Most are held in spring, so you can squeeze it in before your youngster heads off to sleepaway camp. Kids bring their own bikes and instructors go over rules of the road and other safety guidelines.

Follow the Rules of the Road

Kids should know to ride in the same direction as other vehicles, following the flow of traffic, and obey all traffic roads, including traffic signs and signals. At least one hand should be on the handlebars at all times. Teach your youngster to use signals, look before turning and watch for parked cars. Happy cycling!

Let your kids enjoy the experience of summer day camp at Maplewood Summer Day Camp. Experienced staff will keep your child both safe and busy with arts and crafts, games, water sports, gymnastics and more. Visit the site at http://www.maplewoodyearround.com to see the fun your child will have at Maplewood Summer Day Camp.

Questions to Consider In Selecting a Summer Day Camp

Are you considering on enrolling your child to a summer day camp? There are many factors to consider when choosing the ideal camp for your kids. Essentially, word of mouth and recommendations are the best meaningful resources when looking for a camp for your children. The camp’s reputation is another thing to consider. But when all factors are taken into account, your kids’ interest should be the paramount consideration when choosing a summertime campsite.

Summer day camps offer more than just hiking, trekking, or canoeing. They provide a good starting point for life-long friendships, awesome experiences, fun-filled activities, and a lifetime’s worth of joyful memories. Wouldn’t you want that for your kids? Ask your kids: would they want to experience that kind of fun and laughter? It’s highly probable that they would love to do that.

One of the most important questions to raise when choosing the ideal summertime campsite for your kids is what are its advantages or benefits?

Day camp during summer is a good starting point for teaching kids the important life lessons. The experience imparts them with wisdom that they can use for the rest of their lives. With these camps, they get to meet other people, they get to roam and play around, and more importantly, they become disconnected from their computer games or TV. It is a great environment where they can swap stories, engage in conversation, participate in games, and just enjoy with other people’s company. It’s fun in a natural setting.

Perhaps the biggest factor to the delight of these kids is that these camps are usually a no-parent zone. Imagine the freedom they will enjoy for the next couple of days or weeks that they are in these camps.

But being away from the parents is not a bad thing. In fact, it can be a wonderful learning experience for them. When these kids are separate from their homes, they tend to become more independent and resilient. They learn how to do things on their own. And this is where summer camp administrators step in; they can guide and supervise these kids as they do about their way independently in these campsites.

If you or your kids have some concerns or apprehensions regarding life in these camps, that is normal. But for your peace of mind and comfort, it is highly recommended that you speak with the camp administrators. Perhaps you have some questions in mind that you would like to raise. Here are some of the commonly raised questions when selecting a summertime day camp for kids:

Camp Schedule

• What dates to summer camp start and end?
• When is the closing date for submission of applications for prospective attendees?
• Is there a flexible schedule available?

Camp Fees

• How much does it usually cost to attend a summer day camp?
• What does the tuition fee include? Does it cover for meals, transportation, etc.?
• What is the manner of payment?
• Are scholarships available?
• Will the camp refund in case the child is not able to attend the camp?

Camp Safety and Health Concerns

• Are there enough camp personnel to watch over the kids?
• Are counselors trained in CPR or first-aid?
• Can the camp handle emergencies?

Camp Personnel and Staff

• What is the ratio between the camping kids and the staff?
• Does the camp administrators perform background check on all its personnel and staff?

Other Questions

• Will adequate housing, bedding, and food be provided?
• Is there adequate assistance available for kids with special medical needs?

Let your kids enjoy the experience of summer day camp at Maplewood Summer Day Camp. Experienced staff will keep your child both safe and busy with arts and crafts, games, water sports, gymnastics and more. Visit the site at http://www.maplewoodyearround.com to see the fun your child will have at Maplewood Summer Day Camp.

Importance of Play Among Children

Play's importance is so great to youngsters that it has sometimes been called the work of childhood. Throughout history, kids have spent many happy - and actually very productive - hours at this seemingly insignificant pass time. Whether inventing imaginary scenarios with friends and siblings, taking pretend journeys with parents, playing tag at summer day camp or racing free in the neighborhood, play allows kids to develop in an incredible variety of ways. Kids at day camp have an amazing opportunity to spend happy hours in the sunshine playing with friends while also giving their creativity, health and social skills a big boost. Read more