Camp Cadillac: How to Survive Kid's Summer Break
When our oldest child was one year old, my sister-in-law and I decided to earn additional income for our family by creating a summer camp for 2-3 years old's. We knew the stress of parenting young kids and keeping them active and engaged during the summer. This age group seemed unserved by not having camps available. We promoted one week of fun for kids and a much-needed break for parents. Not having a childcare background, our inexperience gave us undue confidence in coordinating this venue. After one day of exhausting events, we were ready to throw in the towel. As grandparents, we are much wiser about the requirements to enjoy summer with young children. Here are some suggestions to help you entertain your children or grandchildren.
If grandchildren visit for a weekend, or a week or two, have a planned schedule of fun. To make it memorable, create a name for your camp, such as GG's Week, Nanaland, or Gramping. Our kids' summer camp at my parent's lake house was called Camp Cadillac, coined by our youngest son. Having dyslexia, he confused the word Cadillac with Kayak. The term stuck as we enjoyed cadillacing (kayaking) all summer long. You can create matching t-shirts with the camp name or logo for fun. A distinguishable shirt serves a dual purpose during field trips to easily spot members in your group.
To prepare for your time together, write a list of activities and supplies needed. When planning the schedule, always have a backup plan if the weather or temperament foils the event. It is also a good idea to discuss the goings-on with the parents. Extra precautions such as a life vest should be observed if little Johnny cannot swim. Or if Susie needs her nap promptly at 1:00 pm or will have a meltdown. Checking on food allergies and preferences should be considered. My mom would routinely ask what the kids eat, but ironically they generally preferred other foods, which were a novelty at Grandmothers. Also, depending on the activity, the parents might need to bring items such as a bike, helmet, or bathing suit. And don't forget about their favorite stuffed animal or book.
Our favorite outdoor activities are kayaking, swimming, and fishing at the lake. But you don't need a lake to have water events. Sprinklers, water balloons, and a kiddie pool can suffice. No fish? You can use pretend fish and fishing poles which might be preferred for young children. Another fun event is a bike parade, especially on the 4th of July. Let the kids decorate the bikes with streamers, balloons, bells, and more. Encourage different themes and even costumes, but don't forget the helmet. A scavenger hunt is a must for all ages. Start with little ones having an adult buddy, graduating to more challenging exploration. Check out our Can You Find, Did You Know Series Practicing Words with Smore for children 3-5 years old.
Crafts and Science experiments are fun, creative, and educational. Some you probably should keep outside like anything with sand or paint. A favorite science project is a Non-Newtonian fluid that can be made with cornstarch and water but should also be kept outdoors. Our family tended toward the science adventures like creating a volcano, hatching a praying mantis, or digging for dinosaur fossils (put pretend fossils in a sandbox to find). But googling kid's crafts brings up hundreds of creative activities. Our Funtastical Activity Journal Write and Draw Stuff book can also spur creativity for summer fun.
Having quiet time with books or journaling should be scheduled to balance the time together. Some favorite books such as Brown Bear Brown Bear What do You See, Cordory, and the Little Engine that Could should be readily available. A collection of your favorite books will bring joy to your grandchildren. Introduce new books, such as The Marshmallow Mystery, to be part of your assortment. If you didn't keep your children's books from when they were little, there is always an option to visit the library. Look for summer Storytime or other events at the library. For more book recommendations, go to our Book Club.
Bake into your camp time for field trips. There are many options for venturing out, including parks, zoos, children's museums, bowling, and movies. Our boys were fascinated by dinosaurs, so the Natural History Museum was always a must-do. However, our niece preferred the aquarium. Consult with the parent about which interest might be more suitable and plan accordingly. If you have more than one grandchild at camp, have plenty of helpers to ensure all children are accounted for.
A trip to museums or movies is also good during inclement weather. But games inside can be enjoyable, too, especially when other younger children might need a nap. Card games such as Go Fish, Memory, or Old Maid are great options. Depending on age, board games such as Candyland, Masterpiece, or Monopoly would be fun.
Movies can also be arranged for some downtime. Putting on classic movies such as 101 Dalmations, Snow White, or Cinderella might be your choice, but check with the parents first. For various reasons, those movies were a "No Watch" in our house. However, it might be allowed as a grandparent treat. My kids would watch Tom and Jerry with my dad. They were not allowed to watch TV growing up, so sitting on Grandfather's lap for time together was the exception to the rule.
With a little bit of preparation, planning, and getting parental consent, Grandparent's Camp can be a new family tradition. A fun adventure to learn more about your grandchildren, develop a lifelong bond, and experience life through the eyes of a child. The benefits for you and your grandchild are priceless.
