Summer break can be a lot of fun for kids, but it can also be a challenge, especially for kids with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Summer vacation presents both challenges and opportunities for kids with ADHD and their parents. Without the structure of the school year, it can be easy for them to get bored and frustrated. But summer is also a great time to channel their energy into positive and productive activities. By providing a balance of structure and flexibility, you can help your kiddo thrive over the summer while keeping their minds engaged. In this blog post, I’ll share 10 fun summer activities that are designed to help kids with ADHD stay focused, creative, and having fun. I’ve seen these activities work really well with the kids in my practice as a child psychiatry nurse practitioner, and I think you’ll like them too!
1. Explore Nature with Outdoor Adventure Activities Kids with ADHD often thrive in natural environments where they can move freely and explore new sights and sounds.
Hiking: Plan family hikes on local trails or nature reserves. Encourage your child to identify plants, insects, or birds along the way.
Nature Scavenger Hunt: Create a list of natural items for your child to find, such as a pinecone, bird feather, or wildflower.
Geocaching: Join a global treasure hunt using GPS coordinates to find hidden geocaches.
2. Practice Mindfulness through Gardening Gardening is a therapeutic activity that helps children focus and stay calm while nurturing their creativity. These activities can also keep kids busy at home.
Grow a Garden: Create a small garden plot or use containers to grow flowers, vegetables, or herbs.
Herb Planters: Encourage your child to grow their favorite herbs in small pots and label them.
Nature Journal: Keep a nature journal to document plant growth, weather patterns, and wildlife observations.
3. Enroll in Structured Summer Camps or Clubs Structured environments with clear schedules can help kids with ADHD feel secure and stay on track.
Specialty Camps: Look for summer camps that specialize in kids with ADHD or offer activities aligned with their interests.
Sports Camps: Enroll your child in sports camps to burn off energy while learning teamwork skills and getting physical exercise.
STEM Camps: STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) camps are great for kids who love building, experimenting, or coding.
4. Engage in Creative Arts and Crafts ProjectsCreative activities like arts and crafts can help kids with ADHD express themselves while improving focus.
DIY Crafts: Create DIY crafts using household items or natural materials like pinecones and stones.
Drawing and Painting: Set up an art station with drawing or painting supplies for your child to explore their imagination.
Pottery or Clay Modeling: Allow your child to mold and shape clay or playdough into different forms.
5. Encourage Physical Activity with Sports and Games Physical exercise is crucial for children with ADHD, helping them release energy and improve concentration.
Swimming: Swimming is excellent for burning energy while providing sensory feedback.
Obstacle Course: Create an obstacle course in the backyard or park using cones, ropes, and hoops.
Team Sports: Enroll your child in team sports like soccer, basketball, or baseball.
6. Develop Problem-Solving Skills with Board Games and Puzzles Board games and puzzles can help improve focus, patience, and problem-solving skills.
Strategy Games: Play strategy games like chess, Risk, or Settlers of Catan.
Puzzle Challenges: Provide jigsaw puzzles or brain teasers like Rubik’s cubes or logic puzzles.
Card Games: Teach your child card games like Uno, Go Fish, or Crazy Eights. Try Spot it! to improve observational skills.
7. Explore the World of Coding and RoboticsCoding and robotics engage kids with ADHD in a hands-on, problem-solving environment.
Online Coding Courses: Enroll your child in online coding courses tailored to their skill level.
Build Robots: Invest in robotics kits like LEGO Mindstorms or VEX Robotics.
Scratch Programming: Introduce your child to Scratch, a visual programming language for creating games and animations.
8. Read Together with Audiobooks or Storytime Reading can be a challenge for kids with ADHD, but audiobooks or interactive storytelling can make it enjoyable.
Audiobooks: Listen to age-appropriate audiobooks together while relaxing or drawing.
Storytime Games: Turn storytime into a game by asking questions or creating alternate endings.
Comic Books or Graphic Novels: Provide comic books or graphic novels with engaging visuals.
9. Practice Mindfulness through Yoga and Meditation Yoga and meditation are excellent for calming the mind and improving self-regulation.
Kids Yoga Videos: Follow yoga videos designed specifically for kids.
Guided Meditation Apps: Use guided meditation apps like Headspace or Calm Kids to help your child relax.
Breathing Exercises: Practice simple breathing exercises together, like deep belly breathing.
10. Learn Life Skills through Cooking and ChoresInvolving kids with ADHD in everyday tasks can help them learn responsibility and time management.
Cooking Together: Teach your child basic cooking skills by preparing simple recipes together.
Meal Planning: Let your child plan and shop for a family meal.
Chore Chart: Create a chore chart with specific tasks like feeding pets, cleaning rooms, or folding laundry.
Conclusion Summer can be a challenging time for parents of children with ADHD, but with the right activities, it can also be an opportunity for growth and creativity. By incorporating these 10 engaging summer activities into your plans, you can help your child stay focused, explore new interests, and develop valuable life skills.
Remember, every child with ADHD is unique. Experiment with different activities and adjust your approach based on what your child enjoys and responds to best. With patience, creativity, and structure, you can help your child thrive over the summer and beyond.