10 Fun Summer Activities For Children In The New Normal

The summer of 2020 is a summer of uncertainty, and many parents are left wondering how best they can make it a fun and engaging experience for their children, specially with the restrictions of Covid-19 across geographies. Here we have made a list of various fun activities that can make this time an enriching experience for children, while following all the norms of the New Normal.

1. Python programming

Python is a programming language that provides real skills for the future.  It is used to develop software and apps in a variety of settings. Many computer programmers enjoy using python because it is easy to read and accessible even to beginners. Children interested in computers may be motivated to take up Python learning as a fun way of coding. Below are few links where children can enroll themselves for this course.

Helpful links:

 Learn Python

Learn Python Codes to Your Kids

2. Theatre and storytelling workshop

Storytelling can be a fun, playful and yet a learning exercise for children encouraging development of their social and communication skills. Children are intuitive in nature and these workshops can help spark their curiosity, intuitiveness and encourage imagination. Courtyard Playhouse allows many such workshops to be held online and in-person. You can find more details in the link below.

Courtyard Playhouse

3. Cooking and Baking projects

Bringing your children to the kitchen can be a fun and exciting experience for the whole family. You may need to prep your kitchen for the children such as keeping extra cleaning materials on hand, making it a safe zone etc. but your time in the kitchen with your kids can be a culinary adventure you will all enjoy. You can find a list of recipes to try in the links below.

Helpful links:

Click for Cooking and Baking projects

Cooking with Kids

4. Fitness Monopoly:

Who wouldn’t enjoy a classic game of Monopoly! But how about adding a few more healthy elements to the game so that it adds to your fun and deducts those extra calories you put on during the lockdown. The fitness Monopoly is a good platform for the entire family to enjoy the game while at the same time, collectively doing some working-out.  Download the fitness Monopoly board from the link below.

Download - Play the Super-fun Fitness Monopoly with your Kids at home

5. Document your time in history:

All of us are living through a significant time in history and it can be interesting for children to record their feelings, positive memories like family selfies wearing masks or photos of fun activities together, document how they spend their time during this pandemic. It will serve as a memory capsule for them and remember the positive things.

Download the ‘My 2020 COVID - 19 Time Capsule’ template from the link below.

Click here to download - My 2020 Covid-19 Time Capsule

6. Gamifying chores:

One aspect of staying home that all of us hate is doing household chores. However, there can be a way to turn chores a fun activity and also involving your children into doing them. Below are some apps that will help gamify the chores for everyone in the family and turn it into a fun activity with rewards and incentives.

Helpful links:

Habitica

Our Home App

7. Virtual tours

Whoever says we cannot visit places during a lockdown has never done a virtual tour! Virtual tours are a great way to be able to see a place without actually stepping out of the house. Through the links below, take your children to a virtual tour of the nearest museum or take a peek into the city or visit a place that is situated on the other side of the world for a lesson in history and culture.

Helpful links:

Visites-en-ligne

Dubai 360 - Etihad Museum Central Area

Dubai 360 - Aerial Gigapixel Madinat Jumeirah

8. Catch up on your reading list

While the lockdown has restricted us within the walls of our homes, it has also allowed us to be able to give some time to ourselves. One such activity which we always want to get back to but can never find time to do so is progressing with our reading list. It is also helpful to build a reading list for children and help them finish it. Head to our ‘Our New Earth’ recommended books page to find books you would like to add to your’s and your child’s reading list.

Click here for Our New Earth - Books Recommendations

9. Gardening

The backyard is like a middle ground between staying safe inside the house and at the same time wanting some fresh air. Basic gardening practices can not only help you beautify the space but can also be an opportunity to help impart a few lessons on nature. You can experiment with leftovers in your kitchen and get your children to grow home-grown fruits and vegetables. It can also be a good learning experience for them to track the growth of plants and trees in your garden.

For those who do not have a garden, the same can also be achieved with the help of some pots and plenty of soil and water, in your own balconies. You can pick up some gardening tricks from the links below.

Helpful links:

Gardening on balcony with kids

Garden activities container gardening for kids

10. Picnic or camping in the backyard

Backyard picnics or camping are safe, promotes social distancing without the hassles of actual camping sites and picnics. Below are some links to help you with the arrangements of backyard camping.

Helpful links:

Ultimate guide for backyard camping with your kids

Backyard camping/